With Ken Bucks grandfather first starting a shoe repair shop in Greeley in the 1930's, his family has a long history in the state. The youngest of three boys, Ken moved around a lot as a child but his love for the West never changed which is why he chose Colorado as his family's home.
Over the course of his career, he has worked as a truck driver, high school football coach, ranch hand, school janitor, paper boy, furniture mover, adjunct law professor, prosecutor, and businessman. Ken knows what Colorado families face everyday and is well prepared to serve as their voice in the United States Senate.
In 2004, Ken was elected as the Weld County District Attorney. Since that time, he has led a staff of more than sixty employees and built an impressive record of prosecuting criminals, supporting victims, and promoting crime prevention.
Ken is passionate about addressing the problems facing Colorado youth. As District Attorney, Ken brought together community leaders to create the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC). To date, the JAC has helped more than 1,100 Weld County kids and their families get back on the right path in life.
Ken has also worked closely with community leaders and residents to develop crime prevention and intervention strategies to address other major criminal justice issues facing the community including crimes against the elderly, drunk driving, methamphetamine abuse and fraud.
Ken believes that the best strategies to solve community problems are to involve the community. He firmly believes that by partnering with the community, government resources can be maximized and chances for a successful resolution increase. Throughout his tenure in public office, Ken has put that belief into practice. He continues to actively collaborate with community leaders and residents to discuss not only problems, but also solutions.
Ken attended Princeton University and earned his undergraduate degree in politics in 1981. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1985 from the University of Wyoming School of Law in 1985.
In 1986, Ken was hired to work on the Iran-Contra Investigation and in 1987 he began working as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He later joined the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office where he was the Chief of the Criminal Division. Ken has also served as an instructor at the University of Denver Law School and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
Ken has life-long ties to Weld County and has been active in the community for many years. He has volunteered and served on the boards of multiple organizations including, A Woman's Place, North Range Behavioral Health, Juvenile Assessment Center, PAVE (promoting alternatives to violence), Fresh Start, a charter school for expelled students, the Genesis Project, and the Restorative Justice Coalition.
He is the father of two and has spent many hours cheering and coaching at his kids athletic events. Ken and his wife, Perry, enjoy the outdoors and are avid gardeners.