Colorado state Senator Faith Winter, a Democrat and mother of two, has died following a five-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 25 just south of Denver. The collision occurred around 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening, according to The Colorado Sun, which cited local authorities.
Deputy John Bartmann of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said in an emailed statement to Newsweek that three other people were injured in the crash and that there was one fatality, though he did not identify Winter by name. He noted that the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit is continuing to investigate the incident and that determining the cause “is going to take some time.”
Winter’s death has deeply shaken Colorado’s political community. Governor Jared Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in her honor from sunrise until sunset on the day of her memorial service, which has not yet been announced.
Winter was entering her 12th and final year as a state lawmaker due to term limits. Over her career, she became known for her work on climate policy, transportation reform, and expanding public transit. She chaired the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee and also served on the Business, Labor and Technology Committee as well as the Legislative Council.
At the time of her death, Winter was engaged to former state Representative Matt Gray, according to The Colorado Sun.
“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,” Governor Polis said in a post on X. He described her as “a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate,” adding that he had worked with her on efforts to improve lives across the state and address climate change. “Faith’s work and advocacy made Colorado a better state,” he said.
Deputy Bartmann’s statement on the crash said: “On November 26, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a five-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 25 at E. Dry Creek Road. The collision resulted in three people being injured and one fatality.”
In a joint statement reported by Colorado Newsline, Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez called Winter a “dedicated public servant whose commitment to the people of Colorado never wavered,” adding that her presence brought “warmth and an invaluable perspective to the Capitol” and that her leadership and partnership would be greatly missed.
Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran wrote on X that they were “deeply heartbroken” as the state mourned “the loss of an exceptional legislator, a champion for working people, and a steadfast defender of our environment and abortion rights.”
Democratic state Representative Shannon Bird said she was “heartbroken” by Winter’s “tragic passing,” while Colorado House Republicans posted that their “hearts are heavy,” offering condolences to Winter’s family, loved ones, colleagues, and community and saying they were keeping all those injured in the crash in their prayers.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. A Democratic vacancy committee in Senate District 25 will determine who will serve out the remainder of Winter’s term, The Colorado Sun reported.
