This website has been silent since October 27, which is nothing overly different. It will fall silent for days, weeks, and sometimes months at a time because I get caught up in the busyness of life and after all, this personal page is just a “hobby.”
But I woke up at 2 A.M. this morning and knew I had to write this post – or record a podcast – or both… and I have been dreading it. I simply do not have the words to write or record that which would do Hugh McKean justice. I don’t know what to say about what he meant to this state, to his family, to me, and to Amy. I don’t have the words.
But I still know I must write/record something because while I don’t have the words, the sentiment – the love and the heartache – cannot go unsaid.
And somehow this blog/podcast and, for that matter, my life, cannot again come alive and move forward with the purpose that God has instilled in me until I acknowledge and mourn in my own way the man who was like my brother.
Writing it would be impossible. Every time I try to wrap my head around some structure or outline, it becomes too big. Too overwhelming. No one would read it. I don’t know what makes me think anyone will listen to this podcast, but “talking it through” will be easier – more comfortable for me. So I’ll try to record it in a podcast – and that effort will be fully and completely inadequate, but it will be a demarkation – a waypoint – by which I can chart my course forward.
As I typed those words, God nudged me to record a podcast with Amy and Hugh’s kids and Amy’s kids. That really feels good, and if they are willing, I will do that and use it as the way we move forward with the Regular Folks Rising project that Hugh and I were both so fond of – but never really leaned into because, well, busyness and life. Yet another stark reminder that we are not promised tomorrow.
Enough writing. I’m writing the blog post that accompanies the podcast before I record the audio file. I’ll post that here…
Now, for some media…
In the days that followed Hugh’s death, there were so many articles, news stories, and tributes. It was overwhelming for me. I can’t imagine what they were for Amy. I’ll share a few of those via links here.
My favorite article was from Marianne Goodland of Colorado Politics/Denver Gazette. Marianne came to his services. She talked to his friends. She cried along with us. She covered Hugh fairly and humanely. She is a journalist. There are very few like her left. Thank you, Marianne, for honoring my friend.
My pal made the New York Post.
And Fox News.
And People Magazine. People freakin’ magazine, which we both used to make fun of!
There were articles about his passing and the memorial services. Here. Here. Here. Here. In the Denver Post here. In the Washington Examiner here. Colorado Public Radio rightly said that Hugh did it “the old-fashioned way.” He did. Some pictures.
You know I am a fan of Glenn Beck – Hugh’s death was covered in The Blaze.
Then there were the articles about Amy, er, Representative Amy Parks, being sworn in to complete Hugh’s term.
All you have to do is Google his name and the results will be overwhelming. There are 763,000 results. Of course, they are not all about him, but it was pretty wild to see that number! Read some of the articles that are about Hugh and you’ll quickly learn what Hugh meant to the world and how empty the world seems without him.
I could link articles and pictures all day, but they would all indicate the same thing – Colorado – and yours truly – has a Hugh-sized hole in its heart and it will never – ever – be filled.
Kyle Clark did a very fitting tribute to Hugh…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hlzk33qHc7A%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den-US%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent
The complete memorial service for Hugh at the State Capital rotunda can be viewed below.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7tYYiQ8zo_s%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den-US%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent
I’ll share what I said at Hugh’s two services…
Roger Hudson, Hugh’s communications guy and now the House Republicans’ Deputy Chief of Staff asked me to officiate the ceremony as Hugh lay in state at the Colorado State Capitol. I told him I didn’t think I could do it – it’s too emotional – I’ll lose it – he was my best friend. Roger, who was a news reporter for 850 KOA/iHeart Radio, said, “You’re a radio guy. Script it and suck it up.” So I did. Thank you, Roger. It was the honor of my life to honor my friend. Here’s a cut-n-paste of that script.
12:02 – 12:07 Officiant speaks…
Good afternoon. The McKean Family – Hugh’s children Hanna and Aiden, his Mother Janet, sister Summer, and brother Andrew – and the Parks family, Amy and her kids Kierra, Keenan, and Kolten – thank you for attending today. Thank you, Governor Polis, for inviting us to remember our friend here in the people’s house.
