Davidson, Harold G.

Hal Davidson

1926 - 2014

Hal moved to Evergreen in 1946 seeking relief from the asthma that had plagued him in Ohio.  His parents relocated with him and developed Davidson's Lodge along Bear Creek between Evergreen and Kittredge.

He was regarded as the longest-established Realtor in Evergreen (1950-1982) spanning a period starting when Evergreen's year-round population was about 500 with only a few real estate offices, through the early 1980s when there were more than 300 real estate agents at work, to the mid 80s when the number of agents had declined to about half.  He and Don Shephard founded the Evergreen Board of Realtors in 1966, the predecessor of the Mountain Metro Association of Realtors, an organization that stresses ethics and education for its members.  He served as president of the Board of Realtors and was named Realtor of the Year in 1975.

He based his realty/insurance business in a landmark log structure at the intersection of Hwys 73 and 74 at "the light" in downtown Evergreen (for years, the only traffic light for 10+ miles in any direction) until it was demolished with the improvement to the intersection shortly after 2000.  Davidson Insurance relocated to a business condo on Southview Drive.

He was involved in development of the Hangen Ranch subdivision.

Hal served as a volunteer with the Evergreen Fire Department from 1950 to 1975; a charter member of of the Evergreen Ambulance Service in the 1960s; and a founder and member of Evergreen Kiwanis Club in 1951, which, in the early years, also served informally as a Chamber of Commerce. His Kiwanis affiliation included serving as president and as lieutenant governor of the Rocky Mountain district of Kiwanis.  He was an active member for many years and was always regarded as a fine example of someone who contributed to his community throughout his life.

Hal was one of the first board members of Forest Heights Lodge, a residential facility for emotionally disturbed boys located in Evergreen.  In addition, he served on the board of directors of the Jefferson County Children's Advocacy Center and served as its chairman. Hal also took on leadership roles with the Jefferson County Insurance Association.

Hal's ability to address difficult issues and express an opposing opinion with a sense of civility earned him a reputation for being a real gentleman as well as a respected businessman and civic leader for more than half a century.

Sources:  Evergreen, Our Mountain Community; son Mark Davidson; Linda Kirkpatrick