Speaker 0: And thank you both for for your sacrifices and commitment to the Mile High City as well. Thank you both very much. Thank you. What a wonderful proclamation. So honored to recognize a life worth of commitment to our city and our residents. And we're going to go ahead and continue with that theme. Councilmembers Cashman, Ortega and Torres, would you please read Proclamation 20 2-0218, please.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Madam President. Proclamation number 22, Dash 0218. Whereas Larry was born in Pueblo, Colorado, to Aubree and Harriet Ambrose in 1945, Aubrey owned two businesses an Army, Army, Navy surplus store and a shoe store. And whereas, Larry graduated from Pueblo Central High, attended CU Boulder as a marketing major, and attended UCLA obtaining a business and arts degree in 1968, being the first person in the country to get a degree in arts administration. And. Whereas, Larry began his career as an impresario of the arts at the age of nine, promoting the fledgling piano talents of his friend Fred Winger in a local talent contest. Fred went on to become a noted pianist. He later mangled a number of managed forgive me, managed a number of bands, including Ashgrove Club, LA's number one place for life music and managed a band. Musicians originally from San Francisco living in a commune in Walsenburg and recognized the remarkable talent of a new friend. He had made a Denver woman who had never performed in public but had a great voice. He urged her to sit in at one of his band rehearsals and give it a try. The audition didn't go particularly well, but Larry urged her not to give up. That young woman. Laney Garrett, has become one of Denver's truly legendary entertainers, largely due to Larry's early encouragement. And. WHEREAS, Larry met Jane Parker in 1972 when she showed up at the Rio Grande Saloon on Santa Fe Drive looking for good, funky music. She worked for the Denver Symphony. Jane ran into Larry again at a bar in Colorado and Evans four years later where his band was playing. And she said she remembered his eyes. Larry called her the next day to ask her out to listen to music. And whereas Jane and Larry started seeing each other regularly and she moved into his house and became a part of the commune, she told Larry she wanted to get married and he said, okay. They eloped to Reno, Nevada, along with their friends, Judy and Jack Ratelle, who also tied the knot. The Ambrose's traveled to Europe and Mexico and skiing and loved kite flying. Their home was always filled with friends, food, joy and love. Just like his family home in Pueblo. And. Whereas, from 1996 to 2014, Larry commuted back and forth to Pueblo to take care of his mother and to manage the family business. While there, he was hired as the manager of the Pueblo Convention Center and turned it into a vibrant place with concerts and artists while still managing the family business. And.
Speaker 8: Whereas, at the age of 59, Larry went to law school, earning a J.D., but was too busy with multiple jobs to study to pass the bar. And. Whereas, Larry was involved in the formation and advocacy of Denver neighborhood groups since 1973, when he and Jane started one of Denver's first Reno's Northwest neighbors. And. Whereas, in early 1980s, Larry and Frank Quintana, former DFT captain, co-founded the Jefferson Highland Sunnyside Neighborhood Association. He and Jane helped pioneer the low Hyde business district on 15th Street, where they both had businesses in 2004 and were founding members of Sloan's Lake Neighborhood Association. Where Larry served as vice president until his passing. And. Whereas, as community relations director of the Eraring campus, he wrote the policies on community use of space and more notably saved the Golda meir house from the wrecking ball when it was moved to the Ninth Street Historic District in 1988, where it was restored and named to the National Register of Historic Places. And. Whereas, Larry was a member of the Plant Area Reclamation Committee, where he advocated for a major city park in the Central Platte Valley and was subsequently subsequently appointed by Mayor McNichols as the neighborhood representative to the Central Valley Planning Committee. And. Whereas, Larry and Gertie Grant co-chaired a citywide building height control initiative that was on the ballot in 1985, he was a leader in saving historic buildings in the Highlands, in getting power lines buried in Highland Square business district. He worked with Councilman Sal Carpio in creating the Viking Park entryway into northwest Denver and establishing Denver's system of dog parks.
