Katie Wallace selected to Colorado legislature

Katie Wallace, who has long been active in local Democratic politics, was selected to fill the vacant Senate District 17 seat previously held by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who resigned amid reports of improper treatment of and use of her staff.

Wallace was selected over seven other candidates who were considered for the appointment, which was made by the Boulder County Democratic Party vacancy committee, which consists of approximately 100 members. She will serve until 2026, when she will be up for election to serve the remaining two years of the term.

Wallace grew up in Lafayette, and now lives in Longmont, where she rents her home. Her district includes most of Longmont, and extends south to encompass Erie, Lafayette and those areas east of 95th Street in the Niwot and Gunbarrel areas all the way to I-25.

"It's been really good, all things considered," Wallace said of her experience at the statehouse. This is the first elected position Wallace has held. "It's a big learning curve," she said, "understanding how the process works."

So far, she has co-sponsored a bill with Representative Kyle Brown of Louisville and Representative Karen McCormick of Longmont that would add gender markers to death certificates, indicating whether the decedent identified as male, female or nonbinary. "It's good for family members and provides some dignity and respect for the deceased," Wallace said. Currently, death certificates indicate sex, but it aligns only with the biological sex of the decedent at birth.

Wallace was able to hire staff members with experience at the federal level working for former U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo. A large part of her duties include being able to respond to concerns of constituents concerning Medicaid and unemployment.

Pollution east of Boulder County in Weld County is also a subject she would like to see addressed. She also expressed support for education. "There are tremendous cuts at the federal level," she said.

Though Wallace has not yet been assigned to committees, she is also concerned about affordability, especially when it comes to housing. "I want to see what I can get moving for working families," she said. "It's absolutely my honor to serve."