Meet Peter Lindquist

Peter Lindquist has done a lot of things in his life, but currently serving as President of the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District (EPRD) board seems to be where his heart is. That could be because Peter, who grew up just down the hill, where he graduated from Wheatridge High School, used to come up to Evergreen with his family and skate Evergreen Lake, a major part of his focus with EPRD. “I knew the Nature Center as the warming hut,” Peter recalled.

After graduating with honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Finance, he spent 15 years in banking, “primarily in commercial loans, but also in internal audits and then anything and everything” including management and lending. Never leaving the banking industry, Peter added to his load in 2000 when he attended law school at the University of Denver. “I attended night school and found that it brought a different perspective. Eighty percent of the students were non-traditional, plus, the professors were professionals who were currently practicing what they were teaching. It brought real perspective to the studies.” He graduated a semester early – sixth in his graduating class.

In September of 2011 Peter stepped up to take over an opened position on the EPRD board. He then was elected in 2012 and again in 2014. Asked what he sees as the greatest challenge for EPRD he replied instantaneously, “public engagement.” Demonstrating his frustration he continued, “We need to have the District residents involved. What do you want? This is the public’s money; I would think that they’d want to be heard.” EPRD has held public forums, had a presence at public events, attended or asked to attend home owner’s associations, put questionnaires online and still, the response has been limited. “The last thing we would want to do is make a plan and then have it shot down at the polls. EPRD is here to serve our community but that’s tough to do when we don’t hear from anyone.”

Peter is involved in, or attends events throughout Evergreen not only because he wants to enjoy what Evergreen offers as a community but also as another resource to learn what people want through EPRD. “I know that locals get frustrated when events, especially at the lake, are crowded by folks who don’t live in Evergreen. But, it’s a public venue.” He went on to explain what challenges just Evergreen Lake present for EPRD. “Denver Mountain Parks is owned by Denver but EPRD manages it. We own the building that is on Denver-owned property. We try to limit numbers at the lake to protect the land, respect neighbors and avoid parking issues.” He then went on to explain that activities at the lake can involve not only Denver and EPRD but also Evergreen Metro District (for the water), Corp of Engineers (jurisdiction for the dam), Division of Parks and Wildlife (fishing), Jefferson County Sheriff (parking regulations law enforcement), Colorado Department of Transportation (located adjacent to the highway easement), State Water Resources Board and Open Space. (Phew!) He added, “Not to mention permitting from the health department and liquor licensing when dinners and drinking take place at the Lakehouse.”

Despite frustrations, Peter is thrilled to serve on EPRD. He showed his excitement at seeing the completion of the walkway at the lake that will enable people and non-motorized vehicles to travel from Bergen Valley to downtown. “It’s not all paved – some of it goes through Elk Meadow.” When asked if it is ‘dog-friendly’ he replied, “It’s everything friendly.”

Even with his demanding schedule Peter has always found time for additional volunteer positions. He serves on the Board of Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People. “We administer all federal funds for protection and advocacy for both mentally and physically disabled people.” He was formerly on the Education Foundation of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and chaired the economic development component for the state of Colorado Millennium Blue Print. He is also on the emergency Children’s Hospital blood donation list, “I think that I’ve given eight gallons.”

Of course there is also his private life - married to Pam in 1998, they have two boys, Jack and Cully who attend Evergreen Middle School. Peter has coached youth mountain biking and he and his family enjoy skiing, hiking, biking and hunting. “At the end of the day, it’s my family that is most important,” said Peter. “We believe in giving back to the community.”