(Colorado Newsline) As U.S. Representative Greg Lopez’s short tenure in Congress nears an end, the self-described “placeholder” said it’s been “an honor and a privilege” to have voters from the 4th Congressional District trust him to be their voice in Congress.

“I’m a congressman not only for those people that voted for me, but also for those people that did not vote for me, because I represent the entire district, regardless of party affiliation,” Lopez, an Elizabeth Republican, told Newsline. “That’s the mindset I had when I walked in, and that’s the mindset that I will have for the rest of my time in Congress.”

Lopez found himself in Congress following former U.S. Representative Ken Buck’s resignation in March. Shortly afterwards, Lopez secured the Republican nomination to finish Buck’s term, and went on to defeatDemocrat Trisha Calverese in the June special election.

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Lopez said he wouldn’t change anything about his time in Congress, though he joked “it would’ve been nice if Representative Buck would have resigned earlier.”

“That would’ve gave me more time to do more stuff,” he said, and added that many people in both Colorado and Washington D.C. have asked him to stay involved in politics.

“Don’t be surprised if you do see my name on a ballot in 2026,” he said.

Races for a U.S. Senate seat, Colorado governor and three other statewide offices will be on the ballot in two years.

“I’m probably going to miss it a little bit, but all in all I knew when I went in that I was coming home,” Lopez said, “and it’s coming to an end, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Of all the bills and resolutions he has voted on while in Congress, Lopez said he was most glad to be able to vote in favor of a measure that would remove protections the Biden administration implemented for transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 20, but it’s still unclear what Congress will do to fund the government through the new year.

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Lopez said he wants his proposal to address “zombie programs” to be considered during the budget process — the Congressional Budget Office found more $516 billion in spending going to programs that Congress has not reauthorized.

“Everybody knows about it, but they’re a little shy because it does take boldness and courage to address it,” Lopez said. “We need to evaluate these programs and either reauthorize them because they’re still valuable, or we need to terminate them and not fund them.”

Lopez said House Republican leadership has told him that “we need you to come back, whatever you do, however you do it.” They’ve told him he understands the issues being discussed and asks good questions during the process, he said.

“The most successful legislators are the ones that can actually build relationships and are willing to talk to their colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Lopez said. “Those are the ones that seem to be the most impactful, or the ones that seem to get most things done because they’re building coalitions and they’re statesmen. That’s what I wanted to engage in.”

While he hasn’t had any legislation pass, Lopez said he’s introduced “some good bills” and he is “proud of the seeds that I’ve planted” in the topics he pursued. That includes a bill that would create a “red card system” to allow authorized immigrants to work. He also introduced a bill he said is intended to “educate the public about our national debt,” requiring the country’s national debt over the last three years to be printed at the top of any ballot with a federal candidate.

U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert will succeed Lopez representing the 4th District after switching from the 3rd Congressional District. Lopez said he hopes she “continues to be a strong voice” for the 4th District’s constituents and makes sure their needs are addressed.