As Senate president, Garcia is the No. 1 Democrat in the chamber. His resignation will be effective Feb. 23.<\/p>\n
The Senate Democratic caucus will now have to vote on who should replace Garcia as president. A vacancy committee in Pueblo will choose his Democratic replacement to serve for the rest of this year\u2019s legislative session, which runs into early May.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor nearly a decade, I have had the immense honor to represent the people of Pueblo at the Colorado Capitol, and the privilege to serve as Senate president since 2019,\u201d Garcia said in a written statement. \u201cI am incredibly grateful that my community and my colleagues entrusted me with this responsibility, and I have been humbled by the opportunity to serve the state I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWhile my time in the Senate is coming to a close, I am proud of all that we\u2019ve accomplished together to move Colorado forward, and I am confident that whomever is selected to fill these vacancies will serve with the integrity and tenacity that Coloradans deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said in a written statement that \u201cGarcia\u2019s appointment is a great loss for Colorado.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the day I decided to run for office, President Garcia has been a mentor for me, just like he\u2019s been for many of my colleagues,\u201d Fenberg said. \u201cI\u2019ve learned so much from him over the years about public service, leadership and responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Fenberg of Boulder expressed interest in running to be president when asked Thursday by The Colorado Sun.<\/p>\n If Fenberg becomes president, there will likely be competition to fill his majority leader position.<\/p>\n Senate President Pro Tempore Kerry Donovan, a Vail Democrat, said she will also seek to replace Garcia. Donovan, like Garcia, is in the final year of her final term in the Senate.<\/p>\n Gov. Jared Polis, in a written statement, congratulated Garcia on his new job and thanked him for his work on behalf of Colorado.<\/p>\n \u201cUnder President Garcia\u2019s leadership we have led trailblazing health care reforms to save Coloradans money, created a state park at Fischer\u2019s Peak and we are poised to move forward in making Front Range rail a reality,\u201d the governor said.<\/p>\n Garcia was elected to the Colorado House in 2012. He was then elected to the Senate in 2014.<\/p>\n Garcia is the first Latino Senate president in Colorado history.<\/p>\n