Englewood City Council Member Joe Anderson Dies While Hiking Quandary Peak

Colorado politician Joe Anderson suddenly collapsed on Colorado hike and died shortly thereafter. (Photo: Instagram @nypost)

Joe Anderson lost consciousness and was not breathing while hiking on the lower slopes of Quandary Peak in Summit County, according to local authorities. Sheriff's deputies were called at about 6.40am after other hikers had already begun CPR. Deputies and medical personnel continued attempts to revive him, but Anderson died at the scene. The cause of death has not been announced and is expected to be determined by the coroner, the Daily Mail reported, citing local authorities. The City of Englewood confirmed his death later Friday.

From homelessness work to Englewood council

Anderson entered the Englewood City Council in November 2019 as the representative for District 3 and won another four-year term in November 2023. His council colleagues elected him mayor pro tem in December that year, and his term was scheduled to expire in November 2027. He served in pastoral roles at local churches and helped found Change the Trend, a coalition working on homelessness. The city said his work with the coalition preceded the creation of the Tri-Cities Homelessness Policy Committee, which coordinates policy across Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan. He also spent years coordinating Be a Tool, later renamed the Neighborhood Rehab Project, which organised home repairs for seniors and people with disabilities. He later represented Englewood on the Tri-Cities committee, which worked on regional homelessness services including a navigation centre and a Bridge House employment programme. Anderson was also involved in Englewood's CodeNext overhaul of development rules, backing measures that made it easier to build smaller homes as part of efforts to improve housing affordability.

Anderson pushed stormwater overhaul after deadly floods

After deadly flooding hit Englewood in 2018, Anderson pressed the city to plan beyond immediate repairs. His position was that Englewood needed a long-term upgrade of its stormwater system without imposing costs that households and businesses could not absorb. The city later completed the $23 million South Englewood Flood Reduction Project, which added detention ponds and upgraded stormwater pipes.

‘Always there to lend a hand’: City leaders remember Anderson

Mayor Othoniel Sierra described Anderson as someone who was “always there to lend a hand” as a friend, neighbour, pastor and elected official. “This is a tremendous loss for our city and our heart goes out to his family and friends during this time of loss,” he said. Outgoing City Manager Shawn Lewis called Anderson “one of the most effective, productive and positive council members I've ever worked with,” and recalled that Anderson had offered to pray for him when his parents were hospitalised during the Covid pandemic. A fundraiser has since been organised for Anderson's wife, Rebecca, and their children. Its organisers described him as a father, husband, friend and neighbour and said memorial details would be announced later. Anderson's District 3 term was due to run until November 2027. Under Englewood's charter, the remaining council members have 30 days to fill the vacancy with a 75% vote. If they fail to do so, the seat moves into the electoral process.