Arthur Elmo Hougland, Jr.'s Obituary
Born in the high country of Colorado, in a mining town called Leadville on February 16, 1935, Art Hougland Jr. was the epitome of a Colorado man. Art left this world on May 12, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but his beloved Colorado mountains never left his heart. A firefighter, Fire Captain, Police Chief, Fire Marshall, Building Inspector, City Manager, and wildfire mitigation expert, Art wore many professional hats. He was well-known in the Roaring Fork Valley in western Colorado for his calm, even- tempered demeanor, expertise, quick wit, and extensive experience.
Art spent his childhood in Leadville, where he met and married Tina Payant in 1955. Art and Tina welcomed their daughter Vannessa in 1956. They divorced in 1957, and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Camp Pendleton. In 1958, Art married Barbara Baird. They divorced in 1969. They had three daughters, Carol, Donna, and Judy. Art remained in California, where he worked as a firefighter and later became a Fire Captain for the Garden Grove Fire Department. In 1971, he and his fiance Carolyn Swallow, returned to Colorado to be married at the top of Aspen Highlands. They relocated to the Aspen area with children Carol, Donna and Judy, along with Carolyn's son, Lance. Art and Carolyn later divorced.
During his time in the Aspen/Snowmass area, Art served as Police Chief, Town Manager, and Building Official. In his semi-retirement, he was sought after for his expertise in wildfire mitigation. In addition to his long and illustrious professional life, Art was best known for his love of mountain biking and skiing. He organized many hut trips into the Colorado backcountry, where he and his good friends would have a lively time. Whether downhill, cross country, telemark skiing, or on the dance floor, Art displayed impressive style. Art spent many days as an ambassador for Aspen SkiCo.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Hougland Sr. and Dorothea Hougland, former wives Barbara Baird Hougland and Carolyn Swallow Hougland and grandson Shane Pittser. He is survived by his daughters, Vannessa Robb-Hougland (Bruce) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Carol Hougland of Rifle, Colorado; Donna Hougland of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Judy Hougland of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and Son Lance Swallow (Annaliza) of Garden Grove, California. He is also survived by grandsons Seth Long (Tiffany) and Christopher Long (Heather); and granddaughter Madison Swallow; 13 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Chase, Preston, MaKenna, Brennan, Cole, Cruz, Jasper, Hailey, Nick, Bella, Jochlyn, and Zak as well as one great-great-grandbaby, Shane. He is also survived by his sister Kathryn Hougland Taggart and sons Andrew Shivley (Kate) and Tade Shivley (Monica) and their children.
A Celebration of Life is planned for September 13, 2025, at Veltus Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. More details to follow.
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