Rep. Rose Pugliese resigns from Colorado’s House District 14
Celeste Springer
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Representative Rose Pugliese of Colorado’s House District 14 has resigned, according to a resignation letter obtained by KRDO13. District 14 encompasses a portion of El Paso County.
In the letter, Pugliese said that she had spent time praying on the issue following what she described as a “contentious” Special Session.
“The last day of Special Session was sad and disappointing for me. I had no other choice but to bear witness to the collapse of integrity in the Colorado State House of Representatives,” wrote Pugliese. “The lies and hypocrisies the Majority spewed were beyond what I had ever expected, even in Colorado politics.”
KRDO13 asked her about the last day of the Special Session.
“I clearly was disappointed in the way that the last day of the special session transpired. And any attacks on my integrity and character are really offensive to me because I didn’t deserve that. But, you know, I think we need to move forward and find a path forward. And for me, it was focusing on what really matters to me, which is my family. And, you know, I’m hoping that people on both sides of the aisle will continue to try to find a path forward, because I do think we need to do better in the legislature. I think the people of Colorado deserve that. But it’s going to take leadership on both sides and a willingness to want to forge a path forward,” said Rose Pugliese.
Pugliese also cited a devastating week between the shooting at Evergreen High School, the shooting of Charlie Kirk, and the anniversary of 9/11.
Above all else, Pugliese pointed to her children, who she said have made their own sacrifices during her career.
“I think the special session was hard, and I think even just over the last couple of months, just evaluating my life choices and what’s best for my kids. You know, I’m on the road a lot. I’ve got three jobs outside of the legislature, and then I am still the minority leader and a legislator. And so trying to keep all of those balls in the air while raising my kids all by myself. It’s been challenging. And so, then we went into special session, and that was rough. And then just the events over the last couple of weeks, you know, my kids have been clinging to me even more and just want me home more. And so I think I really just had to take a step back and, obviously, I’m very faithful and try to get some direction. And I really think this is the best choice for my kids, and for myself as well,” explained Pugliese.
Puglise says that she’s leaving the House Republican Caucus in good hands.
“We’ve got a lot of great leadership already, and people who are really dedicated. And then the caucus will step up. I know that they will and continue to fight for the values that they believe in,” shared the former representative.
According to the letter, her resignation is effective Sept. 15, 2025.
During her time at the Capitol, Pugliese passed legislation she’s proud of.
“There are three pieces of legislation that were really, I really put my heart and soul in. One was to reduce property taxes. And that was really, really important. Took a lot of bipartisan work. So proud of that legislation. My kinship bill, which was my very first bill that reduced barriers so that families can stay together when there’s an emergency situation, and then open up more foster homes to children who don’t have families that can take them in. And I thought that was really a fundamental piece of legislation. And then this past session, I was able to pass the right to try for individualized treatments. I mean, there’s not a lot of legislation you can talk about that you can say, like, this will literally save somebody’s life, but that legislation will give terminal patients, especially children, access to medications they wouldn’t have had otherwise. And so, I’m really proud of all three. And I feel like there’s a lot more I could talk about, but I really did focus on protecting our children and our families and trying to make Colorado more affordable. And I feel like I was able to accomplish that in a very short amount of time,” recounted Pugliese.
Pugliese will still be a public figure in Southern Colorado. She says she’ll continue representing rural counties as their county attorney, managing her law firm, and working on the Southeastern Colorado Opioid Abatement Council.
House Republican leadership released a statement thanking Minority Leader Rose Pugliese for her service.
Acting Minority Leader Ty Winter, today issued the following statement after Minority Leader Rose Pugliese announced her resignation as State Representative for House District 14:
“On behalf of the Colorado House Republican Caucus, we want to express our deep gratitude to Minority Leader Rose Pugliese for her dedicated service to the people of El Paso County and the State of Colorado.
This is a turning point, not only for our caucus, but for our state and our nation. 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.
The Colorado House Republican caucus will move quickly to elect a new leader and remain focused on delivering solutions for the people of Colorado.”
We reached out to the House Democrats for their response to Pugliese’s resignation letter.
“Stepping up to lead a caucus and represent communities in our state legislature are commendable acts of public service, and we thank Minority Leader Pugliese for her commitment to the people of her district and service in the legislature. We admire her dedication to her children, and we wish her all the best in her move to Mesa County and in the next chapter of her life.”
– Joint Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie and House Majority Leader Monica Duran
There will be an election among republican house members to elect the next House minority leader, according to a representative for the House Republicans.
Pugliese’s House District 14 seat will be appointed by a vacancy committee; however, since Pugliese’s resignation is effective Monday, officials say it’s too early to know who will be a part of that committee.