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John Suthers
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John William Suthers (born October 18, 1951) is an American attorney and politician who served as the mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Attorney General of Colorado, U.S. Attorney for Colorado, executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, and Fourth Judicial District Attorney. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Suthers was born in Denver and adopted a month later by William and Marguerite Suthers of Colorado Springs. His father died when Suthers was 15, and his mother died when he was 23.[1]

He attended St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, and the University of Notre Dame, from which he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in government in 1974. Suthers graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1977. He attended college and law school on academic scholarships.[1]

Career

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Early career

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Suthers as U.S. Attorney

From 1977 to 1981, Suthers served as a deputy and chief deputy district attorney in Colorado Springs. From 1979 to 1981, he headed the Economic Crime Division of the district attorney's office and co-authored a book on consumer fraud and white-collar crime. During his time as a prosecutor at the local level, he tried cases ranging from drunken driving to first degree murder and from shoplifting to securities fraud.

In 1981, Suthers became a litigation partner in the Colorado Springs law firm of Sparks Dix, P.C. He remained with the firm until 1989, at which time he defeated an incumbent[2] to become the elected district attorney of the Fourth Judicial District. He served as president of the Colorado District Attorneys Council in 1994-1995.[3][4][5] At the conclusion of his second term, Suthers returned to Sparks Dix in 1997 as senior counsel in charge of the firm's litigation section. He then ran for Attorney General in 1998 and lost 47.5% to 50% [6] to Colorado Department of Natural Resources Director Ken Salazar.

In January 1999, Suthers was appointed executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections by Governor Bill Owens. In that capacity he managed a department of 6,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $500 million.[7]

Suthers has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver School of Law[8] and as a scholar in residence at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.[9] He also has held several bar association leadership positions, including president of the El Paso County Bar Association and senior vice president of the Colorado Bar Association.[3] He served as Colorado Commissioner on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws from 1993 to 1997.[3]

United States Attorney

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In August 2001, Suthers was appointed by President George W. Bush as United States Attorney for the District of Colorado. He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate and assumed the position the week before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.[10] During his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, he led the state's anti-terrorism efforts and his office prosecuted several high-profile white collar cases, including cases against executives of Qwest.[11]

Colorado Attorney General

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Following the election of Ken Salazar to the United States Senate, John Suthers was nominated by Governor Owens and confirmed by the State Senate as the 37th Attorney General of Colorado in January 2005. Suthers served the remaining two years of Salazar's term before running for reelection in 2006. In November 2006, Suthers won election to the Attorney General's Office, defeating challenger Fern O'Brien by nine percent. During the same election cycle, the Republican candidate for Governor, Congressman Bob Beauprez, lost 56%–40%.[12]

Despite being courted in 2008 and 2010 to run for the U.S. Senate, Suthers chose to run for re-election. Suthers defeated his Democratic opponent, Stan Garnett, in 2010 election by a 13-point margin[13] – the largest margin of victory in a two-way race in Colorado that year. In both 2006 and 2010, Suthers received the endorsement of virtually every major newspaper in Colorado.[14][15] including The Denver Post, which called him a "tireless public servant".[16]

Suthers served on the executive committee of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) from 2007 to 2013.[17] He chaired the NAAG Criminal Law Committee from 2005 to 2007 and was a member of the U.S. Attorney General's Executive Working Group on Prosecution from 2005 to 2015.[3] He served as the Chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) in 2009-2010.

In December 2008, Suthers personally argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Kansas v. Colorado. The issue was decided in favor of Colorado.

In June 2012, Suthers was awarded the Kelley-Wyman Award by the National Association of Attorneys General. It is the highest award given by the Association and is presented annually to the Attorney General who has done the most to advance the interests of the Association. Suthers had been a principal negotiator for the state attorneys general in the National Mortgage Settlement in which the nations five largest mortgage services agreed to pay $25 billion in compensation for loan servicing misconduct.

Suthers was the second longest-serving attorney general in Colorado history. Only Duke Dunbar, who served 22 years from 1951 to 1973, had a longer tenure as Colorado Attorney General.

Mayor of Colorado Springs

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Main article: 2015 Colorado Springs mayoral election

On May 19, 2015, Suthers was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, defeating former Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace in a runoff election by a 68% to 32%. Colorado Springs is the 39th largest city in the United States, with a population of 500,000. The population of the metropolitan area is 770,000.

Suthers stated his priorities as restoring a collaborative relationship with City Council and other governmental entities in the Pikes Peak region, addressing the city's infrastructure issues, particularly roads and stormwater, and aggressively promoting new job creation.

In November 2015, his plan to increase sales taxes for five years in order to raise $250 million to repair roads in Colorado Springs was approved by the City Council 8 - 1 and by voters by a 65% to 35% margin. The tax was extended by the voters in November 2019, again with 65% of the vote.

