Faith Winter, a prominent Democratic state senator from Broomfield, Colorado, died Wednesday evening following a major traffic collision on Interstate 25. She was 45 years old.
Winter, known for her influential work on transportation policy and her fierce advocacy for family leave, was entering her final year in the state legislature. Her death has drawn immediate tributes from across the political spectrum, with colleagues remembering her as a dedicated public servant and a devoted mother of two.
Fatal Collision Near Dry Creek Road
The crash occurred around 6:00 p.m. on the northbound lanes of Interstate 25, just south of Denver near Dry Creek Road.
According to Deputy John Bartmann of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the incident involved five vehicles. Winter was the sole fatality in the collision. Three other individuals sustained injuries, though the extent of their conditions has not yet been released.
Investigators remained on the scene for hours to reconstruct the events leading up to the tragedy. Deputy Bartmann noted that determining the specific cause of the crash “is going to take some time to figure out.”
While authorities initially withheld the victim’s name pending notification of kin, The Colorado Sun confirmed Winter’s identity. Her passing was subsequently acknowledged by her family and state Democratic leadership.
Winter is survived by her son and daughter, as well as her fiancé, former state Rep. Matt Gray.
A Legacy of Policy and Advocacy
Winter was a central figure at the Colorado Capitol, where she chaired the powerful Senate Transportation and Energy Committee. She was preparing to begin her twelfth year in the General Assembly, marking the end of her tenure due to term limits.
Her legislative track record was defined by major systemic changes. She was a key architect behind a landmark measure that generated billions for transportation infrastructure through new fees on deliveries, rideshare services, and fuel.
Additionally, Winter was instrumental in the creation of Colorado’s statewide paid family and parental leave program, championing the ballot measure that made the benefit a reality for workers across the state. Her legislative success led to her appointment as assistant Senate majority leader in 2023, the third-highest ranking position in the chamber.
Before her election to the state legislature in 2014, Winter served on the Westminster City Council from 2007 to 2015. throughout her career, she also worked as a trainer, helping Democratic women across the country prepare to run for public office.
Championing Workplace Safety
Winter’s impact extended beyond policy into the culture of the Capitol itself. In 2018, while serving in the House of Representatives, she publicly alleged that she had been sexually harassed by fellow Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock.
Her decision to come forward was a watershed moment for the legislature. It contributed to the historic vote to expel Lebsock and spurred a comprehensive overhaul of the General Assembly’s workplace harassment policies, including the hiring of dedicated staff to manage complaints.
Resilience Through Personal Struggles
In recent years, Winter was open about facing significant health and personal challenges. In 2022, she survived a severe bout with an autoimmune disease that she stated nearly took her life. The following year, she suffered a head injury during a bicycle accident.
In 2024, Winter briefly stepped away from her legislative duties to seek treatment for alcoholism following an incident where she appeared intoxicated at a community meeting in Northglenn. A subsequent Senate ethics review determined that the incident fell short of the chamber’s standards for public integrity. despite these hurdles, she remained a visible and active presence in her district.
Tributes Pour in for a “Fierce Advocate”
Following the news of the crash, state leaders expressed shock and sorrow. Governor Jared Polis, who noted he had known Winter for two decades, said the state was “shaken” by the loss.
“Faith was a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, families, and our climate,” Polis said in a statement. He credited her tireless work with helping make Colorado “a better state.”
Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez issued a joint statement expressing their devastation. They described Winter as a colleague who brought “warmth and an invaluable perspective” to the Senate floor.
Colleagues and staff fondly recalled Winter’s approachable nature. She was frequently accompanied at the Capitol by her dog, Queso, and was known to support her daughter’s Girl Scout cookie sales outside the legislative chambers. Many remembered her as a compassionate friend, quick to offer a hug to anyone having a difficult day.
What Comes Next
With the legislative session approaching, the process to fill Winter’s seat in Senate District 25 will soon begin. A Democratic vacancy committee will be tasked with appointing a replacement to serve the remainder of her term.
However, party leadership emphasized that the immediate focus should remain on mourning. Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib stated that details regarding the vacancy process would be released only after Winter’s loved ones have had time to grieve.
“Right now, the most important thing we can do is take a breath, grieve, and process,” Murib said.
