DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado House Minority Leader Rose Pugilese announced that she is stepping down from office to spend more time with her two children in Mesa County.
Rose Pugliese sent a lengthy resignation letter discussing her impetus to leave office, saying the “contentious Special Session” was “sad and disappointing” for her, adding that she “had no other choice but to bear witness to the collapse of integrity in the Colorado State House of Representative.”
The special session was called after officials said the state was facing a $750 million budget gap, which Democrats said stemmed from HR1, a federal spending bill signed into law July 4 by President Donald Trump.
“The lies and hypocrisies the Majority spewed were beyond what I had ever expected, even in Colorado politics. It has been degraded, and the one word that is at the top of my mind is toxic,” Pugliese wrote.
On the last day of the special session, legislators looked to censure former Rep. Ryan Armagost, a Republican who reportedly made sexual jokes about a female representative in a group chat with other Republican colleagues. The reading of the resolution turned into a battle on the House floor between the two parties’ leaders.
“My character has been assaulted, and I have a right to defend myself,” Pugliese said at the time. “I have had to clear my name, and that’s unfair.”
In her resignation letter, Pugliese also noted the school shooting at Evergreen High School, the shooting and death of Charlie Kirk in Utah and the anniversary of 9/11.
“This week simply put, overwhelmed all of us with emotion,” Pugliese wrote in her resignation letter.
Pugliese served as assistant minority leader in the Colorado General Assembly after she won the general election in 2022 and 2024, and was elected minority leader after Mike Lynch resigned from the position, following a no-confidence vote by members of the Republican caucus after Lynch failed to disclose a DUI arrest.
Pugliese also said she “prayed harder than I ever had for peace” after the special session, and sought to understand what “God’s path” is for her.
“I have spent the months reflecting on my life choices, especially in relation to my children,” Pugliese wrote, sharing that she is a single mother of two children. “There is nothing more important in my life than them. They have made so many sacrifices for me to be able to represent you. But they also need their mom right now, and I need to keep them safe. So, we have made the decision to return to Mesa County. I believe the three of us need some time at ‘home’ right now.”
Pugliese’s resignation was effective immediately, and she called it “one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.”
“When you are called to service, as I have been, it is difficult to walk away at a time when so many things need attention. It has been my honor to represent the good people of House District 14 in El Paso County. Your faith and confidence in me have meant so much to me, and I am forever thankful,” Pugliese wrote.
Acting Minority Leader Ty Winter thanked Pugliese for her service in a statement issued Monday, but also said there is work to be done at the statehouse.
“This is a turning point, not only for our caucus, but for our state and our nation,” Winter wrote. “At a time when Coloradans are facing rising costs, growing threats to public safety, and increasing political division, House Republicans are more committed than ever to standing firm for truth, honor, and policies that strengthen Colorado’s future. We will continue to fight for freedom, affordability, protecting families, and defending constitutional rights.”
A vacancy committee will be established by the Colorado GOP to choose Pugliese’s replacement within the next 30 days.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
