Larimer County will welcome three new representatives to the Colorado legislature, while three incumbents hold onto their positions, and one lawmaker transitions from the House to the Senate. The Colorado General Assembly will meet from January to May each year, and these newly elected officials are poised to tackle significant issues affecting their constituents.
Cathy Kipp, a Democrat, has moved from her role in the Colorado House to represent Fort Collins’ District 14 in the Senate after defeating Republican Phoebe McWilliams. Kipp’s focus areas include alleviating the housing shortage, improving access to and affordability of health care—particularly mental health care—and implementing environmental policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Republican incumbent, will retain her seat in Senate District 23, which spans the Interstate 25 corridor from Fort Collins to the northern Denver suburbs. Kirkmeyer faced no opposition in her race, although she did not disclose her priorities before the election.
In House District 52, Yara Zokaie, a Democrat, won against Steve Yurash of the Colorado Center Party, representing southern Fort Collins. Zokaie is dedicated to ensuring stable funding for public education, reforming the tax code to close corporate loopholes, and tackling the high costs of health care.
Democrat Andrew Boesenecker was reelected in House District 53, triumphing over Republican Donna Walter. Boesenecker’s priorities include increasing affordable housing availability, safeguarding the right to abortion, and enhancing Colorado’s environmental quality.
The closest race was in House District 51, where Republican incumbent Ron Weinberg narrowly defeated Democrat Sarah McKeen. Weinberg highlighted his commitment to combatting homelessness through affordable housing and mental health services, along with advocating for reduced taxation and property taxes.
In the northern regions of Larimer and Boulder counties, Democrat Lesley Smith won House District 49, focusing her efforts on addressing the climate crisis, securing funding for education, and making housing and health care more affordable.
Lastly, Republican Lori Garcia Sander emerged victorious in House District 65, which includes parts of Wellington, Timnath, and Windsor. Sander has outlined her priorities, which include tackling inflation and crime, as well as ensuring a well-funded and safe education system that offers parental choices.
This election results in a diverse representation for Larimer County, with officials eager to address pressing challenges and improve the quality of life for their constituents. The focus on crucial sectors such as housing, health care, and education signifies a hopeful outlook for the community as these lawmakers embark on their new roles.
Ultimately, residents can anticipate proactive efforts from their newly elected representatives as they strive to implement policies that benefit the wider Larimer County area.