Only 100 Coloradans at any one time have the job I have been honored to hold for the last eight years as a state legislator; I never really thought about that until I started nearing the end. Wow.
I’ve had to run four contested campaigns, one during COVID-19 and one after the death of my husband, and none of them was easy. I have been accused of a multitude of nonsensical actions, such as distributing drugs in my classroom, introducing fentanyl into the state, lying about being a Colorado native, not living in District 59 and never voting for rural issues.
But I have also hit some District 59 milestones: the first since anyone can remember to hold this seat for all four terms, chairing a House Committee, Education, for six years, and holding a leadership position for seven of the eight years. I am now term limited.
The job has introduced me to so many interesting people. Some will be my lifelong friends. Many legislators are young and ambitious, and I loved learning from them about how things are different now, how urban settings work and how managing a family and holding office is hard, but very possible. They introduced me to new music, new food, new phrases and new ideas. Others were from very different parts of the state, so I learned about pesticides, Western Sugar, water storage, large universities and traffic. So much traffic. Traveling the state to see where representatives live was a wonderful eye-opener.
Others were older and experienced, and they taught me how the system works, the best ways to get bipartisan legislation passed, how to find a work/life balance and what ideas will just never fly. They taught me the language of the Legislature, which is often confusing and complex.
Many people say we all need to work across the aisle and, for the most part, we do. Several of my good friends in the House and Senate are Republicans, and though we may disagree on some issues, we agree that kindness, laughter and respect are bipartisan.
I didn’t do this job by myself. Thank you, of course, to everyone who voted for me at least once in my four elections. Thank you to those who may not have officially supported me, but taught me a lot about their party, their issues and their concerns. HD59 has a wide variety of people and political affiliations, and representation means listening, compromising and understanding.
Lots of thanks to the people who donated to my campaigns, understanding that the travel, signs, campaign managers and flyers aren’t cheap. Those who gave $10 earned as much of my respect as those who donated maximum amounts. It all helped. And I always appreciate the people who couldn’t donate, but spent hours on the campaign trail for me.
I had the best four aides and four campaign managers who helped me every day: smart, eager, hardworking. Thank you! Your value is enormous.
And thank you to all the partisan and nonpartisan staff members at the Capitol. You helped me in so, so many ways, offering counsel, cheer, structure, suggestions, condolences and some hearty laughs. I don’t know if people outside the Capitol understand just how much you do for the state.
To Katie Stewart, the next District 59 representative, good luck. Remember who you represent, laugh so you don’t cry, work on both sides of the aisle, take advantage of every opportunity, join every committee you can and have fun. This is a golden moment.
Barbara McLachlan represents Colorado House District 59, representing Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties. She is the only HD59 Representative to have served four consecutive terms. Her last day on the job will be Jan. 7, the first day of the legislative session and when Katie Stewart will be sworn in.
