December 22, 2013 09:02 PM UTC

Former Colorado Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon Dies

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE 12/26: The Denver Post's Joey Bunch reports on memorial arrangements:

His funeral will be Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Davidson/Hermelin Chapel at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham, Mich.,a Detroit suburb, where other members of Gordon's family are buried.

The memorial service in Denver will be Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 11a.m. at Temple Emmanuel, 51 Grape St.

His family asked that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the organization Ken Gordon founded, CleanSlateNow.org.

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"Colorado lost a great public servant today with the passing of former State Senator Ken Gordon. A champion for good government, Ken worked hard to ensure our democratic process was one of transparency and accountability.

"Whether it was during his tenure in the Colorado Public Defender's Office or in the Colorado State Legislature, Ken has left a legacy of fighting for those that cannot fight for themselves. Our thoughts are with Ken's loved ones and family, including his children, his grandchildren, and Betty, his partner of many years." 

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​UPDATE: Lynn Bartels and Joey Bunch of the Denver Post:

Former Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, said Sunday night that Gordon rose above partisan politics.

"Ken was a good friend and an outstanding lawmaker," Owens said. "Ken was willing to set aside partisanship to do what was best for Colorado."

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Word just now arriving via Twitter; we'll update shortly with coverage. More sad news this holiday weekend:

Former #Colorado Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon felt ill Sunday, drove himself to hospital and died at 5:30 p.m. Story soon. #copolitics

— Joey Bunch (@joeybunch) December 23, 2013