Janet Buckner’s unanticipated journey into politics is a remarkable story of love, tenacity and a steadfast commitment to community.
After retiring in December 2024, the former state legislator has been showered with adoration and praise by her friends, family, constituents and peers. She has received her flowers, and has been widely recognized for the tremendous impact she made when deciding to enter the political arena nearly a decade ago.
Now, as she reflects on her life, she shares that despite hardship, love, legacy and a lifetime of cherished memories can bring beauty and purpose to what was once sorrowful.
“I Kind of Feel Like My Steps Were Ordered”
Buckner was studying speech pathology at Ball State University in Indiana, when she encountered the man who would set her heart aglow.
She was an ambitious freshman who’d gone on a Coke date – an social event she attended as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – that left her unimpressed. Later, after returning to her dormitory, she received a phone call from the unaffecting suitor. Realizing that he was being coached by someone on the other end, she insisted on speaking to the mystery man, saying, “Who is that in the background trying to tell you what to say? Put him on the phone!”
The man was John Buckner, and in that moment, a small spark ignited a lifelong partnership.
The young couple dated through college and married in 1969. They lived and worked as educators in Elgin, Illinois, and moved to Aurora, Colorado, in 1975.
For John, teaching was a considerable passion, and one that provided an opportunity to touch countless lives. Initially, he worked as an assistant principal at Laredo Middle School, Smoky Hill High School and Prairie Middle School. For the next 17 years, he worked as the principal of Overland High School.
“My husband never intended to be in politics,” Buckner recalls. “He was a high school principal, that was his love. After that, he just wanted to either write a book or teach at the college level.”
“After he retired, we got a knock on the door. It was some young men who said ‘We think you ought to run for office,’ and my husband said, ‘Are you crazy?”
Identified as a strong candidate due to the many students and parents he’d worked with, his lack of political ambition turned to determination. In 2012, he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, becoming the first Black person to represent House District 40.
Buckner showed unwavering support for her husband.
“I would help him with emails. I helped him with his campaign. Then, when he was elected, I helped him with work at the capitol,” she says. “He was chair of the Education Committee, and I would even listen to the hearings and critique him.”
Over the next three years, she developed an unusually keen sense of what it was like to be a legislator. The pair would discuss political topics, and even when they didn’t agree, their love and collaboration laid the foundation for a political fairytale.
In 2015, John took a leave of absence from the Colorado General Assembly due to a health condition. Less than two months later he passed away.
Though she was devastated, Buckner realizes that destiny played a major role in what happened next.
“People were knocking down my door. Wellington Webb and Wilma came over; Gloria Tanner; you name it. Every political person was either coming to see me or calling me and saying ‘You should run for office.”
Familiarity with her husband’s work prepared her for the job, and despite the immense pain she felt, she wanted to finish what he’d started.
“I kind of feel like my steps were ordered.”
New Beginnings
One of Buckner’s most treasured possessions is a video that shows her husband’s acceptance speech after winning office in 2012.
“You won’t believe what he says,” she glows. “He says, ‘You have the wrong Buckner. In my household, it should have been Janet who ran for office and won the seat.’”
In addition to the cherished memory captured on film, she clung to the legacy he’d established during his time in office. One day, she sat with her son and composed a list of pros and cons. When the pros list was longer than the cons she realized that she had a responsibility – not just to her husband’s legacy, but also to the people he served.
Still grieving, she remained committed to his vision; and in 2016, she was selected unanimously by the Arapahoe County House Democrats Vacancy Committee to fill his seat.
A Legacy of Her Own
Once in office, it became clear that while Buckner was poised to continue John’s legacy, she would soon create a brilliant legacy of her own.
She became a powerful advocate for education, healthcare and social justice, championing legislative efforts that were deeply personal. She understood the struggles of everyday people because she had lived them – as a teacher, a businesswoman, a mother and a wife. Her experiences shaped her empathetic approach to governance.
From one issue to the next, she showed up and fought tirelessly for marginalized communities, supporting legislation focused on equity and accessibility for all.
In honor of her late husband, she supported education initiatives such as the “John W. Buckner” Automatic Enrollment in Advanced Course Grant Program, which creates an inclusive process for educational advancement; and House Bill 19-1005, which provides income tax credit incentives for Early Childhood Educators.
