Tribute to Ken Bueche

Good evening. My name is Kevin Bommer, and I am the executive director of the Colorado Municipal League — the same position Ken held for 31 years after nearly 40 years in total with the League. Let me first express my heartfelt condolences to Ken’s wonderful family and so many friends … and also to his extended family of former CML staff, board members, municipal elected officials and staff, and many others whose lives he touched

I have to say that when Ken’s family asked me if I “had five minutes” to make some remarks here today, I was a little concerned. Anyone who knows Ken is well aware that when he asked you if you “had five minutes,” you might be lucky enough to emerge from the meeting, assignment, or task anywhere between two hours to three days later. For today, I was assured that 5 minutes really means 5 minutes.

I was fortunate to be hired by Ken almost 26 years ago back in 1999, and he promoted me to be a lobbyist very shortly thereafter. I knew right away he was a man of faith because it is the only explanation of how a Fort Collins born and raised CSU Ram would ever hire a born and bred Wyoming Cowboy!

Those early years were so impactful on my career, and I would not be standing here today if it were not for Ken. While the other, more seasoned lobbyists worked very independently, Ken spent a lot of time with me. He was patient as I learned new issues, and he both challenged me and provided constructive criticism.

The only real challenge was trying to read performance evaluations, memos, and instructions scrawled with what was once a nub of a golf pencil and in handwriting that was pure hieroglyphics to my 28-year-old eyes. Things really clicked once I learned how to read it and even more when he embraced email!

Ken was a great historian of state and municipal issues and mentor to everyone. And boy, oh boy, was he committed to his staff and would stick up for us no matter what.

Although I was told by others at the time that, when it was a part of his role, Ken was a tenacious lobbyist and that no one wanted to tangle with him, I never saw it. I saw a humble leader — soft-spoken but always clear on the right direction to go and the best strategy to get there.

In total, Ken gave nearly 40 years to the Colorado Municipal League — 31 of those years as the executive director. In order to truly explain Ken’s legacy, I would need his version of “5 minutes” — but since I don’t, let me try the shorthand version.

Former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming, who recently passed away, and is another former boss of mine I loved and admired, said this when speaking at the funeral of his dear friend Pres. George H.W. Bush:

“Those who travel the high road of humility are not bothered with heavy traffic.”

That was Ken. Humble to the core, which was certainly a road less traveled then, and certainly even more so now. Ken was always ready to credit staff with the wins and take responsibility for any losses — not that there were many.

But others who knew Ken even better were on to him. Gov. Dick Lamm said in 2005 when Ken retired that “Ken Bueche is a steel rod masquerading as a cupcake. 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.”

Ken’s successor and my predecessor, retired CML Executive Director Sam Mamet (another short timer who only gave 40 years to CML) said, “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.”

And the great Cathy Reynolds, former Denver City Council Member, CML president, and National League of Cities president, said Ken’s “brilliance was in his amazing talent of finding, hiring, and retaining the best staff in the state.” And I promise I didn’t just throw that in because Ken hired me!

But Ken’s humility would never allow him to acknowledge all the well-deserved respect and admiration, but you know it made him smile and certainly still does.

And in addition to the enormous legacy he leaves in the world of municipal governance, there is also the literal foundation of CML — the Ken Bueche Municipal League Building at 1144 Sherman St. in Denver that would not exist without his vision and commitment. One of the highlights of CML’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2023 was having Ken and Bernice at the Annual Conference, plus he, Bernice, and a whole lot of the family at the 25th anniversary of the building’s opening, so we could all celebrate the “House that Ken Built” with them there.

I cannot say enough how amazing the outpouring of love over these past days from those that knew and worked with Ken in his professional life has been. He touched so many and continues to be a guiding light for many, including me.

Yet … despite all of that, it is indisputable that Ken’s greatest legacy and his greatest pride is his loving family. Ken taught us all by way of example that no matter what else was going on, family and faith came first — and it is something he imbued into Sam and me and is therefore inextricably woven into the fabric of the Colorado Municipal League’s culture. To all of you — his loving family — thank you for sharing Ken with us, and I hope you know how much he changed the world we live in.

I think about Ken every day — both professionally and personally. Great leaders have that effect. What they share and teach sticks with you.

I am grateful to Ken for giving me a shot, and I am more grateful that he was both a mentor and a friend to myself and so many others and that he and Bernice have remained friends with Gabriella and me.

His stoicism and faith — and his commitment to family, good governance, and his unwavering support of those who choose to serve — remains our guiding light.

Thank you, Ken. We will miss you terribly.