In April 2016, Colorado Springs entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Pueblo County under which the city of Colorado Springs committed to spend at least $460 million over the next 20 years on its stormwater program. The agreement paved the way for a new water delivery project, The Southern Delivery System (SDS), to go online as scheduled. The system is expected to meet the water needs of Colorado Springs for the next 50 years. In November 2017, Colorado Springs voters approved by a 54% to 46% margin a stormwater fee to fund its stormwater program.

In April 2018, Colorado Springs approved an amended annexation agreement for Banning Lewis Ranch, paving the way for development of 24,000 acres that will accommodate the growth of the city for decades to come.

In December 2015, Suthers was awarded the Colorado Governor's Citizenship Medal, the highest award given to a citizen of Colorado, in recognition of his service as attorney general and for his work as Mayor, to put Colorado Springs on a "very positive trajectory".

In November 2016, Suthers was named Colorado Technology Advocate of the Year for his efforts in establishing a National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs and advancing the city's efforts to become a cybersecurity hub for the nation.

Main article: 2019 Colorado Springs mayoral election

In May 2017, Suthers was listed among others on a short list of candidates to replace James Comey as the FBI Director after a recommendation to the first Trump administration from Colorado Senator Cory Gardner.[18] While Suthers expressed gratitude for being listed amongst leading law enforcement officials from around the US, he expressed disinterest in moving into any federal position as well as disinterest in any future runs for the office of Governor of Colorado.[19] On April 2, 2019 Suthers was re-elected to a second term as mayor, capturing 74% of the vote in a four way race.

Under Suthers' leadership, Colorado Springs has become widely known as "Olympic City USA", for its identity as the home of 24 National Governing Bodies, as well as the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. In July 2020, the nation's only U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum opened in Colorado Springs.[20]

In 2021, Colorado Springs secured the final approvals for the City for Champions[21] initiative, a five-project effort that saw the City add a downtown stadium, a new indoor arena on the Colorado College campus, the Olympic Museum, the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center on the campus of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and a new Visitors Center at the United States Air Force Academy.

During Suthers' tenure as mayor, Colorado Springs' gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by a third from $30 billion to $40 billion annually. According to the Milken Institute, the city's economy was 98th among the nation's 200 largest cities when Suthers took office in 2015. In 2022, the city ranked among the nation's top 10 municipal economies. According to U.S. News & World Report, Colorado Springs was ranked the Most Desirable City in America from 2019 to 2022.

Electoral history

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Colorado Springs Mayoral General election, 2019
Candidate Votes %
John Suthers 61,830 74%
Juliette Parker 9,512 11%
John Pitchford 8,478 10%
Lawrence Martinez 4,160 5%
Colorado Springs Mayoral Runoff election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes %
Non-Partisan John Suthers 65,991 67.58
Non-Partisan Mary Lou Makepeace 31,666 32.43
Colorado Springs Mayoral General election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes %
Non-Partisan John Suthers 40,900 46.37
Non-Partisan Mary Lou Makepeace 20,783 23.56
Non-Partisan Joel Miller 13,794 15.64
Non-Partisan Amy Lathen 10,352 11.74
Non-Partisan Lawrence Martinez 1,125 1.28
Non-Partisan Tony Carpenter 1,048 1.19
Non-Partisan Moses Humes (Write In) 5 0.01
Colorado Attorney General election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Suthers 960,995 56.3
Democrat Stan Garnett 744,601 43.7
Colorado Attorney General election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Suthers 789,034 52.4
Democrat Fern O'Brien 652,268 43.4
Libertarian Dwight K. Harding 64,122 4.29

Personal life

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Suthers and his wife Janet have two adult daughters, Alison and Kate. Alison is a Deputy District Attorney in Denver, and Kate is a Commander in the United States Navy. Suthers has two grandchildren.

On July 1, 2019, Suthers' son-in-law Dr. Mark Karla died following a crash where the Uber in which he was riding was struck by a stolen car fleeing from Denver police.[22] The Uber driver was also killed, and the driver of the stolen vehicle was convicted of two counts of vehicular homicide.

