WE LOST a true Pueblo original when former U.S. Rep. Ray Kogovsek, died Sunday at the age of 75.

“Kogo,” as he was affectionately known by so many friends and acquaintances, was our city’s only congressman during the past 40 years. The Pueblo Democrat was elected to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District in 1978 and again in 1980 and 1982. When he decided not to run at the end of his third term in 1984, Kogovsek surprised many of his fans — Democrats, Republicans and independents alike — who thought of him as “congressman for life.” His base of support was so wide that, had he chosen to run, he would have been a formidable candidate for governor upon his return from Washington.

Instead, he retired from politics in 1985 and launched a successful lobbying firm, Kogovsek and Associates, specializing in natural resources, government and the American Indian tribes of Southwestern Colorado.

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