The unexpected death of Faith Winter, a sitting Colorado state senator, reverberated across the state on the evening of November 26, 2025. Winter was killed in a multi‑vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 25 (I‑25) near the Dry Creek Road exit south of Denver — in the city of Centennial. Authorities responded to the wreck around 6:00 p.m., closing a section of I‑25 for several hours due to the severity of the accident. The collision involved five vehicles, including a truck that overturned. Tragically, Winter was the only fatality, though three other people sustained injuries. Investigators from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office described the cause of the crash as complex, noting that it may take considerable time before they can determine what triggered the chain‑reaction.

News of Winter’s passing triggered a wave of public grief and official statements from Colorado’s political leadership. Jared Polis, the governor of Colorado, said the state was “shaken” by the loss, honoring Winter as a “fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, families, and our climate.” He ordered flags flown at half-staff for the day of her memorial service. Meanwhile, legislative leaders from her own party — including James Coleman (Senate President) and Robert Rodriguez (Senate Majority Leader) — expressed deep sorrow. They called Winter more than a colleague: a friend whose dedication to public service never wavered. The outpouring of tributes underscored the deep respect she had earned across the political spectrum.

Faith Winter’s journey in public service began years ago, and her rise through the ranks of Colorado politics reflected both her determination and her effectiveness. Before joining the state Senate, she served in the Colorado House of Representatives beginning in 2014, building a record of bipartisan work. In 2018 she successfully ran for the state Senate, defeating a Republican incumbent in what was considered a competitive race. Following redistricting in 2023, she began representing Senate District 25, and that same year, her peers elected her as Assistant Majority Leader — making her the third-highest-ranking member in the chamber. She was approaching the final full year of her legislative career, as she was term-limited to end service after 2026.

Throughout her time in office, Winter championed issues that deeply affected everyday Coloradans: transportation, environmental protection, public transit, and community wellbeing. As chair of the Colorado Senate Transportation & Energy Committee, she played a key role in shaping her state’s infrastructure and energy policies — pushing to modernize funding for roads and public transit, and supporting laws aimed at reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions and improving air quality. In the House, she backed legislation that expanded apprenticeship opportunities in high schools and eased burdens related to educational testing — a sign of her broader focus on workforce development and equitable opportunity. Colleagues described her not only as a “skilled and tough policymaker,” but also as someone who brought warmth, empathy, and dedication to every challenge.

While her public record was formidable, Winter’s death has deeply impacted many on a personal level. She is survived by her two children — a son and a daughter — and by her fiancé, former state Representative Matt Gray, a fellow Democrat.Friends and colleagues remember her as a dedicated mother, partner, and friend as much as a committed legislator. Outside the Capitol, she was known to bring her dog to work, and was part of everyday community life — small touches that made her deeply human and relatable to many. Her unexpected passing leaves a void — not only in Colorado’s political institutions, but in the hearts of those who knew her personally.

With Winter’s Senate seat now vacant, a party vacancy committee will be tasked with selecting someone to fill out the remainder of her term.Her death comes at a turbulent time for Colorado politics, yet many have already begun to reflect on the long-term impact of her work. The policies she helped advance — in transportation, environmental reform, and social equity — will continue to shape Colorado’s future. More broadly, her career stands as a testament to persistent, community‑centered public service. As the state mourns, lawmakers, constituents, and everyday Coloradans are reminded of what committed leadership — grounded in empathy, experience, and conviction — can achieve.