Shirley Amore: One of Denver’s Great Civic Leaders

Shirley Amore | Photo: Denver Public Library

Shirley Amore became the Denver City Librarian in 2006, and in her first year, positioned the Library to share in the 2007 half a billion dollar Denver bond election. She wasted no time and mastered Denver politics in a few months, not the usual years. The Library won with 60 percent voter support for a $56 million bond for branch libraries and new libraries at Stapleton, Green Valley Ranch and West Denver. It was part of the $550 million Better Denver bond package. The Library also received $69 million in the 2017 city bond package.

Amore also got the Library through the great recession, reducing hours, but always lobbying for more funding, which was provided in the 2013 TABOR Override. Afterwards, she was so pleased that all branches were able to be open a minimum of 48 hours per week.

Shirley retired in 2015 and continued to support the library and its millions of users.

Thank you, Shirley.