STATE AUDITOR J. DAVID BARBA DIES

Rocky Mountain News
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Author: John Sanko News Capitol Bureau 

State Auditor J. David Barba , who oversaw financial and performance audits of virtually every key Colorado state government agency during his five years in office, died Sunday of a degenerative lung disease. 

He was 53. 

Barba 's death stunned state lawmakers, most of whom had been unaware that he was ill. 

``He was very quiet about it - he didn't want everyone to know he was ill,'' said Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Glenwood Springs, a member of the legislative audit committee. 

Barba , who held a master's degree in taxation and a bachelor's degree from the University of Denver, began working in the auditor's office in 1978. He was named state auditor in January 1996. 

As state auditor, he was responsible for overseeing audits of state agencies, departments, colleges and universities. The auditor's office claims to have saved taxpayers more than $20 million in the last five years as a result of its recommendations. 

``He was a detail man,'' said Sen. Norma Anderson, R-Lakewood. ``He never let anything go. He was so thorough.'' 

Arrangements for funeral services are pending. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Burnside; two daughters, Annie, 11, and Sarah, 8; two brothers and five sisters. Donations may be made through the state auditor's office to a college education fund established for the two daughters. 

OBITUARIES

Rocky Mountain News
Monday, October 22, 2001 

* J. DAVID BARBA , 53, of Westminster died Oct. 14. Services were Oct. 19, with burial at Highland Cemetery. Mr. Barba was born in Denver on Sept. 3, 1948. He married Cheryl Burnside, 1985. He was the auditor for the State of Colorado. He was on the board of directors of The Ranch Country Club, was a member of the AICPA, of the Colorado Society of CPAs, on the board of trustees of Colorado PERA and board of directors of CHFA. Survivors include his wife; daughters Anna and Sarah, both of Westminster; sisters Sharon Kelly, Barbara, Kathy Dreiling, Sandra Brown, all of Thornton, Mary Patricia Oakes of Las Vegas; brothers Nicholas of California, Bill of Broomfield.