Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp Resigns
Senator Mike Kopp has resigned his seat on the Colorado State Senate. The following is a copy of Senator Kopp's letter of resignation:
******
October 11, 2011
Ms. Cindi Markwell
Secretary of the Senate
200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203
Madam Secretary:
It has been a privilege to win two elected terms of office to serve the citizens of Senate District 22 and the state of Colorado. This unique honor has been further enhanced by the opportunity to serve as my party’s Caucus Chair and Senate Minority Leader. It is without exaggeration that I can say the past five years have been among my most fulfilling. I have thoroughly enjoyed working to craft solutions for Colorado with my senate colleagues – so many of whom will be friends for life.
However, on the eve of an extended period of personal reflection concerning the road that lies ahead of my family and me, it has become apparent that I will be unable to devote the kind of quality attention necessary to serve the remaining three years of my senate term. In short, my constituents and my caucus deserve better than I will have to offer them. But more importantly for me, my beautiful children deserve the best I can give them.
It is therefore with a deep sense of loss and a heavy heart that I hereby resign my Senate seat, effective October 21, 2011. I trust that this notice will be sufficient to give the Senate District 22 Vacancy Committee the necessary time to utilize its process to find my replacement. Moreover, it will give the Republican caucus and the Senate adequate time before the upcoming legislative session to make a smooth leadership transition.
My prayers go with Colorado’s senators as they prepare for January 11th, 2012. The challenges facing our legislature and the State of Colorado are significant and will remain of great interest and concern to me. I intend to remain active and be involved in matters of public policy, albeit as a private citizen and member of the business community.
In closing, I would like to add that nothing in my senate service would have been possible without the loving support of my late wife, Kimberly. My colleagues that knew her can attest to her miraculous strength. Ironically, I was lifted by her perhaps more than she was by me, even as she faced unfathomably difficult days. I would also extend sincere thanks to my family, the wonderful senate Republican staff and my terrific employer, Intermountain Rural Electric Association. Without them I would have been unable to fulfill my duties over these past years.
God bless our great state.
Sincerely,
Sen. Mike Kopp
Minority Leader
******
Senator Kopp's replacement will be chosen by a Republican vacancy committee and in accordance with the District Bylaws.