Colorado state Representative William Lindstedt will move to the state Senate to take the seat formerly occupied by Colorado state Senator Faith Winter, who died in a car crash in November.

Lindstedt, a Broomfield Democrat, won a vote during a vacancy committee election Tuesday. The committee comprised Democratic voters from Senate District 25. Lindstedt beat one other candidate, Tom Klenow. Senate District 25 covers north Westminster, part of Broomfield, and Northglenn.

Image

“These are not the circumstances I anticipated pursuing a seat in the state Senate, and I know this loss has been devastating for our community, and for many of us very personally,” Lindstedt said about Winter’s death. “At the same time, with the legislative session rapidly approaching, the work of serving our community in the state Senate has to continue.”

Lindstedt filed paperwork with the secretary of state’s office in June declaring his intent to run for the Senate District 25 seat in 2026. Klenow also filed paperwork declaring his intent to run for the seat in 2026.

In the House this year, Lindstedt chaired the House Finance Committee and the Legislative Audit Committee. He said he has worked on “some of the toughest fiscal and oversight decisions facing our state” on those committees. He served as a member of Broomfield City Council before he was elected to the Legislature.

Lindstedt said he would work to prioritize protecting public benefits like Medicaid and Colorado’s paid family leave, clean air and water, and funding for K-12 education.

U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, nominated Lindstedt in the vacancy committee meeting.

“No one can fill Faith’s incredibly large shoes, but I am convinced that William Lindstedt will be an incredible, incredible public servant for the people of Colorado Senate District 25,” Neguse said.

Lindstedt is subject to a state ethics complaint alleging he and other moderate Democrats in the Colorado Legislature accepted payment for luxury resort expenses at an October gathering with lobbyists in Vail.

Winter, a Broomfield Democrat, died during a multi-vehicle car crash on Interstate 25 south of Denver on Nov. 26. Winter was the only one in her car, and her blood alcohol level was above the legal limit when she died.

Another vacancy committee will need to convene to select a replacement for Lindstedt in House District 33, which is centered in Broomfield.

The Legislature will convene for its 2026 session January 14.