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Richard Holtorf
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives


Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded by Redistricted
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
In office
December 28, 2019 – January 9, 2023
Preceded by Kimmi Lewis
Succeeded by Redistricted
Personal details
Political party Republican
Residence Akron, Colorado
Alma mater United States Army War College[1]
Profession Army officer, rancher
Website Official website

Richard Holtorf is an American politician and rancher serving as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 63rd district, which includes all or part of Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties, including the communities of Sterling, Fort Morgan, Brush, Yuma, and Wray.[1][2] Prior to 2023 and reapportionment, Holtorf represented the 64th house district. He assumed office on December 28, 2019.[3][4]

Background[]

A lifelong resident of Washington County, Holtorf graduated from Akron High School and attended Colorado State University. He was in Army ROTC and was commissioned as an Army aviation officer in 1987. He served in aviation-related jobs in the Army on active duty and in the Army reserve for 29 years. His service included two tours in Afghanistan. He earned a degree from the U.S. Army War College. In 2016, he retired at the rank of colonel. In 2022, he described himself as "a third-generation cattle rancher, feedlot manager, dryland farmer, and state representative".[1]

Appointment and elections[]

Holtorf was appointed to the Colorado House of Representatives after 64th district incumbent Kimmi Lewis died of cancer in late 2019. The Republican vacancy committee chose Holtorf from a field of five candidates, with Holtorf receiving 76 votes out of 115 delegates.[5][6] Holtorf ran for the seat in 2020 and was elected to a full term.[7]

In the 2020 reapportionment process, Holtorf's residence in Washington County moved from house district 64 to house district 63. District 63 is geographically smaller than the former district 64 and includes Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties, including the communities of Sterling, Fort Morgan, Brush, Yuma, and Wray.[1][8]

In the 2022 Colorado House of Representatives election, Holtorf ran unopposed, winning 100.00% of the total votes cast.[9]

When the Colorado General Assembly convened on January 9, 2023, Holtorf finished his term in the former district 64 and begin his term in the new district 63.

Foster Kids Controversy[]

In response to Senate Bill 23-82, a bill which would create a housing voucher and case management program for foster youth, Holtorf in his vote against the measure stated: "Colorado needs to grow up. It's time to grow up and be an adult. And that includes the foster kids... Young people need to know, in this life and this country, you need to get after it. You need to go along and figure it out."[10]

This is despite ample evidence presented for the bill that one in three foster kids become homeless within three years.[10]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Richard Holtorf seeking seat for House District 63". Akron News-Reporter. February 28, 2022. https://www.akronnewsreporter.com/2022/02/28/richard-holtorf-seeking-seat-for-house-district-63/. 
  2. Colorado Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission (March 18, 2022). "Colorado House District 63 (2021)". State of Colorado. https://redistricting.colorado.gov/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBdlVEIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--e33c866e9c1e402ef7d7174ce5ad8d16e49c2257/2021_House_District_63.pdf. 
  3. "Representative Richard Holtorf". Colorado General Assembly. https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/richard-holtorf. 
  4. "Richrd Holtorf". Ballotpedia. https://ballotpedia.org/Richard_Holtorf. 
  5. "Richard Holtorf appointed to State House District 64 seat covering southeast Colorado". December 30, 2019. https://kiowacountypress.net/content/richard-holtorf-appointed-state-house-district-64-seat-covering-southeast-colorado. 
  6. Thomas Phippen (January 15, 2020). "Holtorf sworn in as HD 64 rep". https://www.agjournalonline.com/news/20200115/holtorf-sworn-in-as-hd-64-rep. 
  7. "2020 abstract of votes cast". State of Colorado. n.d.. https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2020/2020BiennialAbstractBooklet.pdf. 
  8. Colorado Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission (March 18, 2022). "Colorado House District 63 (2021)". State of Colorado. https://redistricting.colorado.gov/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBdlVEIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--e33c866e9c1e402ef7d7174ce5ad8d16e49c2257/2021_House_District_63.pdf. 
  9. "Colorado election results: November 8, 2022, general election state representative district 63". State of Colorado. n.d.. https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/115903/web.307039/#/detail/2630. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". Colorado Politics. https://www.coloradopolitics.com/legislature/foster-youth-housing/article_36d02b38-e3b3-11ed-8dec-c3a47b095042.html. 

External links[]

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