DENVER — People gathered at Civic Center Park Sunday to remember business leader Steve Sander, who died by suicide last week at age 69.
Sander was never in the headlines, but he was a big piece of many things that made headlines in Denver. Projects he spearheaded included the launch of the Colorado Rockies franchise in 1993; the opening of the Pepsi Center in 1999 and Invesco Field in 2001; MLB, NHL and NBA All-Star Games; and championship parades for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. He was responsible for the 2008 launch of Denver B-cycle, the first large-scale city bike-sharing program in the U.S.
Sander graduated from the University of Colorado in 1974, and worked in Denver and Boulder before establishing his own marketing firm, Sander Marketing Group, in 2006, according to an obituary provided by his family.
In 2008, then-Mayor John Hickenlooper asked Sander to serve as the first Director of Strategic Marketing for the City of Denver. Sander worked in the Mayor’s office until Hickenlooper was elected governor, then continued in a strategic marketing role under Mayor Michael Hancock.
Sander served on many nonprofit boards, including Visit Denver, Denver Sports Commission Advisory Council, Global Livingston Institute and Denver Film Festival, and was a mentor to youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. An avid runner, he helped organize the Denver Marathon.
Sander was preceded in death by his father, Lothar Stephen Sander, and his mother Greta Landwehr Sander. He is survived by his younger sister Miriam Sander, 67, of Boulder and his partner, Ronda Williston.
At the celebration of life Sunday, the community was asked to wear sports logos or colors "in honor of Steve's never-ending love of sports."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sander’s memory to Global Livingston Institute, or to Food for Thought, where he volunteered.
Sanders would have turned 70 on Nov. 3. One of his last wishes was for all who wished to celebrate his 70th birthday to donate to their favorite charities.
If you're struggling, help is always available. Colorado Crisis Services has trained counselors available 24/7. Call 1-844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255. For the National Suicide Lifeline, dial 988.
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