Leon Young (1924–2001) was an American politician from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served on the city council of Colorado Springs and was the city's first African-American mayor.
Young was born in 1924 in West Monroe, Louisiana.[1] He was raised by his grandparents after his father died when he was 5 and his mother when he was 10.[1] Having to work, he did not complete the 10th grade.[1] At the age of 18, he moved to Colorado Springs where his aunt lived.[1] He enrolled at Colorado Springs High School but dropped out to work at a shoe repair store and later as a doorman and bartender at the El Paso Club.[1] In 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served during World War II.[1] In 1945, he returned to Colorado Springs and founded Young Janitorial Services which went on to become one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in Colorado.[1]
In 1973, Young was elected to the Colorado Springs City Council[1][2][3] despite Colorado Springs being 86.6% non-Hispanic white in 1970.[4] In 1981, he was unanimously appointed as Vice Mayor where he served until 1997.[1] In 1997, he was elevated to interim Mayor after the early retirement and resignation of mayor Bob Isaac becoming the first African-American mayor of the city.[1][5] He continued to serve on the City Council until his death in 2001.[1]
United States Navy
