Colorado State Senator Faith Winter, a Broomfield Democrat, died Wednesday evening in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 south of Denver. The 45-year-old lawmaker, who was entering her 12th and final year in the legislature due to term limits, was the only fatality in the five-vehicle collision that occurred around 6 p.m. near Dry Creek Road in Arapahoe County.
Three other individuals sustained injuries in the crash, according to Deputy John Bartmann of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. The northbound lanes of the interstate remained closed for several hours as investigators worked the scene, reopening before midnight. Bartmann indicated that determining the cause of the collision would require considerable time.
Winter, who represented Senate District 25, was a mother of two children and was engaged to former state Representative Matt Gray, also a Democrat. News of her death sent shockwaves through Colorado’s political community, prompting an immediate outpouring of grief from state officials and colleagues.
Governor Jared Polis, who said he had known Winter for nearly two decades, ordered flags across the state lowered to half-staff in her honor. “Our state is shaken by the loss of Senator Faith Winter,” Polis stated, calling her “a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate.”
Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, both Denver Democrats, released a joint statement expressing their devastation at the loss. They described Winter as a colleague whose presence brought warmth and invaluable perspective to the Capitol, adding that they would miss her leadership, partnership, and deep commitment to a brighter Colorado.
Winter’s legislative career spanned more than a decade of public service. She first entered the Colorado legislature in 2014 and had been serving in the Senate since being elected to that chamber. Her work focused heavily on transportation infrastructure, environmental protection, and supporting working families throughout the state.
As chair of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, Winter championed significant transportation policy initiatives. She also held the position of Assistant Senate Majority Leader, making her the third-ranking member in the chamber. Her legislative accomplishments reflected her commitment to addressing climate change and improving transit access for Colorado residents.
House Speaker Julie McCluskie and House Majority Leader Monica Duran described Winter as an exceptional legislator, a champion for working people, and a steadfast defender of environmental causes and abortion rights. Their statement emphasized Winter’s role as a trailblazer who consistently fought for Colorado’s most vulnerable populations.
Winter’s family released a statement through the Colorado Senate Democratic Caucus confirming her passing. The family acknowledged her roles as a tremendous state leader, committed friend, dedicated partner, and loving mother, noting that she led with empathy and love above all else. They requested privacy during this difficult time while expressing appreciation for the outpouring of support.
The Wednesday evening crash occurred in a high-traffic area of Interstate 25, a major north-south corridor that runs through the Denver metropolitan region. The location near Dry Creek Road places the incident approximately 16 miles southeast of the state capitol building where Winter worked.
Winter’s legislative tenure would have concluded after the 2026 session due to Colorado’s term limit laws, which restrict how long lawmakers can serve in the state legislature. These limits are designed to encourage regular turnover and fresh perspectives in state government, though they also mean losing experienced legislators like Winter who had developed deep expertise in their policy areas.
According to established procedures, a Democratic vacancy committee in Senate District 25 will now convene to select Winter’s replacement for the remainder of her term. This committee process allows the party to maintain representation for the district’s constituents while a permanent successor is determined through future elections.
The district Winter represented includes portions of Broomfield, Westminster, and Northglenn, communities in the northern Denver metropolitan area. Throughout her time in office, she maintained strong connections to these communities while working on statewide policy initiatives at the Capitol.
Governor Polis’ statement reflected on his two-decade relationship with Winter, noting her evolution from an environmental organizer to a leader in expanding women’s representation in politics, and finally to her role as a state senator. He emphasized that her work and advocacy made Colorado a better state, acknowledging the lasting impact of her legislative contributions.
The investigation into the crash continues, with authorities working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the collision. Multi-vehicle crashes often involve complex factors, and investigators typically examine road conditions, vehicle speeds, driver actions, and other elements to determine causation.
Winter’s death leaves a significant void in Colorado’s legislature, particularly in areas of transportation and environmental policy where she had established herself as a leading voice. Her colleagues’ statements uniformly praised her dedication, compassion, and effectiveness as a lawmaker who brought both warmth and skill to her work.