Please join me in prayer:
Father God, we humbly come before you today with heavy hearts. We ask for your aid and comfort as we mourn the passing of Hugh. While your glory in Heaven intensifies as Hugh’s soul is brought home, Colorado has grown dimmer. Lord, let us feel your peace and love in tangible ways. We welcome your presence here today, Lord God, and we ask that you move in our midst and bring comfort. Please be with the McKean and Parks families as they mourn the absence of their son, brother, father, and partner. Please be with us, dear God, as we miss our friend. We commit this time of remembrance to you, Lord God, and ask that you bless this time together. In Jesus name – Amen.
If these hallowed, marble walls could talk, imagine the stories they would tell. Today, let them tell the stories of Hugh McKean and the indelible mark he left on this building and on our hearts. I’ll start the stories…
It was just this last legislative session I was down from Weld County testifying on a piece of legislation. I was on the third-floor lurking about the doors of the senate gallery when I came to the learned conclusion that y’all are boring. So, I decided to find my friend Hugh.
About the time I exited the Senate gallery I hear him – belly laugh – we’ve all heard it. So, I look across the east and west balconies. No Hugh. But I can still hear him. I walk over on the east balcony of the third floor and look down toward the House doors – he must be there. No Hugh.
So, I walk around the rotunda on the third floor and look down toward the minority leader’s office. There he is – telling a story – and laughing. He spots me and gives me one of those big waves like Forest Gump waiving at Lt. Dan…
His laughter started on the north side and landed at the doorway of the Senate Gallery. Hugh’s laughter filled the Colorado State Capital – but not as much as his heart. Today Colorado has a Hugh-sized hole in its heart.
Hugh Monroe McKean was born Oct. 27, 1967, in Philadelphia and he would often regale – side note – regale in this context means bore to tears – Hugh would regale his friends with tales of a boyhood spent playing near Washington’s Crossing in Buck’s County, PA, climbing on the rock where General George Washington crossed the Delaware River and turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.
Still regaling, Hugh would then tell the story about how he was a direct descendant of Thomas McKean, President of the Continental Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. I regale you with these stories not to bore you to tears, but to make this important point – a love of this great country and a desire to serve its people was just part of Hugh’s DNA. It’s who he was.
When he wasn’t bragging about his lineage and desecrating historic landmarks, Hugh moved with his family to Missouri, where he lived and worked and grew up on his family’s farm. McKean served in the United States Coast Guard, worked in the aviation industry in Texas and finally landed in Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State University in 1996.
Hugh worked across Northern Colorado as an independent residential contractor and devoted himself to raising his two children, Hanna, and Aiden. Like most of us, Hugh fell into public service when he was recruited by an outgoing Loveland City Council member solely for his ability to say NO. As many of you know, Hugh mastered the art of NO, in that he believed in checks and balances.
McKean was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2016, where he quickly became respected as a pragmatic, common-sense, consensus builder. He was elected House Minority Leader in 2020. Hugh loved working through challenges – he loved to find a way – and when asked if it was tough being in the minority Hugh would say that the challenge only made him better because he was able to hone the art of listening and building consensus.
McKean’s ability to forge genuine connections with people and to educate himself on the broad themes and deep details of public policy—combined with an infectious sense of humor, boundless energy, and the innate curiosity of a 7-year-old—made him not only an effective legislator but also an invaluable colleague, friend, and neighbor.
He had a remarkable ability to connect with people, making everyone—from gas station attendants to governors—feel consequential. This ability was predicated on seeing people as individuals, regardless of role, status, or political orientation. For Hugh, everyone was a potential friend, and this powered both his personal and his professional relationships.
Among Hugh’s great loves: Amy, his family, trains, creative mischief, fireworks, firearms, carpentry, and cooking. And may I add that Hugh loved those who serve and would lay down their life for another. Veterans, active-duty military, and law enforcement officers – Hugh loved you. And he would have dug the sirens on the ride down today.
