A Colorado state senator was killed in a multi-car crash Wednesday night that left three others injured.
Democrat Sen. Faith Winter was the sole victim in the five-vehicle pileup that shut down a portion of the highway in the city of Centennial just after 6 p.m., the Colorado Democratic Caucus announced.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of our colleague and friend, Senator Faith Winter. Today, our caucus grieves the loss of a dedicated public servant whose commitment to the people of Colorado never wavered,” Colorado Senate President James Coleman and Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez said in a joint statement.
The fatal wreck happened on Interstate 25 near E Dry Creek Rd, 16 miles southeast of the statehouse in Denver.
Three others were injured in the crash. Police did not reveal the conditions of the others involved, the Colorado Sun reported.
Officials are investigating the crash.
“The cause is going to take some time to figure out,” Arapahoe County Sheriff Deputy John Bartmann said, according to the outlet.
A truck was on its side near several damaged cars on the blocked-off highway, according to photos captured by CBS Colorado.
Police reopened the roadway just before midnight, the sheriff’s office announced.
The 45-year-old politician was first elected to the statehouse in 2014 as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.
She was voted to represent Colorado’s 24th Senate District in 2019, defeating Republican incumbent Beth Martinez Humenik.
Since 2023, Winter represented the 25th Senate District after redistricting and was named the Assistant Senate Majority Leader, the third-highest-ranking member in the chamber.
She was term-limited after 2026.
Winter leaves behind two children, Tobin and Sienna, and her fiancé, former state Rep. Matt Gray.
The politician was a fierce advocate for transportation and environmental issues.
At the time of her death she was Chair of the Transportation & Energy Committee, and a member of the Business, Labor & Technology and Local Government & Housing Committees, according to her senate bio.
She graduated from the University of the Redlands with a degree in environmental management and biology.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was among the Colorado politicians who reacted to the news of Winter’s death.
“Our state is shaken by the loss of Senator Faith Winter, and I send my deepest condolences to her children, loved ones, friends, and colleagues across our state,” Polis said. “Faith was a fierce advocate for hardworking Coloradans, women, and families, and our climate. I’ve known Faith for nearly twenty years, first as an organizer for environmental causes and then expanding women’s representation and leadership, and finally, as a state senator. I have had the honor of working with her on many issues to improve the lives of every person and family in our great state, and tackling climate change. I am deeply saddened for her family, her friends and colleagues, and her community. Faith’s work and advocacy made Colorado a better state.”
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold joined Polis, calling Winter a “fierce advocate” for the Centennial State.
“Faith Winter was a fierce advocate for her community and her state. She leaves a lasting legacy and will be missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and loved ones,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold wrote on Facebook.
A party vacancy committee will determine who serves out the remaining year of Winter’s term.

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