Dennis "Dee" Roe died yesterday at Rose Hospital. Dee was a founding member of the Colorado Progressive Coalition in 1997 and continued to work with the Coalition until a few months ago, when his medical problems became too severe to continue. He had a major part in working to obtain prescription drug benefits in Colorado, holding public forums across the state on this issue, doing grassroots organizing to bring consumers into the health care reform effort, and again organizing forums to inform people of the 208 Commission and the opportunities that could be realized for health care reform through that Commission. He would often testify at the Legislature on important health care bills.

Dee brought much experience to his work with the Coalition-having been a basketball player in the early Industrial League which preceded today’s NBA, an organizer for the miners union, a pressman for Denver newspapers, and always an active political participant. He was dedicated to improving the lives of working class and lower income families, and he was much respected and loved by all who knew him.

Dee is survived by his wife, Jeanie, his children, and numerous grandchildren. After Dee’s death, Jeanie reminded them of a song Dee had often sung to them when they were little: “If I had a nickel, I know what I would do; I’d spend it all on candy and give it all to you; cause that’s how much I love you, Baby; that’s how much I love you.” That’s how much Dee loved life and people.
Dee was honored last year, together with Clark Bouton, with the first Health Organizing Hero Award from the Coalition. I know it was more than well deserved! Dee was a wonderful friend to me on health care reform efforts, and in elections. We will miss his warmth, knowledge and humor.

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