Speaker 7: And. WHEREAS, Larry served on numerous city planning committees and task force groups, he served on the Iron Board for nine years as secretary, vice president and president. He initiated the creation of Iron Sea's website, logo and branding. He established a record of activism and advocacy through Iron Sea resolutions to Denver City government officials and initiated at the behest of Kathleen Wells, the creation of platforms for agencies committees, starting with parks. He formed the I.N.S. Parks Designation Committee and appointed his first members. He initiated the silent auction ad agency annual awards dinners and with help from Jane Lorimer, taking the dinners to a new level of success. Larry, Larry Held Taking the dinners to a new level of success. Larry Held executive committee retreats for the first time. That included building agency's current mission statement to advocate for Denver citizens by bringing together, informing and empowering Denver neighborhood organizations to actively engage in addressing city issues. In 2021, IAC gave Larry the Lifetime Achievement Achievement Award for his work in Denver communities. And. WHEREAS, Larry recently served as executive director for the Southwest Improvement Council even through the time he was sick. Swix purpose is to improve living conditions for its residents through civic engagement, health and human service programs and affordable housing. And. Whereas, Larry enjoyed a life well lived with music, joy, purpose, meaning, connection, friendship and love. If you were a friend of Larry's, you are a friend for life. He indeed spent a lifetime of commitment to address the betterment of Denver's neighborhoods. And whereas, Larry is survived by wife of 48 years. Jane Parker Ambrose. Cousin David. And Laura Houseman of Corpus Christi, Texas, and many, many other cousins. He was laid to rest on Tuesday, February one, 2022, at Emmanuel Cemetery within Fairmount Cemetery. Now, therefore, let it be proclaimed by the Council of the City and County of Denver that the Section one that the Council of the City and County of Denver honors Larry Ambrose for his countless contributions to our community and declares today, February 14, 2022, to be Larry Ambrose Day and honors his memory. Section two that the clerk of the city and county of Denver shall attest and to fix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and a copy be provided to his wife, Jane Parker Ambrose.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Cashman. Your motion to adopt.
Speaker 7: Yes, thank you, Madam President. I move that proclamation 20 20218 be adopted.
Speaker 0: Thank you. We have it moved. And the second count? The comments by members of Council. Council Member Cashman.
Speaker 7: I will see the floor to pro Tem Torres as this is actually a district representative.
Speaker 3: Thank you so much. Thank you for being here, Jane.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 3: And thank you so much council members Cashman and Ortega for co-sponsoring on this proclamation. I think we were all pretty devastated to hear about Larry's passing and really remember him me personally, strongly as just such a dedicated neighborhood advocate. So I really do thank him. Thank you for your dedication in that space and know that he'll be missed. Oh, yeah, he will be missed.
Speaker 0: And we've got a few more people in the queue that want to speak. And so we're going to I'm.
Speaker 1: Going to make it real quick.
Speaker 0: We've got to go ahead and vote first. Okay. All right. If you want to wait for just a few moments here, we've got I thought I had seen Councilwoman Ortega. Were you in the queue? And then. Yes. Okay. We'll go ahead. And Councilwoman Ortega, go ahead, please.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Madam President. Larry is someone who was known by many people across the city. He wasn't just an activist in northwest Denver. His involvement with ANC was, you know, reflective of those citywide relationships that he had with so many people across this city. And Larry had strong opinions about a lot of things, and not everybody agreed with Larry's approach or his position on things. But he stood up for what he believed in and would would speak out on those issues. And as you can see, some of the changes that have happened within ANC as one of those areas where he had huge impact, I had an opportunity to get to know Larry. Even going back to when I worked for Sal Carpio and his work in the Central Black Valley, and he again, you know, reflected the input of neighborhoods into what was going to happen in the central Black Valley. And as you all know, we've got three parks down there. And those parks initially were identified to serve northwest Denver in District nine that was park deficient, but they also served the many people that now live in the Central Valley. I want to acknowledge that we have Tim Sanders, former councilman at large, councilman in the audience, who served with Larry on the Southwest Improvement Council Board, where Larry served up until just a couple of weeks before he passed. He was still working from home, even though he was in hospice, trained to do work for the Southwest Improvement Council. That alone shows you the dedication and commitment that he had to our communities. And Jane, my condolences for the loss on Larry. He was just just an incredible individual that many people loved. And I think the statement in here that if you were friend and Larry's, you were friends for life, really kind of says it all as well. So thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Ortega. And we've got Councilman Cashman. You're up next. And then we've got a few folks after you. So go ahead, sir.
