In Memory Of Larry Ambrose
Larry will be deeply missed .
Please see below for the text of the award.Lifetime Achievement Award –
Larry Ambrose – Sloan’s Lake Neighborhood Association
Larry, a Colorado native, has been involved in the formation and advocacy of Denver neighborhood groups since 1973, when he and his wife, Jane, started one of Denver’s first RNO’s, Northwest Neighbors.
In the early 1980’s he co-founded Sunnyside Highland Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association. He and Jane helped pioneer the LoHi Business District on 15th Street where they both had businesses and in 2004, they were founding members of Sloan’s Lake Neighborhood Association, where he serves today as Vice President.
Larry holds an MBA from UCLA and a JD from DU. As Community Relations Director of the Auraria Campus, he wrote the policies on community use of space and more notably, he saved the Golda Meir House from the wrecking ball; moved it to Ninth Street Historic Park where it was restored and is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Larry was a member of the Platte Area Reclamation Committee where he advocated for a major city park in Central Platte Valley and was subsequently appointed by Mayor McNichols as the neighborhood representative.
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 and getting power lines buried in Highland Square business district. He was also instrumental in creating the Viking Park entryway into NW Denver and establishing Denver’s system of dog parks.
He served on numerous City planning committees and task force groups. Larry was the INC representative to the Visit Denver Olympics civic Engagement Subcommittee and was instrumental, along with Christine O’Connor, in getting the successful Olympic ballot initiative a few years ago.
Larry was a co-founder of INC Parks Committee and served on the INC board for nine years serving as Secretary, Vice President and President. He initiated the creation of INC’s website, logo and branding. He established a record of activism and advocacy through INC Resolutions to Denver City government officials and initiated, at the behest of Kathleen Wells, the creation of Platforms for INC’s committees, starting with Parks. He formed the INC Parks Designation Committee and appointed its first members.
To raise funds for INC projects he initiated the Silent Auction at INC Annual Awards dinners, and with help from Jane Lorimer, took the dinners to a new level of success. Larry held Executive Committee retreats which for the first time, included building INC’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.
Larry currently serves as Executive Director for Southwest Improvement Council, whose purpose is to improve living conditions for its residents through civic engagement, health and human service programs and affordable housing.
Larry Ambrose has indeed spent a “lifetime” of commitment to address the betterment of Denver’s neighborhoods.
Sorry to hear of Larry’s passing, he was always encouraging and supportive of me during my time on the INC board. Condolences to Jane, the family and all his friends. RIP Larry!
I’ll wager that INC’s tribute to Larry here would have been his favorite. Larry loved INC. I will miss my dear mentor, teacher, student, colleague, client, and friend. I know in future dealings with the City, I’ll have Larry whispering in my ear.
My good buddy, Larry up and left this world and is entering the next. I just don’t know with whom I am going to dance at our next class reunion. It just won’t be the same…maybe someday he and I will dance in heaven. Love to Jane.