In the hours following Hugh’s passing, I must admit yelling at God… I took my truck from Loveland to Johnstown to take a shower and as I did, I yelled and I said, “God, why my friend?!” And I said, “Hugh, what would you have me do?” And he said, just as clearly as we hear one another’s voice today, “Take care of my girl and finish my work.”
I think we can all help finish Hugh’s work. It’s this simple.
Live like Hugh. Laugh like Hugh. Serve like Hugh. And love like Hugh.
To do so would make Colorado eminently better and would truly finish his work.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to introduce the Governor of the state of Colorado, Jared Polis…
Governor Polis: Eulogy – introduces Speaker of the House Alec Garnett
Speaker Garnet: Eulogy – introduces Minority Leader Mike Lynch
Minority Leader Lynch: Eulogy – introduces Governor Bill Owens
Governor Owens: Eulogy – At this time, Minority Leader McKean will receive funeral honors by the Colorado State Patrol on behalf of the great state of Colorado…
State Patrol: Taps
Officiant: Please be seated
State Patrol: Flag fold, Governor Polis comes down the stairs for flag presentation to Amy & Kids.
Officiant closing remarks:
In that polling is popular in politics, I’d like to conduct a poll and I hope our results are more accurate than the pollsters were two nights ago.
Raise your hand if Hugh ever told you he loved you.
Keep your hand raised if you felt awkward the first time he said it.
“I love you” became Hugh’s trademark – and he meant it. For Hugh, it was not only a genuine expression of affection but a reminder that it’s relationships with people that mattered far more than politics.
To end on a completely awkward note that Hugh would love, I want you to turn to a stranger and tell them you love them. Democrats, turn to Republicans (if you can find one) and tell them you love them.
Alright, that’s enough love… I have three announcements:
- Please sign the guest book and leave a memory of our friend Hugh.
- Church services for Hugh will be this Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at Rez Church in Loveland. The public is invited to attend.
- In lieu of flowers, Amy and the family ask that you make a generous donation to the Foothills Gateway Foundation in Fort Collins.
Please join me in the closing prayer:
Father God, we commit the soul of our friend Hugh to your care. Please bless him and keep him, and please comfort us until we all one-day meet again. Let us go forth from here into Colorado and the world in peace and dedicated to your service, oh Lord. We pray, God, that your strength sustains us, your power preserves us, your hands protect us, and your way directs us. Most of all, Lord God, we pray that you help us to live, laugh, serve, and love like Hugh.
It is in the mighty name of Jesus I pray – Amen
Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated until the family has departed. This concludes our event.
Roger was right. I scripted it and made it through. It worked so well at the capitol, I did it again for Hugh’s funeral at Rez. Let me share those words here…
Scott…
Good Morning…
While we know most of you, “for the record,” I’m Scott James. Marianne Goodland nailed it a couple days ago in the Denver Gazette – she was hesitant in recognizing me as “Hugh’s best friend” because it is characteristic of Hugh’s heart that EVERYONE is his best friend – and she’s right, so let’s just say that Hugh was/is MY best friend.
Amy Parks truly was and is Hugh’s best friend – and partner – and soul mate. I believe that God shines a light on people you should be friends with. For me, God shone a light on Amy and Hugh, and that light was brighter when they were together.
Amy was concerned that these events – Thursday at the capital and today here at Rez – would honor Hugh – would give his friends and family a time to mourn and remember him – would properly state his biography and list his accomplishments – but would they truly capture who Hugh was?
We’ve heard beautiful eulogies since Hugh was called home to make Jesus feel awkward and laugh from two governors to a Speaker of the House and newly elected House Minority leader to his big brother and beautiful son. Each one honored and illustrated Hugh as he was to those people.
But our job is to show you who Hugh was to us – not the councilman or statesman or House District 51 Representative or Colorado House Minority Leader – all important to him. But we want to show you the Hugh we knew. Hugh would have been honored by the pomp and circumstance surrounding his passing to date, but his inner 7-year-old is screaming, “Where are the jokes, folks?!” Where are the open-mouth-laugh moments.
