Former Colorado State Senator Ray Powers died at his home, the Powers Ranch, east of Colorado Springs, CO on September 19, 2008.
 Powers, 79, was born June 27, 1929 to Cora and Guy Powers. He was born and raised at his parents home, the Powers Dairy, located on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs (near Constitution and Powers at that time.) Ray lost his father in a tragic accident when he was only a teenager.
He was always proud to be a native of Colorado Springs. Powers Boulevard, a major traffic corridor on the eastern side of the Pikes Peak Region was named after the well known and loved state senator by long-time developer Bill Smartt, who wanted to pay tribute to Ray’s many accomplishments.
He had served as president of the State 4-H Club.
He started his political career when he was elected to the Colorado House in 1978. He was elected five times to the Colorado Senate from District 10, departing as President of the Colorado Senate, where he had served 22 years.
He worked as a dairy farmer, rancher and businessman, and was an influential voice for Agriculture in the Colorado Legislature and elsewhere.
His finest legislative achievements included SB1, a 1997 Highway Funding bill that provided $200 million a year for highway funding.
Additional legislative accomplishments included:
- Stronger enforcement of the death penalty
- Added judges to El Paso County
- Measures to improve Colorado highways
- Resolutions to end federal mandates on states
- Right to farm legislation
- Balance budget resolution (federal)
- Implementation of an ignition interlock device to prevent drunk driving
- Child care tax check off
- Senate sponsor of the “State Income Tax Refund Bill for Colorado Veterans”
- Always Buy Colorado Legislation
One of Ray’s proudest achievements was being President of the American Legislative Exchange Council (and organization of conservative state legislators from across the nation).
He was also Chairman of Western Council of State Governments. He was Chairman of the Council of State Governments International Trade Committee, Chair of Council of State Government Federalism Committee and Suggested State Legislative Committee, past Chair of the Legislative Audit Committee, Assistant Majority Leader, Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Member of the Senate State Veterans & Military Affairs Committee; a lifetime member of the Colorado Cattleman’s Association, Vice President of the National Dairy Council, a member of the NRA and a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights. He was a Friend to the military and strong supporter of veterans and their rights.
During his decades of service, he received numerous awards including a 1994 Businessman’s Award, 1995 Farm Bureau Agriculturist of the Year, 1995 United Veterans Committee Senator of the Year, 4-H Alumini Winner, Gold Members of the Colorado Cattleman’s Association and was recognized and highly rates by the Colorado Union of Taxpayers (rated tax cutter of the year 3 out of 6 years).
He loved to travel, and in his later years, enjoyed taking cruises with his wife, Dorothy. He also enjoyed playing cards and having dinners with friends. In recent years, he and Dorothy enjoyed wintering in Tucson, Arizona.
Ray would want to be remembered as the guy who served his country and state in a way that was cost effective and brought about a better quality of life. In other words, he wanted to bring a ray of powerful sunshine into the lives of all those he touched. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Ray leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Janet (and Dale), stepson Steve (and Judi), five grandchildren, Alexa, Melissa (and Glen), Clint (and Rebecca), Stephanie (and Mark), Audray (and Brent), 9 great grandchildren, Jacque, Jordan, Jerran, Makenzie, Dylan, Madison, Zoe, Zeke, Mercy; his sister, Marjorie (and Leo) Morford of Colorado; long-time employee, Dan; and his dog, Cinamon.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Clifford.
A memorial service will be held Tues., Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at First Nazarene Church, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the “Ray Powers Memorial” at First Nazarene Church, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd. Colo. Spgs., CO |
