Jimmie Romero

Jimmie was born on June 19,1931 in Trinidad, Colorado to Gulurmo Romero and Lucy Martines. He was one of 7 children. At the age of 9 he was moved to the State Home and Training School at Grand Junction and then admitted to the Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo due to his learning disabilities. We can only assume that these were dark and lonely days for Jimmie.

In 1969, at the age of 38, Jimmie was transferred to Boulder to live at the newly opened Carmel House on the hill. It was here that Jimmie met life-long friends, obtained the skills necessary to eventually live on his own and began working in the community. Most notably Jim worked at Taco Bell and in Kmart’s garden center. In 1987, Boulder County ARC selected Jimmie as its Employee of the Year. In later years, Jimmie volunteered in the community through his senior program with Community Link and enjoyed delivering meals to the elderly and working with children.

Jimmie lost contact with his family years ago but is survived by many friends who loved him and will miss him greatly. They include Tina and Randy Mally and their extended family; friends Mark and Neil; Linda Botterill; and friend, guardian and “security guard” Alicia Alpenfels and her family.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 PM on Friday, March 16 at Howe Mortuary in Longmont at 439 Coffman Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Carmel Community Living Corporation at 3030 Sterling Circle, Boulder, CO 80301. Many agencies assisted Jimmie over the course of his life but Carmel’s groundbreaking program for developmentally disabled adults in 1969 allowed Jim a life filled with opportunity and choice. For that we can never thank them enough.

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