Englewood Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson dies while hiking Quandary Peak

<p>Englewood Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson, 45, died on Friday after collapsing while hiking Quandary Peak, a popular 14,000-foot mountain in Summit County, Colorado. Fellow hikers attempted to revive him before first responders arrived, according to authorities.</p><p>Summit County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a hiker who had passed out and was not breathing at approximately 6:45 a.m. on the lower slopes of Quandary Peak, which rises to 14,271 feet and is the highest summit in Colorado’s Tenmile Range.</p><p>Other hikers performed CPR until first responders took over lifesaving efforts, as reported by Sgt. Mike Schilling.</p><p>The official cause of death has not yet been determined.</p><p>Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra expressed shock and sadness at Anderson's passing in a statement. "Joe was always there to lend a hand, whether it was in his role as friend, neighbor, pastor or council member," Sierra stated. "This is a tremendous loss for our city and our heart goes out to his family and friends during this time of loss." </p><p>Anderson was elected to represent District 3 on the Englewood City Council in 2019 and won a second four-year term in 2023. His fellow council members elected him mayor pro tem in December of that year.</p><p>Prior to his council role, Anderson served in pastoral positions at local churches and helped establish Change the Trend, a coalition focused on homelessness. He also coordinated a community service project assisting seniors and individuals with disabilities with home repairs.</p><p>During his time on the council, Anderson addressed issues such as homelessness, affordable housing, infrastructure, economic development, and pedestrian and bicycle safety.</p><p>He played a key role in efforts to repair and expand Englewood’s aging stormwater system following severe flooding in 2018, advocating for a balance between improvement costs and affordability for residents and businesses.</p><p>Anderson supported changes to the city’s development regulations to lower housing costs and homelessness, including streamlined regulations and smaller housing units.</p><p>Outgoing City Manager Shawn Lewis remembered Anderson as a supportive figure who encouraged city employees while challenging them to improve. "Mayor Pro Tem Anderson was this rare combination of a constant encourager behind the scenes while simultaneously challenging us as staff to think bigger and do better," Lewis said.</p><p>Lewis described Anderson as "one of the most effective, productive and positive council members I’ve ever worked with," recalling Anderson's offer to pray for him during the COVID-19 pandemic when his parents were hospitalized. "He cared for me and other staff members as people," Lewis added. "I’ll never forget the kindness and care he showed to me and I know so many others throughout his time on council."</p>