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Denver Post - January 23, 2014
Dave Wattenberg, colorful member of Colorado's Cowboy Caucus, dies
By Lynn Bartels
The Denver Post
POSTED: 01/23/2014 12:01:00 AM MST
UPDATED: 01/23/2014 02:43:56 AM MST
Dave Wattenberg served in the legislature from 1983 until 2000, when term limits forced him out. He was part of the Cowboy Caucus, the group of outlying
Dave Wattenberg served in the legislature from 1983 until 2000, when term limits forced him out. He was part of the Cowboy Caucus, the group of outlying lawmakers who wielded plenty of clout by banding together on issues. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)
Former state Sen. Dave Wattenberg, a member of the Cowboy Caucus who was known for his pranks and his ability to work across the aisle, never wanted a service after his death.
Instead, knowing he was in failing health in recent months, friends were invited to come and visit with him.
They reminisced about the time he showed up with a can of Raid Yard Guard at the state facility in Mesa County where insects are bred for weed control.
Or how when former state Sen. Don Ament, a good friend, was going to be confirmed as agriculture commissioner, Wattenberg had committee members wear judges' robes while a rope dangled overhead.
Wattenberg died Monday in Lakewood. He was 73.
He was born April 4, 1940, on the ranch near Walden where his grandparents homesteaded in the 1800s. He graduated from Jackson County High School in 1958 and married Jerrilyn Barkley in 1960. They had one child, Ty. Jerrilyn died in 1986.
The Republican rancher served in the legislature from 1983 until 2000, when term limits forced him out. He was part of the Cowboy Caucus, the group of outlying lawmakers who wielded plenty of clout by banding together on issues.
"I remember we used to argue at the microphone, and when I disagreed with him, I told him I lived on a larger ranch than he did," said former Sen. Dick Mutzebaugh. "I lived in Highlands Ranch."
Stuart A. Sanderson, president of the Colorado Mining Association, recalled how after the session ended lawmakers and lobbyists would attend the Northwest Colorado Coal Conference and participate in a golf tournament arranged by Wattenberg and fellow lawmaker Jack Taylor, a Steamboat Springs Republican.
"There was less conflict then, more laughter, cowboy poets and characters, less division between urban and rural Colorado," Sanderson said.
Mary Sharon Wells was at Wattenberg's side when he died. They had been together since 1994 and were married in 2005.
"Sometime between branding season and hay season, we'll spread his ashes at North Park," she said.
Contributions in Wattenberg's name may be made to the National Western Scholarship Trust, which supports students studying agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary medicine, at 4655 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80216.
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327, lbartels@denverpost.com or twitter.com/lynn_bartels
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Vail Daily page A9 - January 24, 2014
DENVER — Former state Sen. Dave Wattenberg, a member of the “Cowboy Caucus” known for his pranks and his ability to work across the aisle, never wanted a service after his death.
Instead, knowing he was in failing health in recent months, friends were invited to come and visit with him.
They reminisced about the time he showed up with a can of Raid Yard Guard at the state facility in Mesa County where insects are bred for weed control.
Or how when former state Sen. Don Ament, a good friend, was going to be confirmed as agriculture commissioner, Wattenberg had committee members wear judges' robes while a rope dangled overhead.
Wattenberg died Monday in Lakewood. He was 73. Wattenberg represented Eagle County in the Colorado Senate through much of the 1990s until leaving office in 2000 due to state term-limit laws.
He was born April 4, 1940, on the ranch near Walden where his grandparents homesteaded in the 1800s. He graduated from Jackson County High School in 1958 and married Jerrilyn Barkley in 1960. They had one child, Ty. Jerrilyn died in 1986.
The Republican rancher served in the legislature from 1983 until 2000, when term limits forced him out. He was part of the "Cowboy Caucus", the group of outlying lawmakers who wielded plenty of clout by banding together on issues.
"I remember we used to argue at the microphone, and when I disagreed with him, I told him I lived on a larger ranch that he did," said former Sen Dick Mutzebaugh. "I lived in Highlands Ranch."
Stuart A. Sanderson, president of the Colorado Mining Association, recalled how after the session ended lawmakers and lobbyists would attend the Northwest Colorado Coal Conference and participate in a golf tournament arranged by Wattenberg and fellow lawmaker Jack Taylor, a Steamboat Springs Republican who represented Eagle County in the state senate after Wattenberg left office.
"There was less conflict then, more laughter, cowboy poets and characters, less division between urban and rural Colorado," Sanderson said.
Mary Sharon Wells was at Wattenberg's side when he died. They had been together since 1994 and were married in 2005.
"Sometime between branding season and hay season, we'll spread his ashes at North Park," she said.
Contributions in Wattenberg's name may be made to the National Western Scholarship Trust, which supports students studying agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary medicine, at 4655 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80216.
