It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ron Baird, beloved and supportive father to Aurora Baird Jones, devoted life partner to Nancy Morrell , and cherished grandfather to Payton, Logan, and Brody who will carry his spirit forward in their hearts and lives. He left this world as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s dementia on October 19, 2025 at the age of 78. He is pre-deceased by his parents Ed and Jessie (McCormick) and his sister Chris.
Born in Kansas in 1946, Ron moved to Colorado in the early 70’s and never left. Ron was a journalist for Colorado Daily, Boulder Planet, The Mountain-Ear, and High Country News. He received First Place in General Reporting from the Colorado Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for his reporting on Gulf War Syndrome. He authored Fishing Colorado and Fly Fishing the Seasons in Colorado, and the novels Dark Angel and Black Wind. He wrote and researched for Colorado DOW and the Biodiversity Legal Foundation. His work—whether penned or photographed—was a celebration of the natural world and a call to protect it.
He was a sensitive writer, a natural story teller, and an advocate for the most vulnerable. He took complicated issues and made them understandable and interesting without dumbing them down. He was the smartest person in the room. He didn’t act like it; he just was.
He volunteered as assistant coach for Boulder High girls’ basketball, and for a 10 and under boys’ basketball team at the Y (“We were short, but we were slow.”).
Ron lost his right arm as a child and figured out how to do things his way, whether it was tying flies, driving a school bus, playing bass guitar, or operating a chain saw. He fly-fished, hiked, camped, and bushwacked throughout Colorado.
Ron was a kind and gentle soul. The easiest person in the world to like. He understood animals and people. His dogs on Magnolia Road were much loved, and never knew a leash. He liked mysteries and country music. He had a nice voice. His belongings could fit in the back of a Subaru. He guffawed. He slapped his leg when he laughed. His proudest achievement was Aurora.
Donations in Ron’s name may go to: Boulder Open Space Conservancy at https://bosc.org.
A wonderful tribute to a wonderful guy!
I’ve known Ron since I was 19 years old and I’m 74 now. He was my Wannabe-lyke in so many ways, and I like to think that my life in many ways emulated his. We kayak the boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, slept on the beaches of Mazatlan with one eye open at all times took whimsical trips to who knows where more often than I can count, and just I like to think, enjoy each other’s company immensely. I’ll always love you Ron and I’ll damn sure always miss you. Bones
Ahh, Ron. I remember meeting Ron at the YMCA in Boulder back in 1991. He was kind and charismatic and loved to meet new people and tell stories. I appreciate the love and dedication that Ron provided to Nancy. You will be missed, but your stories will live on.