Democratic state Rep. Rochelle Galindo of Greeley announced that she is resigning her seat immediately, effective May 12, citing undisclosed allegations against her.
Galindo was elected last November in Colorado’s Democratic blue wave. This was Galindo’s first year in the legislature. Had she not stepped down, she was facing a recall effort from Republicans for her vote on Senate Bill 19-181, which overhauls oil and gas regulations, her support for a “red flag” gun law and other Democratic bills they feel are too extreme.
The Greeley Police Department confirmed to CPR that a police report was recently filed against Galindo. The woman who filed it worked on Galindo’s campaign, and the contents of the report are sealed.
“The allegations against me are false,” Galindo said in a statement. “That said, they will make our fight against the pending recall effort untenable. I will not put my constituents through what will surely be a recall campaign based on political smear tactics and false allegations.”
She said on her Facebook page that it’s been “the honor of my life to serve as the Representative for House District 50,” and that she served her district with the best of her ability.
Top Democrats in the legislature supported Galindo’s decision to resign.
“Today Rep. Galindo submitted a letter of resignation,” wrote Speaker of the House KC Becker and House Majority Leader Alec Garnett in a statement. “We agree with Rep. Galindo's decision to step down at this time and allow someone else to serve the people of House District 50.”
Galindo’s seat will now be filled by a Democratic vacancy committee.
