DENVER (KDVR) — America’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter Jr., died on Sunday at age 100, and many took time out of their days to remember his legacy as an advocate for human rights and democracy.
Carter died Sunday afternoon, according to the Carter Center, at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he had lived with his wife, Rosalynn, before her death in November 2023. He had been in hospice for over a year prior to his passing.
Carter was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 after he helped ease tensions between North and South Korea, averted a U.S. invasion of Haiti, and negotiated ceasefires in Bosnia and Sudan.
The former president, born Oct. 1, 1924, was elected Georgia’s governor in 1970, where he drew national attention when he declared “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Also during his life, Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.
After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” Many Colorado political leaders offered their condolences to Carter’s family in the wake of his passing, in addition to national figures like President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
President Biden said Carter will be honored with a state funeral held in Washington D.C. Dates and exact plans have not yet been publicized.
Pres. Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
Biden offered a lengthy statement on Carter’s passing through official White House channels.
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.
Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.
“We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.
“To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.
“And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
President-elect Donald Trump
President-elect Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to remember Carter’s legacy and impact.
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History.
“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.
“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
Polis issued a statement via email to media channels on Sunday.
“Today, I join my fellow Americans in mourning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100. As a Naval officer, a peanut farmer, and later the Governor and President of our country, Jimmy Carter championed the American ideals we hold dear: human rights, international cooperation, compassion, and equality for all Americans. I extend my deepest condolences to the Carter family during this difficult time and express my gratitude for President Carter’s leadership, service, and unwavering dedication to our strong and resilient nation, both during his time in office and beyond.
U.S. Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Bennet issued a statement via email about Carter’s passing.
“President Jimmy Carter campaigned on telling the truth to the American people, and he kept his promise. He was a devoted family man, principled statesman, and champion for rural communities. His post-presidency set a global standard for dignity and selflessness. Susan and I join Colorado in mourning his loss and recommitting ourselves to the common good he espoused.”
U.S. Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
“Jimmy Carter was first and foremost a good man, in the purest sense of the words. A champion of human rights. A trailblazer for affordable housing. A veteran. And a President who never forgot his roots as a peanut farmer,” Hickenlooper wrote on X.
“As good as it gets. There will never be another Jimmy Carter. Our hearts are with his loved ones today.”
Colorado Democratic party chair Shad Murib
The Colorado Democratic Party issued a lengthy statement via email.
“We are fortunate to have had as many years with President Carter as we did. As President, he helped us move on from an era of American history punctuated by the Watergate scandal with his positivity, grace, and calm. In the years following his presidency, he set a high bar for the service we should expect of our former presidents alongside his beloved wife and incredible public servant, First Lady Rosalynn Carter. From his community-changing work building homes with The Carter Work Project and Habitat for Humanity, to his dedication to peace and courage in calling out injustice at home and across the world, President Carter exemplified the best of us. His life and his service to the United States reminds us that we are bigger than our politics and his reminder that “to be true to ourselves, we must be true to others” is a lesson we should hold close as we enter the new year. We wish his loved ones peace, and extend our gratitude and appreciation to the entire Carter family for sharing Jimmy with us all.”
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver
Carter worked in Denver in 2013 in the Globeville neighborhood. The local agency issued a statement for his passing on Sunday.
“Former President Jimmy Carter set an enduring example of a life of extraordinary impact. He was a champion of human rights, whose passion for helping others made him the global figurehead of Habitat for Humanity.
“Here in Denver, we were incredibly honored to have met, worked alongside, and benefited from his generosity. He came to Denver in 2013 to help build homes in the Globeville neighborhood during his annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
“He was proudly self-sufficient, working hard alongside volunteers and Habitat homeowners, warmly speaking to the teams around him, and insisting on carrying his own tools. He and his wife, Rosalynn, built with Habitat every year from 1984 to 2019, prior to the pandemic.
“President Carter found fulfillment in his global service—from a 293-home build in the Philippines to erecting eight houses in the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea. Witnessing the need—as well as the self-reliance and perseverance—of those who otherwise could not access affordable homes drove him to a lifetime of service.
“‘All of you—including me—who was born to a family that had a decent house in which to live, we’ve never had to worry about improving our houses, and that gives us an opportunity to share the blessings that we have experienced with people that are not so blessed,’ shared President Carter during his 2013 Denver visit.
“As we honor and reflect on President Carter’s phenomenal legacy of service, we’re reminded how fortunate we are to be connected to so many others like him, who are committed to uniting people to build homes, communities, and hope.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. FOX31 will update this story as more statements are released.