Suthers has authored six books, including No Higher Calling, No Greater Responsibility: A Prosecutor Makes His Case (Fulcrum Publishing, 2008) and Becoming a Good Ancestor (Morris Publishing, 2011). His autobiography, "All This I Saw and Part of It I Was" (Gracepoint Publishing, 2023) was published in June 2023.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

John Suthers

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
John W. Suthers is an American attorney and Republican politician who has held prominent public offices in , including of Colorado Springs from 2015 to 2023 and from 2005 to 2015. A lifetime resident, Suthers graduated magna cum laude from the with a degree in government in 1974 before pursuing a legal career that included service as for the District of , confirmed by the U.S. , and as El Paso County . As , his office developed a national reputation for effective legal work, including actions such as lawsuits against entities accused of defrauding the elderly. Suthers also led the as executive director from 1999, implementing reforms amid challenges from inmate populations. During his mayoral tenure, Suthers prioritized infrastructure improvements to tackle a $1.5 billion backlog, fostered economic development evident in widespread construction, and advanced initiatives like a model for addressing through targeted interventions rather than permissive policies. He earned recognition for promoting cybersecurity efforts, including the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Center, and opposed full marijuana legalization, citing associated societal costs observed in . Suthers's career reflects a commitment to law enforcement and fiscal responsibility, though it drew opposition from criminal elements and policy critics. Currently, he practices law at and chairs the board of the Daniels Fund.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Influences

John Suthers was born in , , and adopted one month later by William and Marguerite Suthers, a couple residing in Colorado Springs who raised him there as a lifelong resident of the city. His adoptive mother, Marguerite, was unable to bear children biologically, prompting the couple to first adopt a daughter in 1946 before adopting Suthers in 1951. Suthers was raised in a devout traditional Catholic household by his adoptive parents, who provided a stable and nurturing environment despite his origins as an out-of-wedlock child who was orphaned at birth. This upbringing instilled values aligned with conservative principles, though specific familial emphases on discipline, faith, and are reflected in his later career trajectory rather than explicitly documented in early accounts. His father, William, died when Suthers was 15 years old, leaving Marguerite to continue guiding the family amid this loss, which occurred during Suthers' formative teenage years in Colorado Springs.

Academic and Professional Preparation

Suthers earned a degree in government from the in 1974, graduating magna cum laude. He attended Notre Dame on an academic scholarship. Suthers then pursued legal education at the University of Colorado School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1977 and finishing in the top quarter of his class. He also attended law school on scholarship. During his final year, Suthers interned at the District Attorney's office in Colorado Springs. Upon graduation, Suthers joined the District Attorney's office in Colorado Springs as a deputy district attorney, advancing to chief deputy district attorney by 1981. In January 1981, he transitioned to private practice as a litigation partner at the Colorado Springs firm Sparks Dix, P.C., focusing on civil and criminal litigation until 1988.

District Attorney of the 4th Judicial District

John Suthers was elected of Colorado's 4th Judicial District in November 1988, defeating incumbent Barney Iuppa. The district encompasses El Paso and Teller counties, including Springs. He assumed office on January 9, 1989, following his prior experience as deputy district attorney and chief deputy from 1977 to 1981. Suthers was reelected to a second four-year term in November 1992. His tenure, spanning January 1989 to January 1997, emphasized prosecutorial integrity, as evidenced by his office's actions against campaign contributors involved in crimes, including imprisonment of two such individuals and prosecutions for offenses like . This approach demonstrated a commitment to impartial enforcement irrespective of personal or political connections. During his time in office, Suthers' prosecutorial team managed and cases across the district's jurisdictions, contributing to local operations amid Colorado's evolving legal landscape in the late and . He did not seek a third term, transitioning to private practice in 1997. His successor was Jeanne Smith.

United States Attorney for Colorado

John Suthers was nominated by President George W. Bush on July 30, 2001, to serve as United States Attorney for the District of Colorado and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He assumed the role in July 2001 and served until January 2005, when he transitioned to become Colorado's Attorney General. During his tenure, Suthers oversaw federal prosecutions in the district, emphasizing enforcement against tax evasion, financial fraud, and drug trafficking. Notable cases under Suthers' leadership included the prosecution of Henry C. Bailey for , resulting in his sentencing on July 24, 2002. In August 2004, the office secured convictions against the former owner of a auto parts company for of funds and . Additionally, federal efforts targeted drug-related crimes, such as "Operation Choque" announced in October 2004, which led to arrests for importation, distribution, conspiracy, and . These prosecutions reflected a focus on white-collar and in the post-9/11 era, though specific metrics on conviction rates or office-wide statistics from this period are not widely detailed in public records. Suthers' time as U.S. Attorney preceded broader national priorities in and corporate accountability, but Colorado's docket under his watch prioritized domestic federal violations without major publicized controversies tied to his leadership. His unanimous confirmation underscored bipartisan support for his prosecutorial background prior to the appointment.

