By Leah Ballard
Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County
Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County has received a generous donation of riverfront property on South 5th Street from Sam Cassidy, former lieutenant governor and state senator.
In a recent interview, Cassidy shared his belief in the importance of giving, stating, “There is a place in everyone’s spirit where we have a place for giving; we just need to nurture it.”
Cassidy has a history of community involvement and generosity.
Originally from Louisiana, he relocated to Oklahoma in the 1970s to pursue his undergraduate degree. During his law school days, he and his friends often drove through the night on Fridays to ski for the weekend, returning just in time for Monday classes.
Cassidy’s eldest daughter, Rachael, shared that her father “always wanted to do good things for the people around him — the people in his community.”
After completing his education, Cassidy moved to Pagosa Springs in 1983 to raise his family.
Cassidy’s dedication to his community extended to public service. In addition to elected office, he was a professor at the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, the first chair of the Department of Business Ethics and Legal Studies, the president and CEO of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and the president of the Economic Development Council of Colorado.
Throughout his career, he witnessed the rapid changes in Pagosa Springs, noting the increasing cost of living and the loss of neighborhood diversity. Today, Cassidy and his wife live outside Denver and spend their time painting and working with stained glass.
Last fall, they reached out to Habitat Archuleta to donate the South 5th Street parcel, which was designated for a multiunit dwelling.
Cassidy’s donation is timely as the organization faces the challenge of moving forward in light of new federal funding limitations in rural development.
Reach out to Habitat Archuleta staff and volunteers to find out how you can get involved on the job site, support events or continue the impact of Cassidy’s donation. Call (970) 264-6960 or email volunteer@habitatarchuleta.org today.
