Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
Fritz Sprague, who led Lafayette through an era that included the COVID pandemic and a city government cyberattack with what colleagues called fearless and compassionate leadership, died in October. Those who knew him remember a sharp dresser with a big laugh — and a lifelong public servant who believed deeply in the communities he served. Sprague served as the Lafayette city administrator from 2019 until his retirement in May 2023. Sprague, who passed away after a 3½-year battle with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, had a career in municipal government that spanned three decades in Colorado, Michigan and Florida. Before arriving in Lafayette, he spent nearly 20 years working for the town of Castle Rock, including as deputy town manager, and served as assistant to the city manager in Commerce City from 1993 to 1998. “His dedication and passion for public service started early,” said his husband, Scott Black. In Lafayette, the city administrator, or city manager, is essentially the chief executive officer of the city and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of city departments. Born in 1967 in Spokane, Washington, Sprague pushed his local leadership to pave the road in front of his family’s home in his early years, Black recalled. He went on to earn both his undergraduate degree in political science and graduate degree in public administration from Eastern Washington University before beginning a lifelong career in public service. He took “tons of leadership courses,” Black said. “He was just very dedicated to improving himself and making sure he offered value wherever he was,” Black said. “He liked doing and getting things accomplished — the nuts and bolts of city management.” During his tenure in Lafayette, Sprague guided the city through turbulent years that included the COVID-19 pandemic and a 2020 cyberattack that disabled city systems. Under his leadership, Lafayette avoided layoffs as the pandemic unfolded, according to his retirement announcement from the city. He enacted a declaration of a local disaster emergency following the cyberattack to allow for state and regional assistance, according to past Colorado Hometown Weekly coverage. “He knew to put people in charge — he didn’t have to play the hero role. He was really good at finding out peoples’ strengths and putting them in roles that were unconventional to maybe what their day job was,” said Lafayette’s current city administrator, Kady Doelling, who served as deputy administrator under Sprague. During the pandemic, Doelling said, Sprague encouraged staff to adapt — even redeploying employees to mow parks or assist with other needs — to avoid layoffs. “Employees were really a priority. While maybe some other cities were laying people off, we were proud to pivot and keep everyone on through those tough months,” she said. “He should be remembered as a fearless and truly authentic person.” The city credited Sprague upon his retirement for “raising the bar” for city performance and championing training, education, equity, diversity and inclusion. He supported local nonprofits such as Sister Carmen, along with several initiatives with Out Boulder County, the retirement announcement says. Sprague also helped secure major achievements for Lafayette, including the “Global Settlement Agreement” with Erie to manage development along shared boundaries, the acquisition of Waneka Centennial Farm, and bringing the Medtronic campus to Lafayette. That’s a company among Boulder County’s largest private-sector employers, according to the city’s retirement announcement. Heather Balser, who was Louisville’s city manager at the time of the Medtronic deal, was a longtime friend of Sprague. The two met through events for city management professionals, years before either led their respective cities, she said, and developed a “strong friendship” as they were able to compare notes on ideas and experiences. “During the pandemic, we’d meet at McDonald’s because we both liked their french fries,” Balser recalled. “When you could only go through the drive-thru, we’d sit there with our windows down and chat — just to get a breath of fresh air with a friend.” When Medtronic’s plans to develop a new campus shifted from Louisville to Lafayette, Balser said, Sprague made sure to call her personally to share the news. “That’s the way he was. I knew he would call and be professional about it and that someday we’d laugh about it, and we did,” she said. “He always had wonderful things to say, he was the sharpest dresser, he was a big laugher — he had this big, strong laugh.” Balser described him as “a lover of local government” who brought innovation, “spark and effervescence” to every role. “You could hear it in the way he spoke about the community and his purpose,” she said. “It’s hard to imagine doing this work without him.” Black said Sprague’s commitment to Lafayette extended beyond his work. “When we moved here, I was looking for a new doctor, and he said everything had to be in Lafayette — ‘your doctor, your dentist, where you get your hair cut.’ He was hardcore,” Black recalled. “Everything we did had to be Lafayette.” Black said they also enjoyed supporting local Lafayette spots. Among their favorites were Morning Glory Cafe, Tangerine, The Post and Community Supper Club — although Sprague was also a “fantastic cook” at home, Black added. Outside of work, Sprague was an avid traveler and scuba diver. His LinkedIn page reads: “Have passport. Will travel.” Cozumel, a small island off the eastern coast of Mexico, held a “special place” in Sprague’s heart, Black said, and he achieved the level of rescue diver, training to manage dive emergencies and assist others. “He just embraced life,” Black said. “That was just Fritz.” A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 17 — Sprague and Black’s wedding anniversary — at The Gatehouse within the Lionsgate Event Center at 1055 U.S. 287 in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to local nonprofits, including Sister Carmen, SPAN and Rocky Mountain Equality, that reflect Sprague’s dedication to community, Black said.
