Rep. Pace Steps Down As House Minority Leader

Representative Sal Pace announced today that he will step down as the Democratic leader of the Colorado State House.

In a written release, Pace says he wants to “provide continuity” to House Democrats and give new members a chance to lead.

The Pueblo representative is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton in the sprawling 3rd Congressional District that covers southern Colorado and the Western Slope. The district is among Colorado’s most competitive.

In his announcement, Pace reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Pueblo and House District 46 for the remainder of his current term.

He says, “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Pueblo during the final year of my legislative term, and to partnering with all of my legislative colleagues and Governor Hickenlooper to advance the interests of this great state.”

Rep. Pace was elected to the Colorado House in 2008. Prior to running for office, Pace worked on behalf of the people of Pueblo and southern Colorado for close to a decade. He directed Congressman John Salazar’s district office, serving southern Colorado and the Western Slope. As district director, Pace managed issues including policy addressing the state’s water, land, energy, transportation and job creation needs.

Pace’s legislative accomplishments include authoring the Pinon Canyon Protection Act, which provided new protections to southeastern Colorado ranchers and farmers; and passing a law to help reduce a permitting backlog to bring more jobs to Pueblo’s steel mill.

The House Democrats will hold a caucus meeting to choose a new leader on Friday, Nov. 18