She also sponsored bills for public school finance; higher education transparency; college preparation and enrichment; adult education; curriculum transparency; school discipline; bullying; interventions for students with dyslexia and the landmark Universal Preschool program.
Throughout her political career, she was a member of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, advancing initiatives like the recognition of Juneteenth as a state holiday. She was also a prime sponsor for the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2020” also known as the “CROWN Act,” to ensure that companies and schools could not discriminate against people of color for wearing their hair in natural styles.
Her work extended to healthcare reform, where she supported initiatives that increase access to affordable healthcare for underserved populations. She sponsored bills to improve perinatal health outcomes and doula services, increase Sickle Cell Disease outreach and services and provide access to cancer screenings. As a result of her advocacy, the Emily Keyes – John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund was established to help increase the number of registered donors in Colorado.
She led efforts that called for equal pay for equal work, security for seniors, tenant protections, affordable housing and crime prevention, and her leadership was instrumental in addressing systemic inequities within the criminal justice system. She supported legislation aimed at reducing recidivism, improving rehabilitation programs, ensuring fair sentencing and minimizing family separation during incarceration.
The Key to Her Success
“I think because of my style and my willingness to collaborate work across the aisle, I was really successful,” Buckner admits.
“So I just kept winning election after election.”
Running as an incumbent in 2016, she won the general election with 57% of the vote. She ran again in 2018, becoming Speaker Pro Tempore; and in 2020 she ran for a seat in the Colorado Senate, winning easily with over 60% of the vote.
As a clear voice for the people, she observed the changing political climate and encouraged bipartisanship to help navigate the increasingly volatile environment.
“This sounds so mundane, but it is still so true that we are all more alike than we are different,” she states. “That’s what I found working at the State Capitol when I would work across the aisle, or even working within my own party. When we couldn’t agree, I could always find that point where we could collaborate and come to an overall agreeable position; and so many times that meant amending a bill, but there is a way to do it where we all get what we want by working together.”
Her knack for telling stories at the well – where lawmakers stand to address the legislative body – defined her effectual leadership style. The stories she shared highlighted similarities and added meaning to her vigorous work.
Tending Her Garden
Five years ago, Buckner reflected on her journey, saying, “I honestly and truly think that going down to the state capitol and becoming a state representative is what saved me. It filled that void and it gave me purpose.”
Now, after resigning from office and stepping into the next chapter of her life, she is planning to celebrate her retirement in a unique and special way.
“I don’t know if I ever really gave myself time to grieve,” she says. “So that’s one of the things I’m doing now is just reflecting…making sure that I’ve really dealt with John’s death.”
Members of Colorado’s communities gathered to celebrate her legacy at a heartfelt “Community Salute” hosted by the Colorado Black Round Table (CBRT) on Jan. 26. The program was filled with tributes from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, fellow lawmakers, educators and civic leaders who recognized her immeasurable contributions. She also received a tribute from Audrell Samuels and the Denver Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. titled, “Giving a Sister Her Flowers.”
“I am filled with gratitude for the guidance and support I received from Senator Janet Buckner during her time in the state legislature. When I first stepped into this esteemed chamber, I was filled with a mix of excitement and optimism. I was new to the intricacies of legislative work. I quickly realized that I was not alone in this journey. Senator Buckner took me under her wing, offering her wisdom and insight generously. She embodies the spirit of mentorship,” said Rep. Dr. Regina English.
Buckner says she will miss the people she worked with at the State Capitol, but she feels confident that retirement is the right decision at this time in her life.
She adds, “I think the best thing about my retirement is that I’m being given my roses while I’m living.”
An Enduring Gift
Buckner’s legacy begins with an idyllic partnership and over forty years spent with the love of her life. As a result of her courage and willingness to answer the calls of the community in the most difficult of times, she expanded the work of her husband and improved the lives of countless Coloradans.
In her retirement, she plans to continue her support for educators through the creation of a nonprofit organization with her family, which will provide funding and resources to assist in the selfless work of teaching.
Her colorful story is one of perseverance – a life well-lived and full of purpose, and evidence that there is joy beyond grief.
