Rep. Mitsch Bush submits official letter of resignation

Colorado State Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush, a Democrat from Steamboat Springs who represents Eagle and Routt counties, officially submitted her letter of resignation on Monday, clearing the way for a selection committee to pick her replacement as she runs for the U.S. Congress in the state’s 3rd Congressional District.

Here’s a release from Mitsch Bush, who will leave the State House on Nov. 2, followed by a release from the Democratic Party’s House District 26 Vacancy Committee:

Colorado State Representative Diane Mitsch Bush to resign House District 26 Seat November 2nd

Diane Mitsch Bush

Denver, CO, Oct. 2 – Today Colorado State House Representative Diane Mitsch Bush (D-Steamboat Springs) delivered her resignation letter to Chief Clerk of the House Marilyn Eddins, effective at the end of the working day, November 2, 2017.

Mitsch Bush has represented Eagle County and Routt County in the Colorado House of Representative since 2013. First elected in 2012, then reelected twice (2014 and 2016) with comfortable margins, she currently serves as Chair of the House Transportation and Energy Committee, Vice Chair of the
Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee, Chair of the Interim Joint Transportation
Legislation Review Committee, and she also sits on the Joint Interim Water Resources Review Committee.

Mitsch Bush is running for the US Congress to represent Colorado’s Third Congressional District.

“I am proud to have represented all the people of my two rural, mountain headwaters counties,” Mitsch Bush said. She followed with, “as a rural, Western Slope Representative, I have stood up for agriculture, rural hospitals, rural schools, higher education, transportation, better rural broadband, energy efficiency,
environmental protection, and keeping our public lands public.

“I am very excited to bring my legislative skills and bipartisan record to really representing our big, beautiful Third Congressional District in the US Congress. People in our district are struggling with low wages, a lack of good jobs, high health care costs, and a lack of opportunity. I want to work together in Washington to level the playing field so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Before serving in the State House, Mitsch Bush was elected twice as Routt County Commissioner in rural
Northwest Colorado, served for 6 years on the Board of Club 20—an advocacy organization for the Western Slope, and Chaired the five County (Grand, Jackson, Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco) Northwest Transportation Planning Regional Commission.

Democratic Party’s House District 26 Vacancy Committee press release

The Democratic Party’s House District 26 Vacancy Committee is announcing Representative Diane Mitsch Bush’s formal resignation of her seat representing State House District 26 in the Colorado House of Representatives.

We would like to thank Representative Mitsch Bush for her excellent advocacy for all the citizens of House District 26.  Diane has been an exemplary legislator working on behalf of Eagle and Routt Counties, and, we wish her the very best in her future goals and endeavors.

The Vacancy Committee hereby announces the process it will follow to appoint a Representative to fill the vacancy of Rep. Mitsch Bush’s remaining term, in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute and Colorado Democratic Party rules.  All eligible persons are encouraged to apply.  Eligibility requirements are defined by Colorado Revised Statutes.  Candidates must be:

• At least 25 years of age
• A resident of Colorado for at least 1 year
• A resident of House District 26 for at least 1 year (Eagle or Routt county)
• Registered as a Democrat for at least one year
• A US citizen

The Colorado House District 26 Vacancy Committee is asking persons interested in being considered for appointment to this seat to submit a letter of intent, professional resume and a completed Candidate Information Form to the House District 26 Vacancy Committee, no later than October 20, 2017, at 5pm at the following email address –  h26vacancy@gmail.com.

According to Colorado Revised Statute, nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the October 28, 2017 Vacancy Committee Meeting.  The Vacancy Committee is also asking all candidates nominated from the floor to submit the above referenced candidate information when nominated.

The Candidate Information Form will be emailed upon request, or may be downloaded from the Eagle County Democratic Party or Routt County Democratic Party websites, eagledems.org, routtdems.org.  For further information please contact Pat Hammon, Chair or Catherine Carson, Vice-Chair using the contact information listed above.