Edward Conner Tomlinson
Real Estate Agent (Individual Broker (Employing))
Wheat Ridge - CO

**Professional Biography**

With a distinguished career spanning over five decades, this accomplished Realtor has been a dedicated full-time professional since 1971, currently serving as a leading broker with Metro Brokers. Throughout his career, he has positively impacted the lives of approximately 10,000 families, guiding them toward improved living conditions and homeownership.

**Community Engagement and Contributions**

In the early 1970s and again in the late 2000s, he chaired the Arvada Harvest Festival Parade, which has earned recognition as the premier community parade between Los Angeles and Chicago. He has personally assisted over 1,000 homeowners in Arvada in successfully reducing their property taxes at no cost. His commitment to education is evident through his support of teachers, principals, and classrooms at three local elementary schools.

In the early 1990s, he played a pivotal role in advocating against the construction of a second high school stadium at 6th and Kipling, successfully influencing the decision to relocate it north of I-70. In 1979, he chaired the Clowns of America National Convention held in Denver. During the 1980s, he initiated a national campaign in collaboration with fast-food chains and engaged with ABC News' Diane Sawyer to advocate for limiting high school students' work hours to no more than 20 per week. His contributions to the community were recognized in 2004 when he received an Honorable Mention as one of the 100 most influential individuals in Arvada over the past century.

**Professional Background**

He has been prominently featured in various media outlets, including Money Magazine, Time Magazine, and The New York Times, discussing the Colorado real estate market and property tax issues. He is the author of two bestselling books: *OVERTAXED! Your Guide to Honest Property Tax Reductions by Understanding and Effectively Protesting Your Assessment* and *Real Estate for Pennies! Investing in Property Tax Liens for Profit and Property*.

His leadership roles include serving as a past executive committee director and treasurer for the Jefferson County Association of Realtors, as well as treasurer of Metrolist Inc., the provider of Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems for metro Denver Realtors. He has engaged with the Colorado Senate and House Interim Tax Committee, offering insights for enhancing Colorado’s property tax system. He was instrumental in the passage of a significant property tax assessment bill in the early 1990s, which aimed to create a more equitable valuation process for property owners. He is also a Certified Senior Appraiser with the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers.

**Philosophy**

Guided by the belief that "taking the road less traveled leaves a path for others to follow," he emphasizes the importance of action over mere passion. His political journey has seen him register as an independent, then as a Republican, followed by a stint as a Democrat, before returning to independent status.

**Early Life and Education**

Raised in Old Town Arvada since 1951, during a time when the population was just 2,500, he grew up on the 5600 block of Brentwood alongside his three brothers—Blake, Robert, and Jeff—and sister Diane. He experienced personal loss with the passing of his father Jack in 1987, mother Betty in 1991, and brother Jeff in 2010.

He received his education in Arvada schools and pursued marketing and business studies in college. A lifelong learner, he values thorough research and enjoys utilizing both libraries and the internet for knowledge.

**Political Involvement**

Known for his independent thinking and candid demeanor, he has served on the North Jeffco (APEX) Park and Recreation District board in the early 1980s, contributing to the acquisition of the Senior Recreation Center, now known as the Community Recreation Center on Wadsworth. In the early 1990s, he advocated for improvements to local roads, including the addition of a bike lane, and presented a compelling case to eliminate city property tax and mill levy by identifying feasible solutions.

He has been elected twice as President of the Arvada Fire Protection District, becoming the first outsider on the board prior to recent tax increases, and has served as a director of the Jefferson County Housing Authority.

**Personal Interests**

An avid seeker of knowledge, he has a particular fascination with meteorites, also known as shooting stars. Additionally, he has appeared as an extra in various films, television shows, and commercials shot in the Denver area, including notable productions such as the *Perry Mason* series and *Father Dowling*. His experiences include sharing scenes with celebrities like Paul Anka and Kathy Ireland.