2026, at the age of 47. His sudden passing has left an immeasurable emptiness in the hearts of his family, friends, coworkers, and the many people whose lives he touched.
Louie was born on November 15, 1978, to his mother, Carmen Padilla. He was raised by his mother, Carmen, and his father, Mike
Smith, who loved him as his own. The loss of his mother left a hole in Louie’s heart that those closest to him knew he carried deeply. There is comfort in imagining Louie reunited with Carmen and Mike once again.
If you knew Louie, you knew his sense of humor. He was always kidding around, teasing someone, talking a little trash, telling a story, or finding a way to make people laugh. He had a big personality and an unforgettable presence. Louie had a way of making ordinary moments memorable.
Louie spent many years behind the bar, building a career as a talented craft cocktail specialist. His journey took him from Homer,
Alaska, to San Diego, Los Angeles, Denver, and Colorado Springs, where he continued perfecting his craft. For Louie, making cocktails was more than a job—it was an art. He created his own syrups using fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, spices, and other unique ingredients, carefully bringing flavors together to create something entirely his own. His one-of-a-kind drinks were made with love, creativity, and passion, and each one carried a little piece of Louie in it.
He later brought that experience and talent to Lucha’s, where he became General Manager and shared his craft with the community he loved. As his longtime best friend and business partner so perfectly said, “He wasn’t just part of Lucha’s—Louie was Lucha’s.”
Louie was a free spirit who lived life on his own terms. He was spiritual in his own way and had a unique outlook on life. He wasn’t
someone who could easily be summed up in a few words. Louie was simply Louie. As his best friend said, “He was one of a kind.
There will never be another Louie.”
Above all, one of the greatest and most important parts of Louie’s life was his son, Oliver Chavez. The love between a father and
son doesn’t end when a life does, and Louie’s love for Oliver will forever be part of the legacy he leaves behind.
Louie is survived by his beloved son, Oliver Chavez; his big sister, Amy Duran and her husband, Jarrod; his sisters, Mikell Smith
and her husband, Jeremy, and Sherrie Smith; his brother, Erik Cebada; his paternal half-sisters, Miranda and Vinni; and his
grandmother, Linda Smith.
He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, Gabby, Hannah, Ashtynn, Teyah, Nathan, Zachery, Jesse, and Jolene; his
great-nieces and great-nephews, Gracyn, Willow, Sage, and Nash; as well as many extended family members, lifelong friends, coworkers, and members of his Lucha’s family who loved him dearly.
Louie was preceded in death by his mother, Carmen Smith; his father, Mike Smith; his biological father, Fidel Chavez; and his
grandparents, Eleanore and Louis Padilla.
Louie’s life ended far too soon. There should have been more jokes, more stories, more celebrations, more time with Oliver, and simply more Louie.
Though we would give anything for more time, we are grateful for the years we had, the memories we made, and especially the
laughter we shared.
Rest easy, Louie. You were one of a kind, and you will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
A Visitation will be held from 1:00PM-5:00PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Chapel of Memories, 829 S Hancock Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Luchas Cantina and Speakeasy, 531 Edison Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101.
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