Political Leadership Roles

Colorado Attorney General

John Suthers was appointed on January 12, 2005, by Governor Bill Owens to succeed , who had been elected to the U.S. Senate. As a Republican, Suthers won election to a full four-year term in November 2006 and was re-elected in 2010, defeating Democratic challenger Stan Garnett, the County , with approximately 52% of the vote. His tenure lasted until January 2015, during which he oversaw the state's chief legal office responsible for defending state laws, pursuing , and handling special prosecutions. Suthers prioritized combating , leading to Colorado's first jury conviction in a human trafficking case during his administration and indictments related to rings operating across multiple cities. His office also launched a safe surfing initiative to shield children from online predators and established a and Fraud amid the . In consumer protection efforts, Suthers secured a $23.7 million settlement from in 2010 for deceptive lending practices affecting Colorado borrowers, part of a multi-state agreement. As , Suthers defended Colorado's laws in federal and state courts, including successful negotiations in complex water augmentation cases in the South Platte River Basin to address groundwater usage disputes. His office represented the state in defending Amendment 64, Colorado's 2012 voter-approved marijuana legalization, against lawsuits from neighboring states like and , which alleged unconstitutional interstate harms; Suthers issued statements emphasizing the state's sovereign right to implement the amendment. In education funding litigation, such as the Lobato case, the Attorney General's office argued against judicial mandates that could require up to a 50% increase, prioritizing fiscal realism over expansive court-ordered reforms. Suthers upheld Colorado's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, enacted via Amendment 43 in 2006, fulfilling his duty to defend state laws despite evolving federal precedents. Following U.S. rulings undermining the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which Suthers had supported in an amicus brief alongside other states, he appealed decisions striking down the ban but ceased defense in 2014 after the declined to hear related appeals, allowing same-sex marriages to proceed. Democratic officials and advocacy groups criticized these actions as discriminatory, though Suthers maintained they aligned with his oath to enforce voter-approved statutes until invalidated. No evidence emerged of personal animus; rather, his positions reflected a commitment to legal defense irrespective of policy preferences, consistent with the office's nonpartisan mandate to represent state interests.

Mayor of Colorado Springs

John Suthers was elected the 41st mayor of Colorado Springs on May 19, 2015, defeating four challengers in a nonpartisan . He secured re-election to a second term in April 2019 by a wide margin. His tenure, spanning eight years until June 2023, focused on addressing longstanding infrastructure deficits and fostering economic recovery amid challenges including mass shootings, natural disasters, and the . Suthers prioritized infrastructure improvements, tackling a $1.5 billion backlog that included 60% of city streets in poor condition and a deficient system facing three lawsuits. In 2017, voters approved a stormwater fee that funded system overhauls, which Suthers later described as a crowning achievement after two years of public education to overcome initial resistance. Road construction enhancements and downtown revitalization followed, contributing to rapid and attracting younger residents through new developments. The "City for Champions" initiative advanced key projects, including the stadium, the Robeson Arena—which hosted international events generating over 10,000 hotel nights—and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic opened in 2020, solidifying the city's "Olympic City USA" status. On public safety, Suthers defended Colorado Springs' police department as better trained and educated than most, contrasting it with departments in higher-crime cities like . He attributed rising , including homicides and assaults, to state-level policies under Democratic legislative control that reduced incarceration and cash bonds, criticizing them for eroding deterrence without evidence of rehabilitation benefits. Suthers advocated for robust prosecution and diversion only for low-level offenses, viewing public safety as the core municipal responsibility. Economically, the city recovered all pandemic job losses faster than any major U.S. peer, losing just 0.1% of jobs compared to 4-4.5% nationally. Suthers led efforts to retain U.S. Space Command headquarters in Springs after its initial relocation decision to in , alleging political interference by former President Trump and highlighting ignored recommendations and cost inefficiencies in the move. He also pushed for stricter fentanyl possession penalties, arguing state measures failed to adequately punish traffickers and users. A court ruling upheld his administration's discretion in city flag displays, rejecting claims of discrimination in declining certain symbolic gestures. Upon leaving office, Suthers advised successors to prioritize core services like safety and infrastructure over expansive interventions.

Post-Political Engagements

Following his tenure as mayor of Springs, which concluded on June 6, 2023, John Suthers joined the Denver-based law firm as a . The firm specializes in government relations, litigation, and regulatory matters, where Suthers applies his extensive experience from prior roles as U.S. Attorney for , , and district attorney for the 4th Judicial District. His practice emphasizes high-stakes legal issues involving relations and , drawing on decades of leadership to advise clients on and compliance challenges. Earlier in his career, Suthers engaged in private practice from January 1981 to 1990 as a litigation partner at the Colorado Springs firm Sparks Dix, P.C. (later known in some contexts as Sparks, Dix, and Enoch). During this period, he handled civil litigation matters, building expertise that complemented his subsequent prosecutorial roles. This initial foray into private practice followed his early prosecutorial work and preceded his appointments to higher public offices.

