Living in Lafayette

: Oral History with Arlee Lee; In her oral history interview conducted on July 18th, 2024, Arlee Lee reflected on her life with interviewers Wendy Mills and Jade Felthoven. Speaking from her home of fifty-two years, Arlee commented on the immense changes that Lafayette has gone through in her lifetime. She also told stories of raising her family and interacting with local neighbors and groups within the rapidly growing town.

: Oral History with David and Vicki Trumbo; In this oral history interview conducted on August 26, 2024, David and Vicki Trumbo discuss their time and contributions to the city of Lafayette. David has had a career in Pharmacy as well as in local government, serving on the Lafayette City Council from 1991 to 1997 and the Planning Commission. Vicki served as the Director of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for 34 years. They discuss how Lafayette has changed since they moved here in 1976 and their hopes for the future of the city.

: Oral History with Doug Connaroe; In his oral history interview conducted on September 10, 2024, Doug Connaroe shared his historical knowledge and personal experiences in Lafayette, Colorado and the greater northern Colorado region both as a resident and as a journalist and historian. Doug’s interview covers a wide range of Lafayette’s social, agricultural, economic, and political history amid decades of firsthand experience of the city’s growth. Also included in this interview is a discussion of the Ku Klux Klan presence and racism in the area in the early 20th century.

: Oral History with Flora Kemp; Flora Kemp was born in Carlsbad, NM where she met her husband, Kirk. They moved to Lafayette, CO in 1989 and have two children. Flora describes her storied career at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center where she has worked since its opening in 1990. Flora started as a guest services associate, was then promoted to the building supervisor, and now holds the title of facility coordinator. In her oral history interview conducted on August 21st, 2024, she details how the rec center has changed over the years, her responsibilities, the challenges of navigating the Covid-19 pandemic, and her hopes for the future.

: Oral History with Gerry Morrell; Gerald (Gerry) Morrell was born on September 21st, 1951, in Denver, Colorado. In his oral history interview conducted on July 1st, 2024, Gerry spoke about living in Lafayette, Colorado. He moved to Lafayette in 1964 and attended junior and senior high school in Lafayette, Colorado. Gerry holds a two-year certificate degree in graphic communication and applied arts from the Boulder Tech Ceneter and an additional degree in fire science. Gerry and his wife Janet were married in 1970 and raised four children in Lafayette, Colorado. He has had an extensive career in the northern Colorado area as a business owner, volunteer firefighter, and photographer. Gerry and Janet opened their small business, Morrell Printing Solutions, in 1975, which is still open as of 2024. Gerry worked as a volunteer firefighter in Lafayette in 1975, where he eventually became firefighter chief from 2001 till his retirement in 2015. He also served as a city council member in Lafayette from 1988-1996, where he oversaw the development of the Lafayette recreational center, public library, golf course, and other population growth issues that affected the city. Additionally, Gerry is a lifelong landscape photographer as has captured many images of Colorado’s open space and wildlife.

: Oral History with Jim Ortega; In this oral history, Jim Ortega describes his life in Lafayette, Colorado where he was raised. Jim discusses the Lafayette of his childhood and the changes that have occurred. He talks in detail about his career with the telephone company and all the changes that he was instrumental in bringing to fruition.

: Oral History with Jim Yoshihara; Akio “Jim” Yoshihara was born August 8th, 1939 in Venice, California. He and his father, Yasutaro Yoshihara, his mother, Kukimo (Ishii) Yoshihara, and two older siblings moved to Lafayette, Colorado in 1948. He eventually married his late wife, Maryann, in 1962, and the couple raised two daughters in Lafayette. In his oral history interview conducted on July 16, 2024, Jim shared many memories and stories of his time living in Colorado. Much of the interview describes Yoshihara's childhood and family; in February 1942, two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Yoshihara family was forced to assemble in Santa Anita Park, a racetrack in north Los Angeles, for several weeks and were eventually forced to blindly travel by train to Colorado and interned at Granada Relocation Center, better known as Camp Amache, for three years. Once in Lafayette, the family began farming and opened Lafayette Florist in 1949. Jim eventually severed in the U.S. army and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art from Colorado State University in 1966. Jim opened his own florist business in Boulder, Colorado and worked in marketing. He is retired as of 2024 and enjoys spending time with his children, grandchildren, and other members of the Lafayette community. Jim's interview highlights how the community of Lafayette has grown through the eyes of a longtime resident.

: Oral History with Mike Beranek; In this interview, Mike provides the history of his family with his father working in the coal mines. He also describes his neighborhood and what it was like to grow up and go to school in Lafayatte. Mike provides extensive information about his work for over three decades at Rocky Flats.

: Oral History with Rick Bashor; In this interview, Rick Bashor discusses his start in the Lafayette Police Department as a reserve in 1983 and his path to becoming the Police Chief, a title which he currently holds at the time of this interview. He also discusses the community of Lafayette and his approach to policing and keeping the city safe and thriving.

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