Frederick C. "Fred" Bores

Longtime Boulder County resident Fred Bores passed away on the morning of October 2, 2025, at his most recent residence in Niwot, CO. He was 77.

Fred was born & raised in Woodhaven, New York, came of age in the 60’s (made the pilgrimage to Woodstock — though due to the half a million strong, only got as far as the road to Yasgur’s farm — and was an adamant, genuine “conscientious objector” during that generation’s war). Fred moved out west in the late 70s, enjoying rafting many miles of the Yampa, Green, San Juan & other tributaries of the Colorado River. Eventually, Fred settled in Boulder, Colorado, where he founded and owned Alpine Electric from 1984 until the late 2000s (through which he helped spark the local careers of many in the field). Fred loved being part of the Boulder community, and was a steadfast supporter behind the scenes of numerous Boulder institutions, whether as a dependable electrical contractor for so many of Boulder’s small businesses during that period (from the old Bagel Bakery off the Pearl Street Mall to Southern Exposure and other notable restaurants in the city) or through his quietly generous philanthropic support of various Boulder community organizations & non-profits (such as the early events of Boulder PRIDE — the pre-cursor to Rocky Mountain Equality — and BCAP, the Boulder Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and later, the Flatirons Food Film Festival). Beginning in the early 90s, Fred made his home in the mountain town of Gold Hill for almost 2 decades, volunteering in that community by serving on the Gold Hill Historic Zoning Committee and as board member of the Gold Hill History Museum. Fred retired and moved back to Boulder city limits in the late 2000s, then finally to Niwot.

Fred Bores was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Bores & Florence Burkhardt Bores of Woodhaven, NY, and is survived by his siblings Theresa O’Sullivan of Nazareth, PA; Joan (& Robert) Cesario of North Valley Stream, NY; and Charles Bores of Columbia, MD; along with numerous nieces & nephews.

Fred (also, affectionately, “Derf”) was a much-loved & loyal longtime friend to so many of us (from Gold Hill to Gunbarrel, from Hawai’i Island to the New York islands), and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace & love, Fred.