Former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Kurt Kupper Remembered

Kupper was one of the first environmentalists elected to the county board in 1972 and served for 12 years.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Kurt Kupper, a former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who was one of the first environmentalists elected to the board in 1972, passed away at the age of 83. Kupper served three four-year terms on the board, working with allies like Richard Kresja and Jeff Jorgenson to pass policies that preserved open space and required safety measures for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

Why it matters

Kupper's election in 1972 marked a shift in San Luis Obispo County politics, as the board gained its first environmental voices. During his 12 years in office, Kupper helped shape policies that protected the county's natural resources and pushed for greater public safety measures, even as he faced a 3-2 business-friendly majority on the board.

The details

As a supervisor, Kupper worked to require an emergency evacuation plan as a condition of Diablo Canyon's operation, helped adopt the county's land use element, supported an 'agricultural clustering' ordinance that preserved open space, and blocked a plan to secretly acquire historic buildings in downtown San Luis Obispo. After leaving the board in 1985, Kupper went on to manage the local environmental advocacy group ECOSLO and work in the recycling business.

  • Kupper was elected to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in 1972.
  • Kupper served three four-year terms on the board, from 1973 to 1985.
  • Kupper passed away on February 16, 2026, at the age of 83.

The players

Kurt Kupper

One of the first environmentalists elected to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, serving three four-year terms from 1973 to 1985.

Richard Kresja

A Cal Poly Biological Professor who was elected to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in 1972 as a slow growth candidate, serving two terms.

Jeff Jorgenson

Appointed to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in 1980 and later elected to a full term, collaborating with Kupper during their time on the board.

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The takeaway

Kupper's legacy as one of the first environmentalists elected to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors demonstrates the power of grassroots political activism to shift the priorities of local government, even in the face of entrenched business interests. His collaborative approach and focus on preserving the county's natural resources continue to shape the region's development to this day.