Paul Lundeen, the Senate Minority Leader for the Colorado Republicans, has announced his resignation from the legislature effective immediately to take a new position in the private sector.
In a statement released on Monday, Lundeen expressed his gratitude to the constituents of Senate District 9, stating, “Serving Colorado has been an honor and blessing. I am grateful to the people of Senate District 9 for the opportunity to fight for policies that empower individuals, protect our communities, and promote prosperity.”
Lundeen’s future plans will see him stepping into the role of president and CEO at the American Excellence Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., which operates at a national scale. He will maintain his residency in Colorado while undertaking this new challenge.
Since 2022, Lundeen has served as the minority leader in the Colorado Senate. His current term was set to conclude in early 2027, but he is term-limited and unable to seek reelection in 2026.
Prior to his tenure in the legislature beginning in 2017, Lundeen was a member of the State Board of Education.
In a light-hearted moment during an interview with CPR News, he quipped about his duration in the statehouse, saying, “I’ve just completed my seventh session in the Senate. So what is that, 15 years on both sides of Colfax?”
Senate President James Coleman extended his best wishes and fond memories of Lundeen, highlighting his contributions to the legislative process. Coleman praised Lundeen’s communicative skills, noting how effectively he guided the chamber and led through example.
Coleman remarked, “He had a lot of grace and patience. I think those things are signs of an individual who seeks to understand. He really wanted to better understand everybody regardless of their backgrounds, their culture, their geographical location in the state as a legislator—do that effectively and not compromise his values.”
Throughout Lundeen’s time as the GOP leader, the Republicans remained in the minority in the Senate, with the last Republican-controlled Senate dating back to 2018.
The Senate Republican caucus is scheduled to convene on Thursday evening to select a successor for Lundeen as minority leader. Currently, there is uncertainty among Republican senators regarding potential candidates to replace him.
State Sen. Byron Pelton, who serves as the chair of the Senate GOP caucus, mentioned that he was taken aback by Lundeen’s decision but understands it. He appreciated Lundeen’s efforts towards funding K-12 education, saying, “I would describe him as a very unselfish leader, making sure that all of our voices were heard as a caucus.”
A Republican vacancy committee will meet to determine Lundeen’s successor. This replacement will join a notable group of 23 members in the General Assembly next year, many of whom advanced to their positions through a vacancy committee, indicating that over one-fifth of Colorado’s state lawmakers began their legislative careers in this manner.
While Lundeen’s name had surfaced in discussions as a potential gubernatorial candidate for the 2026 election, his new role appears to put an end to that speculation.
image source from：https://www.kunc.org/news/2025-06-09/top-republican-in-colorado-senate-resigns-to-take-private-sector-job
