CML says goodbye to a great leader and family man

CML family and friends are mourning the passing of Ken Bueche, retired CML executive director, who passed away Wednesday, July 16, at the age of 87 and surrounded by his family.

Ken was CML executive director from 1974-2005 and retired with nearly 40 years of total service to CML. His reputation as an attorney, advocate, and ultimately executive director of the League is legendary. 

“Ken Bueche is a steel rod masquerading as a cupcake,” joked former Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm back in 2005. “Ken knows and has always known exactly what he wanted, where his bend points were, and has a mind that can outthink and outfox most legislators I ever knew.”

Former Denver City Council Member, CML president, and National League of Cities president Cathy Reynolds said of Ken when he retired that his “brilliance was in his amazing talent of finding, hiring, and retaining the best staff in the state.”

Sam Mamet, the retired CML executive director who succeeded Ken, said in 2005, “I have never met anybody with more integrity, with a higher level of professionalism, and a commitment to public service than Ken. He is precise. Everything he does has a purpose. His analysis is on point, always.”

“For my first few years at the League, Ken was my mentor and teacher. He made me into the lobbyist I became, and his love for Colorado municipalities, home rule, local control, and the dedicated people that serve their communities was infectious,” said Kevin Bommer, CML executive director. “I owe my career to Ken. Even more cherished is how Ken and Bernice’s friendship has lasted beyond Ken’s retirement from the League.”

Bueche’s legacy will live on in many ways, especially in the Ken Bueche Municipal League Building that would not exist without his vision and commitment. The current staff, most of whom may have only met Ken but never worked for him, know that it is an honor to work in the building that he made a reality. The staff and CML board alike enjoyed being able to celebrate CML’s 100^th anniversary and especially the 25^th anniversary of the building’s opening back in 2023 with Ken, Bernice, as well as their children and grandchildren. “Ken may have poured his heart into his work, but his wonderful, lovely family always came first,” said Bommer.

Ken’s full obituary and information about his memorial service can be found here. More on Ken’s impact and legacy is planned for the October edition of Colorado Municipalities magazine.




























Former Colorado Municipal League executive directors Sam Mamet, left; Ken Bueche, center; and current CML Executive Director Kevin Bommer on March 21, 2019, at a retirement reception for Sam Mamet.


























The Ken Bueche Municipal League Building, at 1144 Sherman St. in Denver.