Ed Norden was re-elected to his second term as District 3 Commissioner in November, 2008. Prior to first being elected in 2004, Ed was a radio broadcast-journalist for 32 years including 22 years at KRLN/Star Country 104.5 in Cañon City where he worked as News Director, Operations Manager, and General Manager. Ed notes that it was those 32 years of reporting and attending literally hundreds of county commission, city council, school board, and special district meetings that heightened his interest in local government.
Ed Norden graduated from high school in 1968 from Kansas' Kensington High School. Four years later, Norden earned his Bachelor's Degree in Speech with an emphasis in Broadcasting from Fort Hays State University.
With his broadcasting background Ed has used his experience to emphasize the importance of communications with citizens in his first term in office. Commissioner Norden developed and maintains the News Now page on Fremont County’s web site as a way to keep citizens connected with what’s happening in county government. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good communications with the local media so the workings of local government can remain transparent.
Ed Norden’s work ethic as a county commissioner stems from his days growing up as a Kansas farm boy. The busy summer farm life meant working at a task until it was completed. He applies the same work ethic at the commissioner’s office. Ed starts his day with a 5 a.m. two-mile walk. Ed heads to KRLN Radio by 6:30 a.m. where he prepares weather broadcasts and records the daily temperatures and precipitation as Cañon City’s official National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observer. While Ed’s computer generated forecasts are heard on the radio through the day, Ed is a fulltime county commissioner who typically is attending to county business 40-48 hours a week including evenings.
Commissioner Norden has found the time to be involved in various groups and has been awarded for his efforts. Since 1991, the Advisory Board for the Fremont Campus of Pueblo Community College has had the pleasure of his dedication and service. Norden is a member of the Cañon City Rotary Club and past board member of the Fremont Civic Theatre. In 1997, the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce recognized him with the Distinguished Citizen Award. His outstanding contributions were further recognized in 2001 when he received the Harry Hoth Public Service Award from the Colorado Association of Broadcasters.
Ed Norden has been married to his wife, Janice, for 37 years. Janice is a payroll clerk at St. Thomas More Hospital. They have two sons, Matt and Luke, both Cañon City High School graduates. Matt is a BLM wildland firefighter in Cañon City. His wife Cassie teaches at Penrose Elementary School. Luke is a 5th grade teacher and high school baseball coach in Mitchell, South Dakota.
In his spare time, Commissioner Norden enjoys various outdoor activities such as golf, hunting and bicycling. The advice that has helped Ed the most in life is to be honest when dealing with people and to take the time to tell your children how proud you are of them.