Pete Mattivi wasn’t a household name on the Front Range, but in Garfield County the name stood for public service.
Mattivi, who died a week ago at 103 years old, amassed an astonishing record of civic activism, having been a county commissioner for two decades, mayor of his small town of New Castle for 22 years, and a school board member for a decade.
His long list of accomplishments include having secured funding for the county library headquarters in New Castle, helping found the city’s Lions Club, and serving on the founding board of a new hospital in Glenwood Springs.
He also sold Studebakers and along with his wife, Opal, ran a filling station in town.
On the occasion of Mattivi’s 100th birthday, Rep. John Salazar submitted to the Congressional Record a tribute to Mattivi, citing his public service.
“Since his earliest days, Pete has been dedicated to helping his community,” Salazar said. “He is well-loved and respected by all who know him.”
For his part, Mattivi attributed his success as a politician to, as he put it, not being a politician.
“I tried to reach out and I think that’s what helped me,” said Mattivi, according to a Town of New Castle Newsletter from 2005.
“When you are in there serving the people, you have to listen to what they have to say. I didn’t think of it as complaints, just the starting of a good conversation. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
At a time when politicians come and go and public service is sometimes seen as a required line on a resume or college application, Mattivi stands in stark contrast.
New Castle and Garfield County are better places for his service, and we all should be inspired by his dedication.