Speaker 7: Thank you. And I'll try to make it easy on you, Jane, and make my comments kind of quick. I actually heard the Ambrose name first when I learned of Jane and her work with her kite project and when I was a journalist and would cover the work that she was doing and then became acquainted with this guy , Larry. And holy cow, I want to talk about a force of nature. And I would just always felt blessed because I never got on Larry's wrong side. You know, he was just one. There were some folks who really didn't like his approach because when he believed in what he believed in, he he did not suffer fools. Well. And if he thought you were a fool, you were liable to get both barrels. He did incredible work for our neighborhoods. You know, for me, I think most prominently, his work with I.N.S., he. Really changed the tenor for those who don't know ANC, its gender, neighborhood cooperation and a citywide coalition of some 100 neighborhood groups up and down over the years. And Larry did just phenomenal work in really activating that voice. But the thing that really caught me was and it was mentioned in the proclamation, a lot of folks know Lani Garrett, a and entertainment legend in Denver for four decades. And you would just assume she kind of sprung from the earth all by herself. But she put a Facebook post the day after Larry passed, first starting off saying she was absolutely devastated and then telling that story where she had met him. They were friends. And he came to pick her up to take her take her to hear a music group. And as he walked into her house, he heard her singing in the kitchen and said, geez, you know, you've really got a great voice. You ought to come try out with our band. And she went, Try it out with the band. And it was a total flop. And she she went home thinking, well, you know, I'll just, you know, keep singing in the kitchen. And Larry did what he what he does with people or what he did with people, you know, urging them to be their best selves and kept pushing Lani. And she picked herself up and got back into the game. And like I said, she's just one of the one of Denver's entertainment legends. And so that really caught me with something I had had no clue about. So I will just add, you know, my condolences and for all for not just Jane, but for all of Denver. You know, we've lost an important voice among people who really care about this city. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Castro. And we have Councilmember Sandoval and then Flynn in the queue. Go ahead, Councilwoman.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Madam President. I'm sorry for your loss, Jane. I to Meg. Jane first. Before, Larry, I had heard of Larry from growing up in the north side. But I got to know Jane very well. And we spent time together in a program. And then I found out Larry was her husband, but I knew her from the Kite Store down downtown at the pavilion. I don't think it was called the pavilion, but downtown. And so I remember when my father passed away, Larry, and my dad passed, and we all did not always see eye to eye, but he gave his condolences. And what he said to me with my dad was thought provoking. And I will say the same for Larry. He was very thought provoking. And when he made a case, he made it and he knew all of the facts about it and he stuck to it. And that is something that I have always thought about with Larry and Jane is how thought provoking they have been and how great stewards of Sloan's Lake that they have been. They face loans lake and they've advocated for things at the lake, and that will be greatly missed. And I also believe that we stand on the shoulders of those who come before us. And Larry definitely is one of those people.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Sandoval. Councilmember Flynn.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Madam President. Well, I met Larry before I met Jane, in fact, when I met Larry about 40 years ago. When I came to Denver to work at the Rocky Mountain News. Larry was one of those people that almost immediately came into the circle of folks she needed to talk to Larry and Deep Punk down at area when Larry was working community relations at their area campus. And we would go to lunch over at the Heroes Place over by East High School and talk about development, talk about land use, talk about neighborhoods. We talk about it so much and it was so intense. Jane, I apologize. I didn't even know he was married to Bill until I heard about your One Sky One World program. And it's true what was said in the proclamation that I think Councilman Cashman read in that portion that if you were a friend, you were a friend forever. And as we moved along over the four decades that I knew, Larry, we had moments of great agreement and moments of great disagreement. But we always had, at least I believe we had moments of friendship. And it was a pleasure to know him. And we will miss his creativity and his intelligence and his alternative way of looking at things. He was instrumental to me many times here desk testifying. In fact, he was instrumental in impacting one of my votes on a zoning issue in Sloan's Lake years ago that I recall. And so we will we will miss him. And I recall also that he was so well-known that in 2015, even though he wasn't on the ballot, he got 2000 write in votes for mayor. I don't know if many people realize it's pretty hard to get a write in vote, but just with a lot to, I think a two week social media campaign, Larry got 2000 plus write in votes and I think that's quite remarkable and alone says a lot. So you have my condolences, Jane. We will miss him. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Flynn. And we definitely send our sincere condolences to you, Jane, on behalf of city council, the city family, for your great loss. He was a great man and did many things on behalf of our city. And you two were amazing partners together. And so we send you our support and prayers in this time. Madam Secretary, roll call.
Speaker 2: See the Barca. I. Cashman.
Speaker 7: I.
Speaker 2: Kenny Ortega. I. Sandoval. Sawyer. I. Torres. I. Black eye for. Eye for an eye tendon.
Speaker 7: I.
Speaker 2: Hi. All right. Madam President.
Speaker 0: I. Madam Secretary closed the voting and announced results.
Speaker 2: 39.
Speaker 0: 13 Eyes Proclamation 20 2-0218 has been adopted. Council Member Cashman will go ahead and allow you to bring up our speaker this evening.