Public Service Reviews and Advocacy

Following his tenure as mayor, Suthers assumed the role of Chairman of the for the Daniels Fund, a philanthropic organization established in 1997 with assets exceeding $1.6 billion, dedicated to granting funds across , , , and in areas such as , for the disadvantaged, support for the needy, and the promotion of free enterprise and ethical citizenship. In this capacity, he oversees strategic grant-making decisions that prioritize integrity and , including programs like scholarships for students studying in business and , which emphasize first-principles approaches to and over bureaucratic expansion. The fund's advocacy extends to fostering responsible public service through initiatives that counter institutional tendencies toward overregulation, as evidenced by its support for educational efforts highlighting the causal links between ethical decision-making and . Suthers' leadership at the Daniels Fund has involved directing resources toward projects that review and bolster standards, such as training and community , aligning with the founder's vision of rewarding self-sufficiency rather than dependency. For instance, in 2025, under his chairmanship, the fund facilitated surprise scholarship awards to local students, underscoring a commitment to cultivating future public servants grounded in empirical outcomes and moral clarity. This role builds on his prior writings, including the 2008 book No Higher Calling, No Greater Responsibility: A Makes His Case, which advocates for prosecutorial integrity based on verifiable evidence and causal accountability in justice systems. In tandem with these board responsibilities, Suthers has engaged in public advocacy through publications and lectures reflecting on efficacy. His 2023 memoir, All This I Saw and Part of It I Was, details lessons from decades in , critiquing inefficiencies in state institutions while praising localized, data-driven —drawing from direct experience rather than abstracted ideologies. These efforts prioritize undiluted of impacts, often highlighting how empirical scrutiny of operations reveals systemic biases toward , a perspective informed by his oversight of the Daniels Fund's grant reviews that favor outcomes measurable by community metrics over narrative-driven metrics.

Electoral History

District Attorney Campaigns

Suthers first sought election as for Colorado's 4th Judicial District, encompassing El Paso and Teller counties, in the November 1988 general election, where he defeated the incumbent to secure the position. The victory marked his transition from prior roles as deputy and chief deputy in the same office from 1977 to 1981, followed by private practice. He campaigned on a platform emphasizing prosecutorial experience and commitment to public safety in the Pikes Peak region, though specific vote totals and opponent details from the 1988 contest are not widely documented in contemporaneous records. Suthers assumed office in early 1989, initiating reforms in case management and victim services during his tenure. In the November 1992 general election, Suthers won re-election to a second four-year term, continuing his focus on aggressive prosecution of violent crimes and drug offenses amid rising local concerns over gang activity and urban growth in Springs. He opted not to seek a third term after 1996, returning to private legal practice with Sparks Dix, P.C., in 1997. His electoral successes reflected strong Republican support in the conservative-leaning district, with no reported primary challenges in either race.

Attorney General Elections

Suthers sought election to a full term as in 2006 following his appointment to the position earlier that year by Governor Bill Owens to replace , who had resigned to become U.S. Senator. In the Republican primary on August 8, 2006, Suthers faced no major opposition and advanced to the . In the November 7, 2006, , Suthers defeated Democratic O'Brien and American Constitution Party candidate Dwight K. Harding. Suthers received 789,010 votes (52.50%), O'Brien garnered 651,486 votes (43.35%), and Harding obtained the remainder. This victory secured Suthers a four-year term commencing January 9, 2007. Voter turnout and margins reflected Colorado's competitive political landscape at the time, with Suthers benefiting from Republican strength in statewide races despite a narrow gubernatorial loss for the GOP.
YearPartyCandidateVotesPercentage
2006RepublicanJohn Suthers789,01052.50%
2006DemocraticFern O'Brien651,48643.35%
2006American ConstitutionDwight K. Harding(remainder)(4.15%)
Suthers stood for re-election in amid a Republican wave year nationally. He won the Republican primary on , , against minimal competition. In the general election on November 2, , Suthers prevailed over Democratic Stan Garnett, capturing 960,143 votes (56.35%) to Garnett's 743,750 (43.65%). The widened margin compared to 2006 aligned with stronger GOP performance in that cycle, including victories in the gubernatorial and U.S. races. This result extended Suthers' tenure through January 2015.
YearPartyCandidateVotesPercentage
2010RepublicanJohn Suthers960,14356.35%
2010DemocraticStan Garnett743,75043.65%

Mayoral Elections

In the 2015 Colorado Springs mayoral election, held nonpartisan on April 7 with a runoff on , Suthers, former , secured 46% of the vote in the general election among 21 candidates, advancing to face former mayor Mary Lou Makepeace, who received 24%. Suthers won the runoff decisively with approximately 68% of the vote to Makepeace's 32%, based on nearly 96,000 ballots cast.
CandidateGeneral Election Vote % (April 7, 2015)Runoff Vote % (May 19, 2015)
46%68%
Mary Lou Makepeace24%32%
Others (e.g., Joel Miller)30% (combined)N/A
Suthers sought re-election to a second term in the April 2, 2019 municipal election, defeating challengers Juliette Parker, John Pitchford, and Lawrence Martinez with 72.51% of the vote (69,771 votes out of 96,227 total). No runoff was required as he exceeded 50%.
CandidateVotesPercentage
John Suthers69,77172.51%
Juliette Parker11,45311.90%
John Pitchford9,99410.39%
Lawrence Joseph Martinez5,0095.21%
Following his 2019 victory, Suthers stated it would be his final campaign for , and he did not seek a third term in 2023.

