John P. Sheehy Jr., who served as the top lobbyist for the Colorado Credit Union League for 30 years, died Feb. 18, according to a statement released Sunday by the Mountain West Credit Union Association in Denver. He was 70.
Sheehy, who retired in 2004 because of health reasons, joined the Colorado league in 1973 and served as its EVP overseeing governmental affairs, public relations, member services and operations.
"John Sheehy represented the best of the credit union movement," Carroll Beach, former president/CEO of the Colorado Credit Union League, said in a prepared statement. "He was an excellent futuristic strategist and an exceptional legislative and regulatory advocate. The progressive and enabling Colorado credit union statute is due to his exceptional efforts."
Sheehy was hired as a league auditor and consultant in May 1973 and was promoted to director of education in 1974. A year later, he became the staff legislative lobbyist. He was also assistant treasurer of Colorado Corporate Federal Credit Union during the organization's first two years.
"John truly made a lasting impact on the credit union movement through his diligent work over the years to shape the laws for credit unions," said Scott Earl, president/CEO of the Mountain West Credit Union Association that now serves Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming.
Sheehy also served as a director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Denver for many years. He was appointed by three Colorado governors – Richard Lamm, Roy Romer and Bill Owens – to serve on the Council of Advisors on Consumer Credit. First appointed to the Council in 1977, Sheehy served for nine terms and as chair at the time of his retirement.
Sheehy is survived by his wife, Sharon, their three children and seven grandchildren.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
