Colorado Springs, CO
Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation (PPHF), the only community-based, nonprofit hospice and palliative care in the Pikes Peak region, is pleased to honor John and Janet Suthers for their outstanding contributions to the Pikes Peak region with the Quality of Life Award.
Quality of Life Award
The Quality of Life Award recognizes an individual or entity whose work demonstrates four core principles:
- Every life experience is exceptional.
- Optimism is powerful and contagious.
- To listen is to understand.
- Comfort and dignity should be accessible to all.
Please join us on May 2, 2024, from 7:30am to 8:30am at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, as we celebrate the Suthers’ unwavering dedication to our community, their tireless efforts to make Colorado Springs a better place and their remarkable ability to inspire others.
Janet Suthers
Janet Suthers earned her B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She is retired from a rewarding career with HP/Agilent Technologies.
Janet believes in giving back and has had a lifelong commitment to community service. As First Lady of Colorado Springs, she was co-chair of the Olympic City USA branding initiative and raised over $1 million to promote Colorado Springs’ unique ties to the Olympic and Paralympic movements and to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect and the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality. Janet also played a pivotal role in raising funds for over 900 low-income children to participate in youth sports through the city’s Park and Recreation department.
She has served on many nonprofit boards including: CASA, Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Pikes Peak State College and UCCS. She was President of the Cheyenne Mountain Board of Education, Chairman of the City Planning Commission, Executive Director of the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute and President of National Charity League. She has been a volunteer for Care and Share and United Way and continues to be a strong supporter of the Springs Rescue Mission. She is currently funding scholarships at UCCS for non-traditional female students over 25 seeking a college education.
John Suthers
John 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.
He attended St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1974, magna cum laude, with a degree in government. In 1977, John graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law.
John served as both private and government attorneys from 1977 to 2015, including as United States Attorney and Colorado Attorney General. In June 2012, John was awarded the Kelley-Wyman Award by the National Association of Attorneys General., the highest award given by the Association.
In May 2015, John was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, Colorado Springs has become widely known as “Olympic City USA”.
As Mayor, John spearheaded the Colorado Springs City of Champions initiative and in 2021, Colorado Springs secured the final approvals for the initiative which included the development of 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 John’s tenure as mayor, Colorado Springs’ gross domestic product (GDP) grew from $30 billion to $40 billion annually and Colorado Springs ranked among the nation’s top 10 municipal economies. U.S. News & World Report ranked Colorado Springs as the Most Desirable City in America from 2019 to 2022.
John has authored six books, including his autobiography, “All This I Saw and Part of It I Was” published in June 2023.
Janet and John are the parents of two accomplished daughters and the grandparents of two adorable second graders. They are both lifelong residents of Colorado Springs.
We are looking forward to celebrating the Suthers with you at Illuminations 2024! For more information about Illuminations 2024, please contact Andy Petersen at 719.457.8103 or apetersen@pikespeakhospice.org.
Table Captain Opportunities
We are also offering Table Captain opportunities for those who wish to invite their friends, colleagues, and family members to join us in honoring the Suthers. Table Captains will receive a special acknowledgement at the event and will have the opportunity to network with other community leaders. An ask for a meaningful gift will be made at Illuminations and all proceeds will benefit Pikes Peak Hospice Foundations’ ongoing efforts to help patients and their families live life to the fullest.
For more information about sponsorship or Table Captain opportunities, please contact Andy Petersen at 719.457.8103 or apetersen@pikespeakhospice.org. You can also submit your information using the online form on our Illuminations page.
Thank you for your support in recognizing the Suthers for their remarkable service to our community. Sincerely,
Andy Petersen – Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation