Hi-Line Hero: Kelly Brough

A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities. Heroes come in many forms in life. We look up to our heroes. They are role models, shining examples of what we should be. They are selfless, genuinely good persons. Often, they are willing to risk their own life to save another.

One of the things I love about living in north-central Montana and the Hi-Line is the people. Just when you think you know everything and everybody ... you learn something new! This was the case a couple of weeks ago when I attended the birthday party for my granddaughter Janessa at the new Beaver Creek Perk. After the party, I saw Jane Henderson sitting at a table with some ladies I didn't know. Jane is married to my cousin Mark Henderson and I've known Jane from my days of working at Northern Montana Health Care. Jane introduced me to her mother and two sisters, Sue and Jody.

Jane mentioned that she has enjoyed the articles I've been writing about "Hi-Line Heroes". An instant spark ignited in her sister Sue Nall. "I have just the person you need to write about - Kelly Brough! We graduated from Havre High School in 1982. We were childhood friends ... and we're still friends. Kelly is in the final running for Mayor of Denver."

The Mayor of Denver! How did this all come about? And so, with the help of Sue Nall, I started to learn about Kelly Brough.

Kelly was born in Shelby, Montana. Her father was murdered when she was just a small child. Her mother raised two young children in the face of that terrible tragedy.

But good things happen to good people and her mother Jean married Larry Broere. They raised their family (Kelly, brothers Keith and Kory) in Havre, Montana. But along the way Larry Broere became injured and could no longer work. They relied on government assistance, food stamps and free school lunches to make ends meet. Many helping hands from the government and the community eased the rough spots but it was education that changed the family's direction. Her father returned to school and earned a degree in diesel mechanics. He began a very fulfilling profession as a teacher and manager. This put the family on a stable road for their future.

During her HHS days, Kelly was involved in Key Club, Pep Club, on the First Bank Junior Board of Directors. She had many friends. She worked at the Dairy Queen and with the family cleaning businesses such as banks in the evenings.

It was from her father's example and education that Kelly saw the power of education. She worked nights and weekends to put herself through college. It gave her a passion, defined by the career of her father and herself, to give families and disadvantaged children the same path that Kelly followed.

Kelly gave this metaphor for her own life: "How to learn to drive in a Chevy '63 pickup. No power steering, no power brakes. I was very small when I went to Havre High School, barely 100 pounds, not 5' tall. I told my dad, 'This is hard. Why can't I learn to drive with a car?' He said, 'Honey, if you can learn to drive this, you can learn to drive anything.' Challenges prepare us for what lies ahead. My dad's wisdom was absolutely right."

Kelly moved to Bozeman after high school graduation and received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1986. This was followed by an MBA from the University of Colorado - Denver in 1989. In 1985, Kelly married fellow Blue Pony Mike Brough and they had two daughters Taylor Jade and Mackenzie Hunter. Kelly and Mike divorced in 2011 and Mike returned to Havre.

From 2003-2009, she worked for the mayor of Denver finishing as the Chief of Staff. As part of the leadership team in the Mayor Hickenlooper administration, Kelly helped put Denver on the national stage by:

• Overseeing the hosting of the Democratic National Convention.

• Delivering Denver's 311, a phone and chat system that provides residents with an effortless, accessible way to navigate city services.

• Helping create the city's first chief financial officer position.

• Balancing the city's budget in response to the Great Recession.

From 2009 to 2021, Kelly Brough was the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. In 2021 she began working as the chief strategy officer at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

"I think the next mayor has some tough work and tough decisions ahead," Kelly recently said. "I am running for this office because my experience has prepared me for it."

In a recent ad for her mayoral candidacy Kelly shared, "I'm new to this whole candidate thing. I've never run for office before ... but I have run the city as Mayor Hickenlooper's chief of staff. I'm Kelly Brough and far-fetched empty promises wouldn't solve our problems. I'll never promise something I can't deliver. That's why I'm endorsed by Denver Police Officers, two former police chiefs, Governor Ritter, Wellington and Wilma Webb. They know that the most qualified man for the job ... is a woman. That's me."

First woman to be a Denver mayor's chief of staff. First woman to be the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. First woman mayor of Denver?

Kelly Brough, please know that your home town is very, very proud of you. You are a true hero, sacrificing much to make life better for so many. You've taken the things you learned here on the Hi-Line and you are leaving a legacy to change lives and make life better for many, young and old.

And to the people of this area and beyond, if you have relatives living in metro Denver, call them and tell them how proud we are of "Kelly Brough, one of our own. Vote!" The election is Tuesday, June 5.

Much of this information I received from Sue Bachini Nall, now living in Grand Junction, Colorado. She concluded her information with the best endorsement. "So happy you are doing this! Kelly and I have been friends since we were kids. She is truly a Hometown Hero and I am her biggest fan."

I am reminded of a verse in the Bible that talks about a woman named Esther who found herself in a position to rescue her people, the Jews, from death. But, if she followed through with her plans to intervene, she put her own life at risk because of the laws at that time. Esther was reluctant, but she trusted that God sovereignly put her in that position at that time to do what needed to be done. This tested her faith and God was working all things for good in her situation.

"You were born for such a time as this." Esther 4:14.

Best wishes to you, Kelly Brough. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are proud that you call the Hi-Line "Home."

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Ila McClenahan is a retired hospital chaplain and activity director living in the Amos community north of Havre, where she was raised. She keeps busy speaking at events, directing church camps, volunteering and trying to be a good wife, mother and grandmother.