Bud Elliott, who served eight years as Leadville’s mayor and who was a well-loved – many say iconic – presence in the community, became Lake County’s first COVID-19-associated death, which was reported Feb. 22.
Bud Elliott was regarded by many as an icon in the Leadville community. Photo-Facebook
“Dad loved Leadville and all its people,” said his son Evan on Facebook. “After we arrived in Leadville in 1994, my dad spent the rest of his adult life working alongside many of you to strengthen our community. He worked as a small business owner, city council member, mayor and volunteer. Before that, he worked for many years as a nurse in Kansas City. Caring for people was my dad’s passion, and his last conversations with us were about his volunteer work, his concern for friends impacted by dangerous winter storms, and his love for his granddaughter.”
He said the family is planning to organize an outdoor event in honor of his father and that donations are welcome at St. George’s Church community meals program and the Advocates of Lake County.
“It is a very difficult day for the entire Lake County community as we face this tragic loss of life… We send our deepest condolences to all who are impacted by this loss,” shared Lake County Public Health Agency Director Colleen Nielsen. “This sad news reinforces our commitment to work together even more closely to protect our beloved community from the negative impacts of COVID-19.”
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During the years (2005-2018) that we lived in Twin Lakes, we had the honor and pleasure of being friends with Bud Elliott. Naturally we met him through working as race volunteers, projects for the Friends of the Library, and a variety of other causes. Bud’s dynamic energy sparkled from his eyes to his quick wit to his determined pace — always going, always doing. People like Bud leave big holes in this world when they leave us. The only way to fill those empty holes is to follow their example of goodness to others.
Was he vaccinated?
Why would that possibly matter, unless you’re trying to drag politics into this appreciation of Mr. Elliott’s life?
Can’t we have anything, anything at all, that isn’t poisoned by politics? Just appreciate the the person, and leave the politics to more appropriate subjects.