Garnett: Serving in the House Has Been the Honor of a Lifetime

DENVER, CO – Speaker Alec Garnett today formally submitted his letter of resignation from the House, effective January 1, 2023.  He will begin serving as Governor Jared Polis’ chief of staff on Monday. Majority Leader Daneya Esgar will assume the role of Speaker and serve in that position until January 9, 2023. 

“Serving in the House and as Speaker has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “The most important lesson I learned is that government works and Colorado is well served by the amazing women and men in the legislature. I will always hold close to my heart the memories and relationships I’ve built while serving, and I wish all current and future legislators the best of luck as they tackle the challenges of the day. 

“I want to thank the nonpartisan staff who work equally hard to carry out the essential functions of government. Colorado owes you a debt of gratitude. To my family, thank you for letting me carry out my duties and for always supporting me and standing by my side. I hope I made you proud.” 

Speaker Garnett has served in the House since 2015, representing House District 2 in Denver. He has sponsored historic legislation to fix Colorado’s transportation infrastructure, create universal preschool and the Department of Early Childhood, curb youth access to high-potency marijuana, and reform Colorado’s construction defects law. In 2019, he led efforts in the legislature to pass Colorado’s Red Flag Law which has saved lives and reduced gun violence. In 2022, he sponsored comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to combat Colorado’s deadly fentanyl crisis and reduce fentanyl overdose deaths. 

Garnett served in leadership roles for six of the eight years he was in the chamber. He was elected Assisted Majority Leader, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House, always running unopposed. He led the chamber with a focus on lifting up and protecting the institution. He was the first Speaker in recent memory to appoint a member of the opposing party to be Vice Chair of a Committee of Reference.