The Colorado Senate passed memorial legislation on Feb. 24 and held a tribute for former state Sen. John “Jack” Taylor of Steamboat Springs and his late wife, Geneva Taylor.

According to a news release from state Sen. Dylan Roberts’ office, Sen. Taylor was a Navy veteran, small business owner and a former state representative and senator who served in the Colorado House from 1993-2000 and the Senate from 2001-08.

Taylor died April 22, 2020, at age 84, and his wife died just a few months later. Taylor was survived by his daughters, and several grandchildren.

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The Colorado General Assembly held a joint memorial for Taylor, sponsored by Sen. Dylan Roberts and co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Meghan Lukens, each now holding a seat that Sen. Taylor once occupied.

During the memorial, current and former members of the General Assembly spoke about Taylor’s character, his dedication to public service and the impact he left on the state.

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“Sen. Jack Taylor was the first legislator I ever met in Colorado,” Sen. Roberts said. “As a kid growing up in Steamboat, I first met Taylor when he visited my classroom at the Steamboat Springs Middle School — and he talked to us about how important it was to protect Western Slope Water. And, how right he was and still is today. I feel lucky to have gotten to know Sen. Taylor and Geneva a little bit during my time in the legislature. While we came from opposite parties, I always appreciated the respect and encouragement and advice that he gave me.”

Roberts added that Taylor and his wife were pillars of the Steamboat community and cared very much about the town that they called home.