3-Color The Sentinel 3
May 29, 2014
‘Mean Gene’ retiring after 27 years Putman praised for moving north area forward with transporation By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com When the Regional Transportation District board voted to delay rail service to the north metro area until 2044, Gene Putman did not sit idly by. Instead, Putman made a fluorescent yellow-green T-shirt featuring a commuter rail car with the words “We want to be railroaded” on the front and “with rail service not promises” on the back and wore it to an RTD meeting. “I was none too pleased about their decision, I was in their face constantly about it,” Putman said. He estimated since 2004, he spent 60 percent of his time as a city of Thornton employee working to get FasTracks up north. During the North Metro Rail Line groundbreaking in March, RTD staff joked that Putman was at the RTD offices so often that people thought he worked there. Mayor Heidi Williams said Putman has been instrumental to the growth and success of the city. “Recently, Gene fought for FasTracks and worked tirelessly to ensure the RTD Board approved the North line,” she said. “Gene is one of a kind, and will be missed by all.” After nearly 28 years with the city of Thornton, Putman — called affectionately “Mean Gene the Dancing Machine” by some of his coworkers — is retiring. June 2 is his last day. “Gene has had far and wide influence
on us over his career,” said Assistant City Manager Joyce Hunt. She said because of his longevity, no one else knows the federal and state transportation rules better than Putman. She also pointed out the valuable relationships he formed over the years with transportation professionals in the private sector as well as those with the Federal Highway Administration, RTD and CDOT. She added Putman’s longtime memberships with national groups such as the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, American Public Works Association (APWA), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the American Safety Services Association helped Thornton be on the cutting edge. “Gene is the one who introduced the lighted street signs on the mast arms that many cities have copied,” Hunt said. Putman started his career in Thornton at the end of September 1986 as a city engineer. He soon wore the hat as traffic engineer as well before becoming the assistant public works director from 1989 to 2000. Putman also worked as the street superintendent, building and fleet manager, transportation planning manager and special projects manager, among other roles. His most recent titles have been transportation manager and emergency management manager. “I’ve always felt if the city needed something I was willing to step in and do what needed to be done,” said the 64-year-old. City Manager Jack Ethredge said during Putman’s long tenure with the city, he was instrumental in several projects that have benefited the public, such as bringing RTD Access A Ride; the placement of covered bus benches; and the advocacy that led to the replacement of deficient bridges over
After more than 27 years as a City of Thornton employee, Gene Putman (shown here at the April groundbreaking of the North Metro Rail Line) is retiring. Putman is credited with being a driving force to getting the FasTracks line in the north area sooner than planned. Photo by Mikkel Kelly I-25 at 128th and 84th avenues. “Perhaps most of all, Gene Putman is a man of integrity and of vision, a person who sees possibilities and alternatives where most others don’t,” he said. “His contributions will be missed. However, we all thank Gene for a job well done and wish him and his family the happiest of days in his retirement.” Putman, who was born and raised in New Mexico, graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. After graduation he spent a handful of years with a consulting firm then six years with the city of Broomfield as its city engineer and traffic engineer. In his career, he has won several awards and recognitions, including the 2011 Leadership Excellence in Public
Works by the APWA and the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by the ITE. He and his wife of 39 years, Mary, have a son and a daughter. One of his passions besides transportation is scuba diving — he has been a master scuba instructor since 1981. In preparation of his retirement, Putman bought a fifth wheel, a new pick-up truck and a small sail boat. However, he plans on doing consultant work as a transportation engineer and spending time at the Capitol to lobby for changes with transportation funding, which he thinks is outdated. “I’m not one to just do nothing,” Putman said about his retirement plans. “You don’t work at the pace I have in my life and just turn it off.”
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