born legislator state colorado worked outdoor guide representative elected democrat legislature noted focus transportation environment issues state legislature particularly response fire dangers posted colorado mountain pine beetle epidemic volunteer served fighting fires colorado california appointed vacancy colorado state senate late won election senate term currently represents multi county region stretching near boulder rocky mountain ski country west denver rose quickly chair announced seek election commissioner seat run term legislature biography parents public school teachers later school divorced young split childhood colorado michigan influenced early age public service meeting president earned bachelor degree attended denver worked graduate degree political science worked timber industry manager company new_york outdoor adventure guide colorado local member diplomat elected board year term athlete competed marathon running races including trail helped coach cross country ski team volunteered habitat humanity clean team sat boards club cited volunteer youth mentor program meaningful volunteer experience worked washington office congressman director office congressional sat helped launch democrats legislative career election currently resident colorado ran state legislature seat vacated served campaign chair running office age faced criticism relative youth inexperience spending campaign twice republican opponent ultimately defeated margin constituency encompassed eagle lake summit counties including skiing communities legislative session year legislature session sat vice chair year appointed board directors colorado tourism office starting congressman continuing legislative career promoted increased government assistance forest management issues particularly response increased fire danger caused mountain pine beetle legislature sponsored legislation established grant program setting aside million projects reduce fire risks bill signed law ultimately yielded forest restoration projects district following legislative session order better understand issues surrounding forest trained received certification certified type lake fire rescue deployment volunteer assist fighting october california epidemic successfully bill requiring collaboration minimize impact wildlife oil gas drilling testified committee cooperative efforts oil environmental interests initial resistance successfully pushed legislation increase penalties truck drivers fail comply colorado law requiring snow chain roads winter designed improve accessibility safety house district later years state officials attributed decreases accidents tickets issued violating chain law passage bill named interim end regular session senate appointment following resignation president november unanimously elected vacancy committee seat colorado state senate resigned house_of_representatives tuesday december sworn senate hour later represent senate district covers clear grand summit portions western boulder jefferson counties interim appointment faced election november retain new senate seat appointed fill vacant house seat december legislative session year colorado state senate sat counterparts house committees served named vice chair chaired general_assembly caucus session sponsored total bills lead sponsor senate sponsor house bill bills passed average week legislative session including house bill provide funds local forest restoration projects working mothers act requires employers provide accommodations mothers protection act grant additional legal firefighters bill rules sales gaming machines bill prohibit soft drinks sold public schools bill lowering blood alcohol limit boat operators bill allowing water boards issue bonds fire projects bills failed committee including legislation provide million tax incentives film industry colorado prominent opponent proposals charge tolls mountain corridor district later cited significant accomplishment session response efforts advance understanding ongoing bark beetle epidemic colorado signed executive order february creating named member panel shortly creation following legislative session named chairman interim legislative committee study issues criticized republicans delaying start committee work following day announced plans committee meeting july prominent critic sudden closure lake dam road security reasons shortly road reopened announced plans legislation prevent future encourage cooperation agencies share vulnerability assessments emergency plans election general election faced republican roughly mid october cited track record passing legislation connections experience state capitol case election named business concerns major priorities continued term called reducing business personal property taxes growing local small businesses election bid endorsed golden raised campaign ultimately won election percent vote taking quarters votes cast losing narrowly suburban legislative session session rose chair sat missed opening ceremonies general_assembly called help fight near boulder colorado absence cited governor state state address travelled february june lobby resources deal colorado mountain pine beetle epidemic senate sponsor major transportation proposal introduced backed democratic leaders increase transportation funding million year primarily road bridge repair increasing range vehicle registration fees proposal labeled faster acronym stalled state senate advanced compromise reached drop pilot program charge drivers based vehicle miles travelled allow locally authorized toll roads eventually passed legislature faster passed support republicans objected level fee increases called resources fees support transportation increased registration fees drew significant protest public took effect july legislation sponsored included bills extend colorado habitat stamp program create specialty license plate skiing overhaul regulations oil gas drilling operations facilitate local planning fundraising fighting viewed crucial swing votes measure repeal death penalty colorado use resulting savings fund statewide cold case unit voted remove death penalty repeal legislation later voted support version bill containing repeal came vote passing legislature final day session january named year speaker graduation election november announced running election state senate fall run summit county commissioner seat vacated retirement opened seat republicans viewed opportunity discussed preference local politics state level republican democrat winning losing making decisions good colorado dysfunctional things federal state levels people come local level accomplish goals important communities november easily defeated republican winning election percent vote
Dan Gibbs