Joe Blake
A Denver native, Joe Blake was a vital part of Colorado's business and educational landscape for more than five decades. While his early career included such diverse pursuits as FBI agent, legislative aide, and real estate developer, he was perhaps best known as the former president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, where he worked tirelessly to diversify the region’s economy and strengthen cooperation between business and civic leadership. Blake also helped to create Highlands Ranch, brought major league baseball to Colorado, worked to pass Referendum C in 2005, and was the first-ever chancellor of the Colorado State University System. Blake made meaningful and lasting contributions to our city and our state.
He was born in Denver and attended East High School, Dartmouth. and the University of Colorado Law School. A passionate community advocate and leader, he served on a wide variety of boards and commissions, a few of which include: The Denver Foundation; Denver Scholarship Foundation; Denver Police Foundation; Colorado Baseball Commission; Colorado Housing and Finance Authority; Denver Area Boy Scouts; Metro Denver Sports Commission; and the Denver South Platte River Commission.
Blake received significant recognition for his business and civic leadership, including the Denver Business Journal, Legacy Award, 2014; Metro Volunteers’ Heart of Volunteerism Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011; Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Del Hock Award, 2011; Boy Scouts Distinguished Eagle Award, 2009 and the American Jewish Committee National Human Relations Award, 2005, among others.
Blake passed away in February of 2022 at the age of 86. He is survived by his two children and four grandchildren.
He was born in Denver and attended East High School, Dartmouth. and the University of Colorado Law School. A passionate community advocate and leader, he served on a wide variety of boards and commissions, a few of which include: The Denver Foundation; Denver Scholarship Foundation; Denver Police Foundation; Colorado Baseball Commission; Colorado Housing and Finance Authority; Denver Area Boy Scouts; Metro Denver Sports Commission; and the Denver South Platte River Commission.
Blake received significant recognition for his business and civic leadership, including the Denver Business Journal, Legacy Award, 2014; Metro Volunteers’ Heart of Volunteerism Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011; Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Del Hock Award, 2011; Boy Scouts Distinguished Eagle Award, 2009 and the American Jewish Committee National Human Relations Award, 2005, among others.
Blake passed away in February of 2022 at the age of 86. He is survived by his two children and four grandchildren.