YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Colorado State Senator Faith Winter died at the age of 45 in a multi-car crash on the evening of November 26th.
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Colorado Governor Jared Polis confirmed the news in a statement, writing that the state was “shocked” by the news of the tragedy, and called Winter a “fierce advocate for hard-working Coloradans.”
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Per The Colorado Sun, Winter was the mother of a son and daughter and was engaged to marry former state Rep. Matt Gray, a fellow Democrat.
Colorado State Senator Faith Winter died Wednesday evening, November 26, in a multi-car crash south of Denver.
The Governor of Colorado Jared Polis confirmed the news in a statement, and wrote that the state was “shaken” by the 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 more than 20 years, Polis described Winter as “a fierce advocate for hard-working Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate.”
Steve Nehf / The Denver Post via Getty
Faith Winter
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 to address climate change. I am deeply saddened for her family, her friends and colleagues, and her community. Faith’s work and advocacy have made Colorado a better state.”
Governor Polis concluded his statement by ordering the flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the death of Winter.
State Representative Shannon Bird posted on X that she was “heartbroken” by the news of Witwa’s death, calling her “a fierce advocate for Westminster and all of Adams County.”
According to The Colorado Sun, the accident happened around 6 pm local time on Wednesday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near Dry Creek Road.
Jesse Paul/Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Faith Winter
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 will take “some time to figure out.”
The Colorado Sun notes that Winter, 45, was the mother of 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 Democrats of Denver, expressed their “devastation” at Winter’s death in a written statement, according to CBS News.
“Sen. Winter was a colleague whose presence brought warmth and 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 our hearts are tonight as Colorado mourns the loss of an exceptional legislator, a champion for working people, and a staunch defender of our environment and abortion rights.”
The Colorado Sun notes that Winter – who was entering her 12th and final year as a state legislator due to 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 contacted the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, South Metro Fire Rescue, and the Colorado General Assembly for an update, but did not immediately receive a response.
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