Colorado State Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat from Broomfield and mother of two, was killed Wednesday evening in a five-vehicle crash just south of Denver. The collision happened around 6 p.m. on the northbound side of Interstate 25 near Dry Creek Road.
According to Deputy John Bartmann with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, three people were injured and one person died in the crash. He said investigators are still working to determine the cause, which “is going to take some time to figure out.”
Although authorities initially did not identify the victim, The Colorado Sun confirmed that Winter was the person killed, and her family and top Democratic leaders later publicly acknowledged her passing.
Winter was 45. She had a son and daughter and was engaged to former state Rep. Matt Gray.
A Respected Leader at the Colorado Capitol
Winter was widely known as a strong voice on transportation and environmental issues. She chaired the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee and was entering what would have been her twelfth and final year in the legislature due to term limits.
In a joint statement, Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez said they were “devastated” by the news, calling Winter a colleague whose presence brought “warmth and an invaluable perspective” to the Capitol.
Gov. Jared Polis said the state is “shaken” by her death, describing Winter as a “fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, families, and our climate.” Polis noted he had known her for two decades and credited her work with helping to make Colorado “a better state.”
Winter was widely appreciated for her approachable, supportive nature. She was often seen with her dog, Queso, at the Capitol, and her daughter frequently sold Girl Scout cookies outside the legislative chambers. Colleagues remembered her as someone quick to offer a hug to anyone struggling through a difficult day.
Legislative Achievements and Career Milestones
Winter played a central role in several major legislative efforts. Among her most notable accomplishments was helping pass a measure that raised billions of dollars for transportation projects through new fees on fuel purchases, rideshare trips, and deliveries.
She was also a driving force behind a ballot measure that created a statewide paid family and parental leave program. Her leadership abilities helped elevate her to assistant Senate majority leader in 2023, the third-highest position in the chamber.
In 2018, while serving in the House, Winter publicly reported that she had been sexually harassed by fellow Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock. Her decision to come forward played a large part in the House voting to expel Lebsock. That moment prompted the legislature to strengthen its workplace harassment policies and hire a dedicated professional to handle complaints.
Before joining the General Assembly in 2014, Winter served on the Westminster City Council from 2007 to 2015. She also spent time training Democratic women nationwide on how to run for public office.
Health Challenges in Recent Years
Winter faced several significant health issues during her time in office. In 2022, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that nearly claimed her life. A year later, she suffered a head injury in a bike accident. In 2024, she briefly stepped back from her legislative duties to seek treatment for alcoholism after appearing intoxicated at a community hearing in Northglenn. A Senate ethics review later found she failed to meet the chamber’s standards regarding public integrity.
What Happens Next
A Democratic vacancy committee in Senate District 25 will select someone to serve the remainder of Winter’s term. Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib said that the party will share details about the process once those close to Winter have had time to grieve.
“Right now, the most important thing we can do is take a breath, grieve, and process,” Murib said.
