PLAN Jeffco treasurer John Litz named to the Jefferson County Hall of Fame 2022

“Few people have benefited Jefferson County and the surrounding area more than John Litz.”

—Jefferson County Historical Commission, Historically Jeffco magazine 2022

In recognition of the multitude of responsibilities John Litz has generously assumed on behalf of the community over many years, the Jefferson County Historical Commission has named John Litz to the Jefferson County Hall of Fame 2022.

Litz was nominated by JCHC member and historian John Steinle for his contributions in the areas of preservation, volunteerism and public service.

The award coincides with the 50^–year anniversary of the approval of the ballot initiative creating the Jefferson County Open Space park system.  For the last 50 years, John has been a workhorse on behalf of the outdoors and a living history record of the open space saga.

John was an original member of the group that started PLAN Jeffco to create an entity to acquire and maintain open lands for the benefit of the general public. The work of PLAN Jeffco in those days produced the structure that constitutes today’s county Open Space Division.

Litz co-authored the ballot resolution that provided key funding in the form a half-cent sales tax. He was also part of the advocacy campaign that succeeded in winning the overwhelming support of voters.

In the ‘90s he envisioned raising the money to enhance the park system’s potential real estate portfolio and he helped organize a successful campaign to persuade voters in 1998 to fund a $160-million bond issue.

Among his other contributions, John has served on the Open Space Advisory Commission for 30 years.  He is the secretary/treasurer of the Jeffco Open Space Foundation and a member of the Applewood Community Foundation.

He supported offering free student field trips paid for by the Jeffco Open Space Foundation to Hiwan Heritage Museum and the Lookout Mountain Nature Center. He has been a member of Kiwanis for 54 years.

John was born in Zambia, Africa, where is father found work at a copper mine during the depression.  John is a metallurgical engineer, holds 16 patents and authored many articles on metallurgy and engineering.

Why did he join PLAN Jeffco back in pre-1972?  “My wife was a League (of Women Voters) member and PLAN Jeffco needed some male members. Then one of the original PLAN Jeffco members who was the treasurer died unexpectedly. So I became treasurer and helped with the fund-raising.” He has been a board member of PLAN Jeffco since its inception.

Growing up in a remote part of Africa, John developed an appreciation for the beauty of untouched landscapes. Venturing out to collect firewood, he realized, “If we had continued north we would reach the Mediterranean without crossing a paved road. Now that is open space.”

He attributes his dedication to community service to being brought up to participate in things, rather than being a “spectator.”  John is known for being the first to volunteer for even the most tedious and burdensome tasks and always delivering, above and beyond.

Vicky Gits, PLAN Jeffco board