Larry Enoch Trujillo Sr.

Larry Enoch Trujillo, Sr., 82, passed away at home on November 17, 2022, in Pueblo, Colorado. Larry was born in Ft. Garland, Colorado and later moved to Pueblo with his family. He quit school while in the 9th grade and went back to Ft. Garland to live with his grandfather where he worked as a farmhand. On October 8, 1958, Larry joined the Air Force. After basic training, he served at Shilling Air Base with the 40th bomb wing. He served at Thule, Greenland with the Strategic Air Command, at Vandenburg Air Base, and was honorably discharged in 1962. Soon thereafter, he met his future wife, Ellynn Bailey. Larry and Elly had 3 children: Renae, 1964; Sharon, 1965 and Larry Jr., 1969. Renae retired from the Department of Corrections as Director of Clinical and Correctional Services. Husband Tad Jordan (dec) and children include Erika Houston with two children, Conner and Kaylie and Tad Jr who resides in Australia. Sharon married retired USMC Lt. Colonel Eric Hastings with children Samantha, Ashley, and Christopher residing in Georgia and Sean Urquhart residing in Pueblo. Larry Jr retired from the Department of Corrections with children Marissa and Victoria. Son David Valenzuela married Agnes, residing in Southern California. In 1964, he was appointed as a probation officer. In 1971, he was appointed Chief of Probation Services. In 1981 Gus Sandstrom appointed Larry head of the DA’s office, managing the budget and administrative personnel. In November 1982, Larry was elected State Representative for the 43rd District and elected minority leader of the House of Representatives in 1985. In November of 1986, Larry was elected State Senator. In 1988, he was elected minority leader of the Senate. He served for 5 years. As minority leader, he was 3rd in line to the Governor’s office and served as acting Governor on numerous occasions when the Governor and Lt. Governor were absent from the state. Larry was the prime sponsor of the bill that authorized the creation of a veteran’s home in Huerfano County. He was extremely involved with the authorization of the State Penitentiary in Las Animas County. On the capitol development committee, the legislation to establish the San Carlos Correctional (mental health) Facility was killed by 1 vote. Larry asked for a recess of the committee and met with Representative Chlouber. Larry convinced him to ask for a reconsideration of the vote. Representative Chlouber made a motion for reconsideration, a new vote was taken, and the San Carlos Facility was approved by 1 vote. In 1993, Governor Romer appointed him to serve as Chairman of the Colorado Board of Parole. In January 1996, Larry was appointed by President Clinton as Chairman of the Arkansas River Compact. In March of 1997, Larry was appointed Department of Corrections Deputy Executive Director (Director of Prisons). In November of 1998, Governor Bill Owens appointed Larry to his cabinet as Executive Director of the Department of Administration. In September of 2001, President Bush appointed Larry General Services Administrator for Region 8 which included the states of Montana, North and South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. Larry obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Southern Colorado and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Larry also obtained certificates in Correctional Administration from the University of Southern California at La Jolla and a certificate of Corrections Management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a certificate for Senior Executives at the John Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Larry was a founder, past executive director, and past president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. He was past president and member of numerous boards, associations, and committees. He also served as a member of the Colorado Redistricting Commission in 1991 and 2001. Larry had the privilege of personally meeting with Mrs. Coretta King; Presidents George H. Bush, George W. Bush, and Clinton; and with Mexico’s president Ernesto Zedillo. He also met with Hilary Clinton, Governor’s McNichols, Lamm, Romer, Owens, and Ritter; and many European and American dignitaries. Larry was particularly happy to have also met and spent time with General Westmoreland. Larry enjoyed horse racing and baseball. He was fortunate to attend major league baseball games at 8 different stadiums and visited 13 different major racetracks. Special mention to Larry’s special and valued persons in his life: brother Harold and long time and close friends Mike and Rose Romero. “Thank you, all three of you, for being there always.” Survived by his wife of 59 years, Elly; daughters, Renae (Tad dec.) Jordan and Sharon (Eric) Hastings; sons, Larry Jr. and David (Agnes) Valenzuela; grandchildren, Erika (Kyle) Houston and Tad Jordan Jr., Sean (Maria Herrera) Urquhart, Samantha, Ashley, and Christopher Hastings, Marissa Wells, and Victoria Trujillo, Jackie (Nate) Barreras, Natalie (Jacob) Rodrigue; great grandchildren; Conner and Kaylie Houston, Ezekiel Barreras, Jalyn and Ezra Rodrigue; brother, Harold; sisters, Mary Robertson, June (Wes) Kitzman, and Alice; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Rose Trujillo; brothers, Walter, Mark, and Orlando Trujillo; and sisters, Beatrice, Brenda, Rosie, and Evelyn. At Larry’s request there will be a private family service which can be viewed on Livestream after Wednesday, November 30, 2022, by going to Facebook or YouTube and searching Romero Family Funeral Home Pueblo. Larry will be laid to rest at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. In lieu of food and flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Denver Colorado.

Larry Enoch Trujillo Sr.

August 9, 1940 - November 17, 2022