Colorado House Democrat Jennifer Parenti drops out of contested race

State Rep. Jennifer Parenti, an Erie Democrat running in one of the tightest Colorado House races this November, announced Friday that she’s dropping out of a race that may decide the extent of Democrats’ control in the Capitol next year.

Parenti, a freshman member of the House’s Democratic supermajority, is not resigning her seat and will serve out the remaining months of her term. She informed House leadership Friday morning.

Because Parenti’s decision comes after the June legislative primaries, a vacancy committee in House District 19 will select a candidate to replace Parenti on the November ballot.

She said in a statement that her decision to leave her reelection race was influenced by a Capitol culture that rewards “personal agendas and special interests … at the expense of our districts, each other and the integrity of the body in which we serve.”

“While many factors have weighed into this decision, ultimately it comes down to this: I cannot continue to serve while maintaining my own sense of integrity,” she wrote. “The two are simply incompatible.”

In an interview Friday afternoon, Parenti said she often felt that “we were being asked to compromise our values, to compromise the promises we made to constituents.” She declined to provide an example of a specific bill or policy for which that compromise occurred, saying she wasn’t “interested in poking anyone publicly in the face.”

Parenti sponsored an unsuccessful bill this year that would have required more training for armed school security officers who are not law enforcement. She also sparred with fellow Democrats on the House floor over legislation regulating youth sports. A version of that bill was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Jared Polis.

In brief statements Friday, House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, both Democrats, wished Parenti luck on her next steps and thanked her for her service.