Policy Positions and Controversies

Suthers has consistently advocated for robust and a tough-on-crime approach, rooted in his experience as El Paso County from 1988 to 1997 and executive director of the from 1997 to 2005. As from 2005 to 2015, he prioritized prosecuting financial , including lawsuits against major foreclosure law firms accused of defrauding homeowners and investors through improper practices. He has criticized policies that undermine police authority, such as claims of widespread assaults on agents lacking data support, emphasizing that must not be portrayed as inherently problematic. On immigration, Suthers opposed state policies facilitating benefits for undocumented individuals, issuing a 2012 legal opinion condemning a community college's decision to offer in-state tuition to illegal immigrants as contrary to state law. He advocated for federal-state cooperation in enforcement, warning that ICE detentions could disrupt local but stressing the need to prioritize public safety over measures. In , Suthers defended Colorado's constitutional ban on as , arguing in 2014 court filings that the issue belonged to voters and legislators rather than judges, despite anticipating its likely legalization. He maintained that attorneys general have a duty to defend state laws, even those personally objectionable, to preserve institutional authority. Regarding gun rights, Suthers enforced Colorado's post-2013 Aurora shooting restrictions, such as limits on high-capacity magazines, while issuing guidance clarifying that pre-ban magazines held continuously were grandfathered to avoid retroactive violations. His office defended these laws against Second Amendment challenges in federal court, upholding them in 2014 rulings, though he anticipated appeals. Suthers championed and , critiquing federal overreach in a 2012 opinion endorsing the Supreme Court's rejection of the Affordable Care Act's under the . As mayor, he supported , praising the Trump administration's 2020 rollback of expansive federal water protections under the Clean Water Act to reduce burdens on local development.

Major Criticisms and Defenses

Suthers faced significant criticism during his tenure as for defending the state's constitutional amendment banning , which opponents labeled discriminatory. In , after federal judges struck down the ban, Suthers appealed the rulings despite internal debates, arguing it was his duty to uphold state law unless clearly unconstitutional, drawing accusations of cynicism and obstructionism from advocates who viewed his stance as prioritizing ideology over equality. Similar backlash arose from his support for the federal Defense of Marriage Act in a 2011 legal brief joined by other Republican attorneys general, which the condemned as an endorsement of against same-sex couples. As mayor of Colorado Springs, Suthers drew ire from conservative quarters for blocking a 2018 contract with the Foundation, a group focused on restriction that media outlets have described as white nationalist; he cited concerns over the event's potential to incite division, leading to a where a federal appeals court in 2021 upheld the city's discretion but highlighted the decision's viewpoint-based nature. Some pro-gun activists criticized him for not aggressively opposing local firearms restrictions, viewing his support for state-level preemption laws as insufficiently absolutist following the 2015 shooting in the city. In 2010, a spokesman for a measure filed a criminal alleging Suthers physically confronted him during a dispute over campaign advocacy, though no charges resulted and Suthers denied wrongdoing, framing it as a heated exchange over legal boundaries. Defenders, including local business leaders and military advocates, praised Suthers for bolstering Colorado Springs' economy through defense sector growth, such as securing U.S. Space Command's permanent headquarters there in 2023 after against political interference, which added thousands of jobs and reinforced the city's military hub status. His mayoral record earned broad acclaim for fiscal prudence and , with reviewers noting mostly positive feedback after his first year in 2016 for welcoming events like PrideFest without controversy and stabilizing city operations post-recession. As , supporters highlighted initiatives like combating child predation and contributing to a $25 billion national mortgage servicing settlement in 2012 that aided homeowners, crediting his nonpartisan enforcement of laws. Suthers has maintained that his decisions stemmed from fidelity to law and local priorities, as detailed in his 2023 emphasizing decentralized problem-solving over federal overreach.

Personal Life

John Suthers was born in in 1952 and adopted at approximately one month of age by and Marguerite Suthers, who raised him in Colorado Springs. His adoptive father died while Suthers was in high school, leaving his mother to raise him in a devout traditional Catholic household. Suthers attended local grade schools in Colorado Springs and graduated from St. Mary's High School there. He then earned a in government magna cum laude from the in 1974, followed by a from the in 1977. Suthers married Janet Suthers in Colorado Springs, where the couple met, raised their family, and continue to reside. They have two adult daughters—Alison, a deputy district attorney in , and Kate, a commander in the United States Navy—and two grandchildren.

