Former Colorado state legislator runs for Congress

A former state legislator from Pueblo has announced he will run for the 3rd Congressional District seat now held by Republican Scott Tipton of Cortez.

The Daily Sentinel reported Tuesday that Abel Tapia, who served in the state House and Senate and recently retired as director of the Colorado Lottery, announced his candidacy Monday. Tapia told the Sentinel he was urged to run after Pueblo County Commissioner Liane “Buffie” McFadyen dropped out, leaving the Democrats without a strong candidate.

Tapia says he will work to address concerns he has heard that Congress is out of touch with voters. He says he is troubled by polling results that show public confidence in Congress is low, and plans to tour the district to learn what issues voters want addressed.