Larry Ochs

Who was Larry Ochs?

Lawrence David Ochs was the last mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado to be elected to the post by the city council. Ochs served on the Colorado Springs City Council from 1967 to 1975 and was mayor from 1975 to 1979. Since then the position has been a popularly elected one.

Ochs was born in Russell, Kansas, and was good friends with former Senator Bob Dole. He lived in Colorado Springs since 1956.

Ochs played a role in bringing the U.S. Olympic Training Center to Colorado Springs. He oversaw annexation of the southwest area of Colorado Springs and the first delivery of water from Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs.

Ochs founded Acorn Petroleum Inc. with his three brothers in the mid-1950s, and later as mayor helped bring a propane storage facility to town.

The Ochs brothers own the old train depot on Sierra Madre, which is anchored by Giuseppe's Depot Restaurant. In the early 1970s, the family converted the train depot into shops.

Ochs was a recipient of the Silver Spur award given by the Pikes Peak Range Riders for community activism.