Colorado's First Lady Likes To Write, Stay Out Of The Spotlight
DENVER (CBS4) - While Gov. John Hickenlooper is making tough choices for the state, Helen Thorpe is defining her new role as Colorado's first lady.
One thing is for certain -- she plans to stay out of the limelight. When Thorpe spoke with CBS4 she was very candid about keeping her career. She said she will not be traveling the state and crusading for a cause.
In fact, she doesn't expect to be seen much at all. Thorpe will be researching and writing while Hickenlooper serves as governor.
Thorpe is clearly happy to leave the headlines to her husband. In a church in downtown Denver Thorpe was surrounded by fans on Tuesday. They were there to buy her critically acclaimed first book, "Just Like Us." The book takes a look at the situation for both legal and illegal immigrants in America.
"Writing is my passion, it's what I really like to do," Thorpe said.
Thorpe describes herself as an observer, or a fly on the wall.
"I'm the shy person in the family," Thorpe said.
For years Thorpe has avoided the spotlight while her husband has thrived in it. In January Denver's former mayor was sworn in as Colorado's governor and Thorpe became first lady.
"I think 'first' anything makes me a little uncomfortable," Thorpe said.
Thorpe said she does have a first priority, though. That priority is her family. Each day Thorpe and Hickenlooper try to have a 5:30 p.m. dinner with their 8-year-old Teddy. After dinner Hickenlooper will often go back to work. Thorpe stays at home.
"I think the most important thing for my husband if he's going to do this time in office is that he comes home and he has a spouse who feels fulfilled, happy. So I know what makes me happy, it's writing," Thorpe said.
Her second passion is being a mom to Teddy.
"He said he thought he was really excited his dad had a new job because surely it meant a big pay increase and actually, funny enough, the governor does make less money than the mayor of Denver, so we had to kind of explain that to Teddy. He was a little puzzled," Thorpe said.
Thorpe said keeping her family together is a balancing act. She said close friends, hiking and yoga all help.
Read On
Read more about Thorpe's literary exploits in the Denver Post article Helen Thorpe: Colorado's accidental first lady
