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NEED TO KNOW
- Colorado State Senator Faith Winter has died at the age of 45 in a multi-car crash on the evening of Nov. 26
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis confirmed the news in a statement, writing that the state was “shaken” by news of the tragedy, and calling Winter a “fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans”
- Per The Colorado Sun, Winter was mom to a son and a daughter and was engaged to marry former state Rep. Matt Gray, a fellow Democrat
Colorado State Senator Faith Winter died on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 26, in a multi-car crash south of Denver.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis confirmed the news in a statement, writing that the state was “shaken” by news of the tragedy.
“I send my deepest condolences to her children, loved ones, friends, and colleagues across our state,” he added.
Noting that he had known her for over 20 years, Polis described Winter as “a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate.”
Steve Nehf / The Denver Post via Getty
He continued: “I have had the honor of working with her on many issues to improve the lives of every person and family in our great state, and tackling climate change. I am deeply saddened for her family, her friends and colleagues, and her community. Faith’s work and advocacy made Colorado a better state.”
Governor Polis concluded his statement by ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Winter’s passing.
State Rep. Shannon Bird posted on X that she was “heartbroken” by the news of Winter’s death, calling her a “fierce advocate for Westminster and all of Adams County.”
According to The Colorado Sun, the accident happened about 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near Dry Creek Road.
Jesse Paul/Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Deputy John Bartmann of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said one person was killed and three people were injured in the five-vehicle crash. He added that the cause of the wreck is under investigation and would take “some time to figure out.”
The Colorado Sun notes that 45-year-old Winter was mom to a son and a daughter and was engaged to marry former state Rep. Matt Gray, a fellow Democrat.
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Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, both Denver Democrats, expressed their “devastation” at Winter’s death in a written statement, per CBS News.
“Sen. Winter was a colleague whose presence brought warmth and an invaluable perspective to the Capitol,” they said. “We will miss her leadership, her partnership, and her deep commitment to a brighter Colorado.”
Meanwhile, Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran said in a statement on X: “Words cannot express how deeply heartbroken we are tonight as Colorado mourns the loss of an exceptional legislator, a champion for working people, and a steadfast defender of our environment and abortion rights.”
The Colorado Sun notes that Winter — who was entering her 12th and final year as a state lawmaker because of term limits — often had her dog Queso with her at the Capitol. The outlet also reports that her daughter sold Girl Scout cookies outside the House and Senate chambers.
PEOPLE has contacted the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, South Metro Fire Rescue, and the Colorado General Assembly for an update, but didn’t immediately receive a response.