Sure, Hugh may have been the first sitting Colorado state legislator to lie in state at the capital, but I was the first person to make a democrat governor stare a republican governor in the eyes and say, “I love you” AND THAT’S FUNNY. So, let’s get on with telling you about the Hugh we knew.
Let’s borrow a page from a now grey-bearded late-night comedian and do The Top 10 Things that Made Hugh, Hugh…
#10 – Hugh was a walking encyclopedia
That man new something about everything and would readily volunteer what he knew. You’ll see a very touching slide show in a couple of minutes. In it, there are a couple of pictures of Hugh talking to kids. He’s not talking to them, he’s lecturing them, offering some inane fact about how the inner circumference of widget A perfect aligns with Ganymede, which is Jupiter’s largest moon. They look interested – they’re not – they’re bored to tears, stopped listening 10-minutes prior to the capture of the photo and are actually depicted thinking about lunch.
Amy…
#9 – Hugh could make anything awkward.
Even hugs. Especially hugs. Raise your hand if you were ever the recipient of one of Hugh’s “don’t let go” hugs.
Hi hugs – regular hugs and “don’t let go” hugs – were so famous that when he unabashedly delivered one, I’d say, “Hug. It’s because it’s three-quarters of your name.
Hugh was the master of inappropriate jokes. If you were at the service at the capital on Thursday, Rep Lynch said it perfectly, Hugh made the most inappropriate jokes at the most appropriate time.
The truth is, there’s was no inappropriate time for Hugh to make people laugh or feel uncomfortable and all jokes were appropriate. A hot mic made them better. He was never scripted like we are today and Somehow, he always pulled it off.
Recently he had a press conference, and I got a random text saying, “I said horse poop on the mic.” Only he didn’t say poop. The word he used was decidedly browner. My response, a simple “dude.” There was no stopping or filtering the man.
Scott…
#8 – Hugh Hated Fancy
Hugh McKean was a common man who grew up on a farm in Missouri, served his country in the United States Coast Guard and wound up swinging a hammer to put bread on the table.
He cooked steaks over charcoal because propane was too fancy – and didn’t produce the same flavor.
Julie and I belong to the Greeley Country Club – yes, darn it, we’re country club Republicans – but we like it – because we’re kinda fancy (like Applebee’s – on a Friday). We’d invite Amy and Hugh to come have dinner with us – at the Country Club – and he’d come because he wanted to see us – but I think he hated every second of it.
Hugh drove a late model ¾-ton GMC pickup with a Duramax diesel. I liked it. So, I bought a ½-ton bright red GMC Sierra 1500 with the Denali package. Let me channel my inner Hugh and tell that Denali is Athabascan for “the idiot driving this paid too much.” Hugh placated me when he first saw it but I knew what he was thinking. Too fancy. Hugh hated fancy.
Amy…
#7 Hugh was a thinker.
When a thought popped into his head, he could barely contain his excitement, let alone hold it off. If the kids and I were having a conversation and Hugh had a contributing thought, he would raise his hand like a second grader in the back row until he was called upon – insert eye roll from teenagers here.
In those moments, at least he was polite enough to raise his hand before blurting the words out uncontrollably. The night after Hugh went home to make Jesus feel awkward, my daughter asked if we wanted to learn how to talk like Hugh.
We said, “Okay, go ahead.”
She said, “Well, you have to start talking first.”
Scott…
#6 – Hugh fixed things
I suck at the manly arts. I know where to pop my hood, but I’m not too sure where the dipstick is. I’ve seen a hammer, but I’m not too sure which end I use to hit the nail. I always used to tell Hugh, “Dude, I’m barely a man.” He never argued.
But Hugh – he grew up on a farm in Missouri – and if something broke, they fixed it. If something squeaks – WD-40. If something leaked – bubble gum and a tire patch. If a certain Speaker of the House had a fridge out, Hugh had tools. He fixed things.
If his caucus was broken and divided, he fixed it. If differences between people and party were too broad, he built a bridge. If relationships were shattered, he mended. If hearts were broken, he loved.
As much a fixer, Hugh was a peacemaker – and blessed be the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Hugh fixed things.
Amy…
#5 – Not only did he fix things, Hugh “Daddy fixed.”
