In Memoriam: Bob Briggs

Chris Beytes

It’s rare to find the passing of a horticulturist making front-page news, but the passing of Colorado native Bob Briggs, owner of Briggs Garden Center & Greenhouse from 1961 to 1979 and executive vice president of the Colorado Greenhouse Growers Association for 17 years, was noteworthy because of his wide-ranging public service, including a term in the Colorado House. Bob was 83. He's survived by his wife, Shirley, children Christy and Robert (“Chip”), and two grandchildren.

Bob earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Colorado State University. He once told an interviewer that he majored in horticulture “because he did not want to wear a tie for a living.”

In a 2016 profile in the Westminster Window, Bob said his education in horticulture helped shape his views on politics.

“Well, plants have to have the right kind of environment to grow. People have to have the right kind of environment to grow and prosper. And so there’s a relationship between the two. If you don’t create the right kind of environment, the community doesn’t grow.”

As mentioned, Bob had a long career in local and state politics, serving as Adams County Commissioner for four years beginning in 1979, as the local Board Member for the Regional Transportation District for four years starting  in 1999, and a State Representa-tive in 2003-2005. He served two terms on the Westminster City Council from 2007-2015, including a stint as the Mayor Pro Tem. He also lent his time to the Colorado Greenhouse Grower’s Association, the Westminster Open Space Board, the Westminster Rotary, the Jefferson County Historical Commission and other organizations.

With all that service, it’s no surprise that he was inducted into three different halls of fame: the Colorado Floriculture Foundation, Westminster Chamber and the Jefferson County Historical Commission.

In that 2016 Westminster Window profile, Bob explained that he wanted to contribute to the community that had helped him so much.

“I had many, many people over my lifetime who have made contributions to me and I don’t think I adequately thanked them, right? But I still owe a debt to them. I’m still trying to pay it forward to thank those who supported me in my endeavors.” GT