Republican state Sen. Bob Rankin announces resignation

State Sen. Bob Rankin will resign from his position on Jan. 10, halfway through his four-year term, the Colorado Senate Republicans announced Thursday.

“I have informed the Secretary of the Senate my intention to resign from the Colorado State Senate effective January 10th. After proudly serving this state for the past 10 years, I have made the decision to move forward with the next chapter of my life,” the Carbondale Republican said in a statement.

Rankin, 80, was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2012. He was appointed to serve in the state Senate in 2019 and won reelection in 2020. Since 2015, Rankin has served on the powerful Joint Budget Committee, which has already started its work creating the 2023-24 fiscal year budget.

The Senate Republican caucus will need to select a replacement for Rankin on that committee.

A vacancy committee will also need to select a replacement to serve the rest of Rankin’s term.

“We are all incredibly grateful for Senator Rankin’s service to this state,” Senate Minority Leader John Cooke, a Republican from Greeley, said in a statement. “His grit, integrity, and honesty is something every member of the General Assembly can aspire to. During his tenure, Bob championed responsible conservative fiscal policy to the benefit of every Colorado taxpayer. His commitment to this state and the people of Colorado will always be cherished. We wish Bob all the best in the next chapter of his life.”

The state legislature convenes in its next session on Jan. 9, 2023.