Manny Rutinel resigns from Colorado legislature to focus on pivotal congressional race

Manny Rutinel, a Democratic state representative from Commerce City who is running in Colorado’s most competitive congressional district this year, resigned from the state legislature Friday.

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Rutinel is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th Congressional District north of Denver. Evans narrowly won the seat two years ago, defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo. It’s considered a district that could swing and the race between Evans and Rutinel has garnered national attention.

Rutinel’s campaign announced Friday that he was resigning from the statehouse effective immediately.

“With less than two months until the general election, we are now fully focused on defeating Gabe Evans and his reckless, cost-hiking agenda,” Rutinel said in a written statement.

When a state lawmaker leaves office before their term is up, it traditionally triggers the gathering of a vacancy committee to elect someone to finish out their tenure. But given that Rutintel is resigning so close to the election, Democrats may not convene one. 

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“I’m inclined to allow the voters to choose their next representative without the influence of a vacancy committee filling a 30 day gap this close to the election, especially considering the legislature’s not in session and there’s no business being conducted,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “It’s best for them to just have their say between our nominee and the Republican nominee.”

Democrat Chris VanDijk and Republican Michelle Deon Lee are running in House District 32, Rutinel’s former seat.

It’s considered a safe Democratic seat the party expects to hold.

Rutinel himself was appointed to the legislature by an Adams County vacancy committee in 2023. He was then elected to the state legislature for a full term in 2024.