Colorado Sen. Faith Winter, killed in I-25 crash, remembered for relentless advocacy, ‘tremendous heart’

State Sen Faith Winter was a fierce and relentless advocate for Colorado s families setting and transportation who forever altered the state s political landscape by fighting to make it a better place to live her friends and colleagues explained Thursday Winter was killed Wednesday night in a five-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate near Centennial She was years old Winter s death was authenticated late Wednesday by Gov Jared Polis and legislative leaders and Polis ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in her honor on the day of her memorial system which has not been reported Our state is shaken by the loss of Senator Faith Winter and I send my deepest condolences to her children loved ones friends and colleagues across our state Polis announced in a comment I have had the honor of working with her on several issues to improve the lives of every person and family in our great state and tackling context change I am deeply saddened for her family her friends and colleagues and her public Faith s work and advocacy made Colorado a better state The Arapahoe County coroner s office on Thursday established Winter was killed in the crash which also injured three others and closed northbound I- for more than five hours Wednesday night The cause of the crash is under inspection and additional information likely will not be circulated until next week Arapahoe County sheriff s Deputy John Bartmann reported Thursday No one has been cited or arrested in connection with the crash Winter s -year career in the statehouse exemplified her deep passion for making the lives of everyday Coloradans better as well as her remarkable resilience in the face of adversity friends and colleagues explained The Denver Post A Democrat from Broomfield Winter served in the House from to moving over to the Senate after she won a seat in She also served on the Westminster City Council earlier in her career Winter was a driving force behind bringing paid family leave to Colorado passing a massive transportation bill to improve the state s roadways and expand transit options and strengthening protections against workplace harassment among plenty of other initiatives Faith was a deeply complex person and she moved through multiple challenges with grace and remained dedicated to the work she was doing state Sen Lisa Cutter revealed in an interview Thursday She concluded in the work she was doing concluded in the power of friendship and connection and will unfailingly live on that way and certainly live on in my heart Winter led the way in addressing sexual harassment in Colorado workplaces as well as her own workplace the halls and chambers of the Capitol Related Articles Colorado Sen Faith Winter killed in -vehicle crash on I- near Centennial RTD directors face barrage of opposition set fare for Access-on-Demand Her statements against former state Rep Steve Lebsock were followed by similar sexual harassment complaints from other women leading to his expulsion from the House in Winter went on to co-sponsor a bill the Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights Act that bolstered protections against harassment and discrimination at work Former Speaker of the House Alec Garnett was with Winter the night she declared Lebsock harassed her at a legislative party I was constantly proud to stand by her side in moments when she was trying to change the custom of the Capitol Garnett revealed She was a leader in that space Garnett met Winter as the two ran and won seats in the House of Representatives and described her as a leader among their class of state lawmakers She understood the Capitol better than the greater part Garnett commented When we started the legislature was very different We were in split chambers with a small majority and she knew how to work across the aisle to get chosen of her stuff through Winter also knew when to take a stand Garnett commented including running a paid family leave bill she knew would not pass the Republican-controlled state Senate to get legislators the media and constituents talking about the issue Colorado voters went on to approve a ballot measure implementing paid family leave in November Garnett was so inspired by Winter s passion for paid family leave that he accidentally released that his wife Emily was pregnant while speaking on the issue from the floor of the House Somebody tweeted it and my wife texted me and required Did you just announce I was pregnant on the floor of the House ' Garnett revealed snickering I reported her I was so moved by Faith I had to do it Winter also cared deeply for those around her from her family including children Sienna and Tobin to her friends and colleagues at the statehouse The Capitol could be a lonely place and Winter was intentional about connecting with people whether through soup-making parties or field trips to pick sunflowers Cutter disclosed Flowers brought Winter deep bliss and she was known for keeping a tiny vase of flowers on her desk that she would arrange on Monday mornings and leaving single buds or tiny flower arrangements on the desks of her colleagues She had a tremendous heart Cutter commented I don t know where she located the potency to do all that I really don t Winter also faced several personal challenges including an ethics complaint for appearing intoxicated at a Northglenn group meeting in which caused her to seek medicine for a substance use disorder Winter s death caused an outpouring of grief from Colorado s local state and federal elected officers on Wednesday night and Thursday In a announcement Wednesday night Senate President James Coleman and Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez revealed they were devastated by her passing Whether fighting for decree to endorsement mothers and families championing groundbreaking transit guidelines or solely supporting constituents in moments of need she brought thoughtfulness innovation and humility to every aspect of her work they mentioned in a joint declaration Sen Cleave Simpson the Republican caucus leader in the chamber reported in a announcement posted to X that Winter s legacy was one of courage kindness and unity Senator Winter was not only a dedicated populace servant but also a bridge builder Simpson revealed She worked tirelessly with colleagues across the aisle forging strong partnerships with her Republican counterparts Her ability to listen collaborate and find common ground reflected her deep commitment to the people she served and to the integrity of the legislative process House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran both Democrats noted in a declaration that Winter invariably fought for Colorado s greater part vulnerable Her bravery brought necessary reforms to the Capitol and her kindness filled the building We will all miss her dearly They extended condolences to Winter s family including her children as well as to former state Rep Matt Gray a fellow Democrat to whom she was engaged Get more Colorado news by signing 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