Chuck Green, a former Denver Post editor and the author of countless columns that ran in the newspaper’s Denver & The West section, died Sunday.

Green, 75, died after a short illness, said Joyce Anderson, his long-time secretary at The Post.

“He just knew the city so well and knew so many people that he had a lot of people that would give him leads,” Anderson said.

Green, who delivered The Post as a boy in Longmont, went on to work for the newspaper for 34 years, including stints as a reporter covering City Hall, the governor’s office, the state legislature and more, according to a family obituary.

During the 1970s and ’80s, he frequently appeared on television, according to his family obituary, serving as an analyst for NBC and, for two years, doing live commentary on Denver7’s 10 p.m. newscast.

He was the editorial page editor when he was appointed in August 1988 to serve as vice president of news. Within two months, Green was named editor and worked in that role until November 1989.

Green then returned to his role as editorial page editor. He would finish his career at the newspaper as a well-read columnist, whose work — like most columnists — was either loved or reviled by readers. He retired in May 2002 in a contentious departure that generated headlines in other local media.

“Three times a week, Chuck offered his thoughts on the world around him — current affairs, the beauty of our state and the joy of having a dog,” said Lee Ann Colacioppo, The Post’s executive editor, who worked with Green from 1999 to 2002. “He made people mad, he made people think, he addressed hot topics and he wrote about the mundane matters of everyday life. His voice became part of the personality of The Post.”

Green and his wife Susan later moved to Pueblo West, which is where he died, Anderson said. He wrote columns for the Pueblo Chieftain while living there.

Those who worked with Green remember him as a colorful character.

He was an animal lover and often brought his pet birds to the office, Anderson said. One bird, Reggie, would spend time with Anderson.

“Chuck would carry them around under his coat and Reggie would stay there quietly,” she said.

Anderson also recounted a story in which Vice President Al Gore was coming to the newsroom for a roundtable discussion with editors. His advance team toured the newsroom and commented on the long conference room table that sat 22 people. The woman leading the advance team said they couldn’t use the table.

“She said this is a roundtable discussion and this is rectangle,” Anderson recalled.

After the vice president praised his staff during the meeting, Green asked about the table.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God,” Anderson said.

Green wrote a column about it and it was picked up by conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, Anderson said.

“We had good times,” she said.

Green is survived by his wife Susan Green, who requests privacy. His remains will be cremated and there will be no services, as he requested.