References

  1. https://www.bhfs.com/people/suthers-john/
  2. https://coloradosprings.gov/laaJohnSuthers
  3. https://fedsoc.org/bio/john-suthers
  4. https://iaals.du.edu/profile/john-suthers
  5. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-suthers-files-suit-a_n_794030
  6. https://gazette.com/2023/08/05/reviewing-john-suthers-memoir-highly-readable-and-compelling-cronin-and-loevy-f8ff0d72-317a-11ee-8ddc-fbe899b27c6e/
  7. https://gazette.com/2023/06/04/john-suthers-reflects-on-8-years-as-colorado-springs-mayor-the-most-satisfying-job-i-had-1dbc92e6-cf34-11ed-9450-0ff93966fe02/
  8. https://www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/colorado-springs-gazette-colorado-springs-creates-the-model-for-helping-homeless/article_ec7fde56-5475-11ed-b571-0bcd716396a6.html
  9. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/dont-legalize-marijuana-decriminalize-it-colorado-springs-mayor-tells-arizona-8664462/
  10. https://www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/suthers-autobiography-a-fascinating-story-in-self-actualization-cronin-loevy/article_d1b57c4e-3321-11ee-99e4-df58aadc1679.html
  11. https://pikespeakhospice.org/2024-quality-of-life-award-recipient-to-be-honored-at-illuminations/
  12. https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/john-suthers-and-matt-mayberry/
  13. https://www.danielsfund.org/about-daniels-fund/board-of-directors/john-suthers
  14. https://communique.uccs.edu/?p=148378
  15. https://parks.coloradosprings.gov/laaJohnSuthers
  16. https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/archive/attorneys-general-extol-satisfaction-public-sector-career
  17. https://ballotpedia.org/John_W._Suthers
  18. https://cle.cobar.org/cvweb/cgi-bin/memberdll.dll/info?WRP=facultyBio.htm&customercd=7361&srsltid=AfmBOooF3m1_GLQnPFvuvofjcwR-U69e-lYPPi--e5RheCa4otuV9efh
  19. https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-suthers-1160a0311
  20. https://www.justice.gov/archive/tax/usaopress/2002/txdv02072402Frame1Source1.htm
  21. https://www.justice.gov/archive/tax/usaopress/2004/txdv04080604Frame1Source1.htm
  22. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/states/newsrel/denver101904.html
  23. https://www.bhfs.com/news-event/john-suthers-recognized-with-2023-spirit-of-the-springs-lifetime-achievement-award/
  24. https://www.denverpost.com/2010/11/02/suthers-wins-second-term-as-colo-ag/
  25. https://spl.cde.state.co.us/artemis/lawserials/law11internet/law112008internet.pdf
  26. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/4-charged-in-alleged-child-prostitute-ring-in-colorado/
  27. https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/20469/colorado-ag-suthers-announces-237-million-settlement-deceptive-lending-practices
  28. https://spl.cde.state.co.us/artemis/lawserials/law11internet/law112006internet.pdf
  29. https://www.facebook.com/kktv11news/posts/the-state-of-colorado-is-being-sued-today-the-states-of-nebraska-and-oklahoma-an/10152718878743381/
  30. https://cochamber.com/2013/05/31/colorado-supreme-court-rejects-lobato-argument/
  31. https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Amendment_43%2C_Definition_of_Marriage_Initiative_%282006%29
  32. https://www.denverpost.com/2014/07/12/colorado-attorney-general-john-suthers-takes-fire-over-gay-marriage/
  33. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-joins-4-states-in-defending-marriage-law/
  34. https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/suthers-decision-to-support-discrimination-condemned-by-hrc-and-one-colorad
  35. https://www.fox21news.com/top-stories/mayor-john-suthers-reflects-on-his-past-8-years-in-office/
  36. https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/suthers-reflects-on-time-as-mayor
  37. https://www.cpr.org/2020/03/05/colorado-springs-mayor-john-suthers-on-race-and-policing-keeping-housing-affordable-and-the-states-infrastructure-failures/
  38. https://gazette.com/opinion/perspective-the-growing-crime-problem/article_30ff82cc-0772-11ec-8b6b-ff78e5421b67.html
  39. https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-colorado-springs-mayor-suthers-shares-new-details-of-trump-interference-in-space-command-hq-decision/
  40. https://gazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-court-upholds-mayor-suthers-right-to-discriminate/article_1d23a1ac-0484-11ec-9925-cbaf24a7e4b5.html
  41. https://www.bhfs.com/news-event/colorado-springs-mayor-john-suthers-to-join-brownstein/
  42. https://www.cpr.org/2023/06/02/outgoing-colorado-springs-mayor-john-suthers-exit-interview/
  43. https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2023/04/25/john-suthers-brownstein-hyatt-farber-schreck.html
