Lawrence Anthony Manzanares

On June 22, 2007, Larry Manzanares began a new journey. He left the world a better place in the hearts, souls and minds of all the people he touched. Larry was born December 29, 1956 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind, wife Peggy Montano, daughter Feliz and son Miguel, parents Emilio and Sandy Manzanares, father and mother in law, Pete and Frances Montano, grandmother Isabel, siblings Stan, Mickey, Sheila, Jocelyn, Aunt Rose, nieces and nephews Brandon, Chelsea, Shanna, Kelton, Dillon, Dane, Teegan, Griffin, Martina, Nick, Sam, and many lifelong friends and colleagues. His nephew, Milo, preceded him in death. Larry shared a wealth of talent and compassion in his many accomplishments. A native Coloradoan and alumnus of Littleton's Arapahoe High School, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Denver with a bachelor's degree in psychology and received his law degree from Harvard University. He began his 25-year legal career as an attorney with Davis Graham & Stubbs in 1982 and subsequently practiced with Roath & Brega P.C. from 1986 to 1989 and with Brega & Winters P.C. from 1989 to 1992 before being appointed a Denver County Court judge in 1992. He served in that capacity until 1998 when he was appointed to the Denver District Court. He presided in the District Court's civil division until being sworn in as Denver City Attorney on January 4, 2007. As a private attorney, Larry practiced in areas of corporate law and commercial litigation professional malpractice, debtor/creditor rights and banking. As a judge, he presided over civil, criminal, domestic and restraining order cases. Larry published articles and chapters in the areas of professional responsibility, civil procedure, and trial practice and was active in numerous professional associations, non-profit organizations, and educational activities. He taught numerous courses for law students as well as practicing attorneys in the areas of commercial transactions, domestic violence, trial practice, evidence, and legal ethics. In June 2006, the Denver Bar Association recognized Larry with its Judicial Excellence Award. Larry served on the Colorado Supreme Court Appellate Rules Committee, and the boards of directors of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation, and Project PAVE (Promoting Alternatives to Violence through Education) and Mi Casa Women's Resource Center and LARASA (Latin American Research and Service Agency). He also served on various advisory committees for Denver Public Schools, including the Citizens Budget Task Force, the School Facilities Review Committee and the Mill Levy Oversight Committee. Despite the time he invested in his work and community, Larry found time to spend time with family and friends enjoying flying his plane, hiking, bike riding, riding his motorcycles and fishing. He was a gifted artist and creator, building sculptures, guitars, motorcycles and furniture and producing beautiful drawings, paintings and music. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 29, 2007 at 1:30pm at University Park United Methodist Church located at 2180 S. University Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested Memorial Gifts be made to the following organizations close to Larry's heart: Project Pave Mi Casa Resource Center 2051 York Street 360 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80205 Denver, CO 80223 LA RASA Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation 309 West First Avenue 1836 Grant St. Denver, CO 80223 Denver, CO 8020