Faith Winter, Colorado State Senator and Mom of 2, Dies in Multi-Car Crash at Age 45

Colorado State Senator Faith Winter died on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 26, following a multi-vehicle crash just south of Denver.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis confirmed her death in a statement, saying the state was “shaken” by the loss.

“I send my deepest condolences to her children, loved ones, friends, and colleagues across our state,” he said.

Polis, who noted he had known Winter for more than 20 years, remembered her as “a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate.”

“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,” he continued. “I am deeply saddened for her family, her friends and colleagues, and her community. Faith’s work and advocacy made Colorado a better state.”

He concluded by ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in her honor.

State Rep. Shannon Bird wrote on X that she was “heartbroken” to learn of Winter’s death, calling her a “fierce advocate for Westminster and all of Adams County.”

According to The Colorado Sun, the crash occurred around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near Dry Creek Road.

Deputy John Bartmann of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said one person was killed and three others were injured in the five-car collision. He added that the cause of the crash remains under investigation and could take “some time to figure out.”

The Colorado Sun also reported that Winter, 45, was a mother of two — a son and a daughter — and was engaged to former state Rep. Matt Gray, a fellow Democrat.

Senate President James Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, both Democrats from Denver, said in a statement that they were “devastated” by the news of her death, according to 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.”

Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran echoed that grief in a statement on X, writing, “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 further noted that Winter — who was entering her 12th and final year as a state lawmaker due to term limits — was known for bringing her dog, Queso, to the Capitol, and that her daughter often sold Girl Scout cookies outside the House and Senate chambers.