If you were around Hugh long enough for something to break – and with the crowd he hung out with, it didn’t take long – he would proudly proclaim, Daddy Fix! Thank God, the fixing actually happened, but it was usually accompanied by a story of when Hanna or Aiden broke something – a window, Aiden’ arm – and how’s there’s a reason daddy had to learn how to fix.
Scott…
#4 – Hugh Cared
In a political world that is long on self-righteous bombast and short on empathy, Hugh cared. He knew your name. He knew your backstory. If you were sick, he wanted you to be well. If you had a problem, he wanted to fix it. If you had a task, he wanted to help. If you had a heartache, he wanted to heal it. If it was your birthday, he knew it was your birthday, and he wanted to give you a hug. If it wasn’t your birthday, he wanted to give you a hug.
He secondarily cared about your legislation or your latest idea to save humanity – he primarily cared about you.
Hugh cared.
Amy…
#3 – Hugh Listened.
He listened not only to what you had to say, but he listened to things. He would often tell me the most loving words, “Shhhh – listen better.” To which I would reply, “Don’t shush me.” Silence allowed him to hear an incoming storm – the wind blowing through the trees – aspens were his favorite. Hummingbirds. Things I didn’t know made sounds.
Scott…
#2 – Hugh Lived and laughed and loved BIG
Yes, Hugh’s time was cut too short, but in his 55-years HE LIVED – big. He hunted and shot guns and animals and things. He built stuff. His laugh filled the capital – or any building he was in – and so did his heart. Everything was funny – nothing was off limits. Story about sign waving…
Minority Leader Lynch said it perfectly at the capital on Thursday, only Hugh could smile with his mouth wide open. It’s like the joy inside him had to escape through the hole on his face. In a moment there will be a slide show. Have a little fun. Every time you see a photo of Hugh with that mouth-open smile, say DING!
Speaker Garnett said it perfectly at the capital on Thursday – Hugh loved big – and he let you know. And we will miss him – big.
Amy…
#1 – Hugh loved when he didn’t have to.
He loved me. He loved my kids. Sometimes they – and by “they” I mean we – made it easier than others. He loved fiercely regardless of who or what or when or why or how. Regardless of the attitudes presented, if it was reciprocated in the moment or not – Hugh was a simple man and he loved.
Scott…
I did this at the capital on Thursday and I believe it is important that I do it again here today.
In that polling is popular in politics, I’d like to conduct a poll and I hope our results are more accurate than the pollsters were on Tuesday night.
Raise your hand if Hugh ever told you he loved you.
Keep your hand raised if you felt awkward the first time he said it.
“I love you” became Hugh’s trademark – and he meant it. For Hugh, it was not only a genuine expression of affection but a reminder that it’s relationships with people that mattered far more than politics.
Whenever I had a conversation with Hugh and it would be ending, I would want to say, “I love ya, brother” but he always somehow beat me to it. So, I was relinquished to saying, “I love ya back.”
To end on a completely awkward note that Hugh would love, I want you to turn to a stranger and tell them you love them.
As Amy and I leave you, the even number oner thing we want you to know about Hugh is how much he loved you. It goes without saying that we love him back.
Finally, I want to leave you with my last words with Hugh. I’ll explain them more fully in the podcast. But here is an image of those texts…
One day I will truly open up about the struggles we have had with our son. Know this – plans must change sometimes – abruptly. I was going to go to the rally. But I didn’t. I was going to meet Hugh for dinner. But I didn’t. Hugh wanted a few minutes of my time just to chat and breathe positive words into my life. But I wasn’t in the frame of mind. So I essentially blew him off. My best friend. I rejected that request for a call because I wasn’t in the head space. The haunting line in that brief text exchange? “Maybe someday.” That’s what I said. Maybe someday.
Hugh died a few hours after these texts. Someday is not promised. So live fully and completely today. To quote myself from Hugh’s service at the Capitol…
Live like Hugh. Laugh like Hugh. Serve like Hugh. And love like Hugh.
To do so would make Colorado eminently better and would truly finish his work.