  44. https://www.yahoo.com/news/outgoing-colorado-springs-mayor-john-035500959.html
  45. https://www.danielsfund.org/2021-05-26-mayor-john-suthers-elected-as-chair-of-daniels-fund-board-of-directors
  46. https://www.danielsfund.org/2021impact
  47. https://www.danielsfund.org/about-daniels-fund/board-of-directors/board
  48. https://krdo.com/news/2025/04/01/local-students-receive-scholarships-during-suprise-ceremony-with-colorado-springs-mayors/
  49. https://www.cspm.org/events/lecture-series-all-this-i-saw-and-part-of-it-i-was/
  50. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/John_Suthers_US_Attorney.pdf
  51. https://cle.cobar.org/cvweb/cgi-bin/memberdll.dll/info?WRP=facultyBio.htm&customercd=7361
  52. https://historicalelectiondata.coloradosos.gov/candidate/1301
  53. https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=8&year=2006&f=0&off=9&elect=0
  54. https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=8&year=2010&f=0&off=9&elect=0
  55. https://www.cpr.org/2015/04/08/colorado-springs-mayoral-race-heads-to-runoff-other-election-results/
  56. https://gazette.com/2015/04/08/colorado-springs-election-results-updated-suthers-makepeace-headed-to-runoff-for-colorado-springs-mayor-b9afb373-a076-5e14-bd05-7cc981146b00/
  57. https://www.denverpost.com/2015/05/19/suthers-coasts-to-runoff-victory-in-colorado-springs-mayoral-race/
  58. https://gazette.com/?p=1143048
  59. https://coloradosprings.gov/document/2019officialstatementofvotescast.pdf
  60. https://gazette.com/2019-colorado-springs-municipal-election-results/article_5b930f2c-5577-11e9-bf7c-3f5aadd106d2.html
  61. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/03/colorado-springs-election-results-john-suthers/
  62. https://koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/2019/04/03/mayor-suthers-says-this-campaign-is-his-last/
  63. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/colorado-attorney-general-settles-with-three-more-foreclosure-firms-idUSKBN0IQ2CR/
  64. https://www.consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com/2014/12/colorados-attorney-general-is-busy-making-things-rocky-for-certain-foreclosure-law-firm/
  65. https://www.cpr.org/2025/10/02/ice-agent-assault-claims-data-lacking/
  66. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/us/denver-college-policy-aids-illegal-immigrants.html
  67. https://www.cpr.org/2025/04/10/ice-detention-deportation-impacts-victims-rights-judicial-system/
  68. https://www.denverpost.com/2014/08/03/colorado-ag-expects-fire-from-both-sides-in-defending-gay-marriage-ban/
  69. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/suthers-to-state-supreme-court-uphold-gay-marriage-ban/
  70. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-veto-attorneys-general-shouldnt-wield/2014/02/02/64082fc8-887e-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html
  71. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-gun-laws-go-into-effect-facing-immediate-backlash/
  72. https://www.cpr.org/2014/06/26/federal-judge-upholds-colorado-gun-restrictions-sheriffs-plan-to-appeal/
  73. https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/28/john-suthers-the-boundaries-of-limited-government/
  74. https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Mayor-Suthers-EPA-praise-Trump-Administration-for-new-EPA-regulations-567249051.html
  75. https://www.westword.com/news/the-fight-over-same-sex-marriage-made-this-a-long-hot-summer-for-colorado-ag-john-suthers-5125192/
  76. https://www.lawweekcolorado.com/article/colorado-springs-mayors-comments-dont-infringe-hate-group-rights-sub-10th-circuit-sides-with-lower-court-in-controversial-contract-cancellation/
  77. https://www.thetrace.org/2015/12/colorado-springs-shooting-mayor-john-suthers/
  78. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/complaint-alleges-suthers_ws_765428
  79. https://coloradosprings.gov/SpaceCommandAnnouncement
  80. http://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/colorado-leaders-welcome-us-space-command-permanent-home
  81. https://gazette.com/2016/06/01/suthers-gets-mostly-glowing-reviews-after-first-year-as-colorado-springs-mayor-9286fcac-5a29-5901-bca1-2d650264896d/
  82. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/federal-government-and-state-attorneys-general-reach-25-billion-agreement-five-largest
  83. https://www.denverpost.com/2015/01/24/former-ag-john-suthers-wants-to-run-the-city-he-grew-up-in/
  84. https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-springs-mayor-suthers-son-in-law-suffers-brain-injury-in-denver-crash/article_5ba50408-8d07-11e9-a987-ff634600913c.html
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