Speaker 7: Yes, a woman with great patience. Thank you for giving us the time to honor your husband. Like to call up Larry's wife, Jane Parker. Ambrose.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you so much. I don't know. Don't get me wrong. I just humbly accept this proclamation. It's going to be really hard not having Larry since. But you know, it's.
Speaker 2: The grieving process.
Speaker 1: That's so interesting, the different stages that you go through. And one of the things that I wanted to share with you. Is when we saved the gold in my house. I remember we were up 3:00 in the morning waving flags so that the truck could carry the house down to historic and High Street area. And. One of the beautiful things about Larry, that he could decide things out of people and what their perspective was and with Golda. She was. He called her. A drop instead of a drop out because this was the teens and Denver was actually being called like the new Paris of the world. There was a convalescence center where people were coming in and working on their health because of the climate. And so Golda's sister, Shana, was living here in there. And she called, she says. Dad is trying to marry me off to a 32 year old man. And I want to go to school. I want education. I don't want to be married to this 32 year old man. Shane says, I have no money to send you. And she said, Don't worry about it. And she taught English on the streets of Milwaukee for $0.10. And she raised that money to create her passage on a train, Milwaukee to Denver. And she walked through our Union Station and lived with her sister so she would stay up at night. Washing teacups of all these intellectuals and artists that would gather together. And they were forming the beginning of Israel. And that to me. Speaks volumes. About. Don't get me started. Okay. But anyway. And so Larry fought for that to bring attention. I mean, Denver should be so proud of the fact the Golden Bear lived here. Then he brought Shane, his daughter, into Denver years later when he was working at Terraria Judy. Beautiful, beautiful woman. But that history should not. And from there he went on. He met a man by the name of what was last. I forget Wally's last name, but. He was a retired principal and he actually was a classmate of Golden Letters in at North High. And so, Larry, and he started the North High, a foundation. And then they started biking part, which sits at a spear and fed room. And the reason why they cleared that little triangular area is to enhance the entrance to northwest Denver so that people could see North High, they could see the Mason Center, they could see St Anthony's. Church and really welcome people into this incredible community. Those are the things we need.
Speaker 2: To.
Speaker 1: Keep in mind. And I mean, I could go on and on. And I thank you so much. And I humbly. Accept this proclamation. Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much, Jane. And I believe we had Tim Santos, who is also going to say a few words as well without long time relationship and I'm sure is at large as well.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much, Madam President. And Council. My name is Tim Sandoz. I'm a board member of the Southwest Improvement Council, also known as Swift Head Mary Ambrose, head and executive director of just prior to his death. As everyone said, Larry kept on working regardless of how many times we asked him to stop because we knew of his health. But he was so driven a person, he wanted to make sure that he could accomplish the things he had set out to do for Southwest Denver. He was an amazing advocate for, as was said earlier by council staff throughout here in southwest Denver was no different. He was dramatically involved in the community, in particular for seniors, for food, for health, for housing. Larry One of the most amazing things about him was his intellect and his vision and his foresight. And as was mentioned, he was very determined once he had done his research, understood where he was at, and would be very strong on those positions, much to the chagrin of a number of elected officials through the years that we all knew, including myself. But one thing about Larry, as counsel has pointed out, he was so strong in his position that people would think he disliked them. He never disliked anybody who disagreed with your position, but he still respected and admired people for standing up and for delivering theirs. And with Southwest Denver as well as North Denver, where I first met Larry in 1987 when we were preparing for a 1989 bond election as Citizens for Denver's Future that had 92 members, Larry was a part of, again, his vision, his intellect, his ability to work was what was so strong about him and what was so great. What a lot of people don't may not remember is Larry also ran for city council at large in 1989 against me. And we got to know each other, as you all know, when you're on the stump with this him, you talk to him. And Larry and I developed a great relationship and I just really admired him and thought, Daniel, he should be on city council at the same time, just not nice. But he was tremendous individual. We are sorely going to miss his leadership and his met at the Southwest Improvement Council and I'm going to miss him personally for just his humor, his intellect and everything that he brought to the table. Larry was one of a kind, and we will always think of him and remember him in southwest Denver. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much. We appreciate the memories that you shared. And again, our sincere condolences and support to you, Jane, as you move into this next chapter. Madam Secretary, would you please read the bills for introduction for us this evening?
A proclamation celebrating the life of Larry Ambrose, the ultimate renaissance man, promoter of the arts, and pursuer of social justice.