Pace steps down as House minority leader

State Representative Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, announced today that he will step down as the Democratic leader of the Colorado State House.

Pace is running for Congress, aiming to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton in Colorado’s 3rd District.

The House Democrats will hold a caucus meeting to choose a new leader on Friday, Nov. 18 at 9 AM in HCR 0112 in the basement of the State Capitol.

“I have been privileged to lead our exceptional Democratic caucus in the state House of Representatives for the past year,” Pace said in a prepared statement. “We are an excellent team and it has been an honor to lead the fight on issues that are of vital importance to Coloradans. I am particularly proud of the partnerships we made last session to reduce the cut to our schools in order to provide more resources for our school children.

“This is my last term in the House. I felt that it was important to provide continuity to our caucus and give a new group of House Democratic members the chance to lead. We have excellent leaders, and I know that we will continue working together to promote the things that matter most to people – bringing new, good paying jobs to Colorado and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

Rep. Pace was elected to the Colorado House in 2008. Prior to running for office, Pace directed Congressman John Salazar’s district office.

Scot Kersgaard has been managing editor of a political newspaper, editor and co-owner of a ski town newspaper, executive editor of eight high-tech magazines (where he worked with current Apple CEO Tim Cook), deputy press secretary to a U.S. Senator, and an outdoors columnist at the Rocky Mountain News. He has an English degree from the University of Washington. He was awarded a fellowship to study internet journalism at the University of Maryland's Knight Center for Specialized Journalism. He was student body president in college. He spends his free time hiking and skiing.