CAR Honors 2017 Legislators of the Year

2017 is the very first year the Colorado Association of REALTORS ® is awarding Legislator of the Year awards. CAR does not take this responsibility lightly and our legislative policy committee comprised of members throughout the state of Colorado has carefully considered their decisions. And we believe that the collective honorees are legislators who have been stalwart supporters of the real estate industry, and legislators who have enhanced the ability of Coloradans to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

2017 Honorees include:

Representative Alec Garnett

Alec Garnett is a fourth generation Coloradan who represents Denver in House District 2. First elected in 2014, he currently sits on the Appropriations, Education, and Business Affairs and Labor Committees. As Assistant Majority Leader in the state House, Rep. Garnett was a Prime Sponsor and critical force in keeping House Bill 17-1279 (Construction Defect Actions Notice Vote Approval) moving to enable business groups and trial attorneys to reach an agreement on a longstanding problem in Colorado that prevented the building of attainably-priced housing.

Senator Chris Holbert

Senator Holbert currently represents Northern and Western Douglas County in Senate District 30. He was first elected to the State House in 2010 and is now completing his first four-year term in the State Senate. Holbert currently serves as the Majority Leader of the State Senate and serves on the Legal Services and Legislative Council Committees. Senator Holbert has consistently supported issues important to REALTORS®. With his experience in mortgage lending prior to his service in the legislature, Holbert has an advanced understanding of the issues that critically affect the real estate industry and has also been a steadfast backer of many pieces of REALTOR®-supported legislation.

Representative Kevin Van Winkle

Representative Kevin Van Winkle currently represents Highlands Ranch in House District 43. He was first elected to the State House in 2014 and is now completing his second, two-year term in the State House. Representative Van Winkle currently sits on the Finance and Business Affairs and Labor Committees and the Legislative Board of Ethics. Representative Van Winkle has consistently supported issues important to REALTORS® at the legislature.  He has homeownership and REALTORS® in mind when he considers relevant legislation impacting the housing industry, and consistently makes inquiries to understand how REALTORS® might be impacted by new or continuing public policies that regulate property rights or housing issues.

Representative Tracy Kraft Tharp

Representative Kraft-Tharp represents Arvada and Westminster in District 29. She is now completing her third 2-year term in the State House. Representative Kraft-Tharp is the chair of Business Affairs and Labor Committee and she also serves on the Legislative Audit and streamlining sales tax committees. Representative Kraft-Tharp has consistently supported issues important to REALTORS®. With her experience in business regulation and economic development issues, she has an advanced understanding of the regulatory issues that critically affect the real estate industry. She has also been a steadfast backer of many pieces of REALTOR® supported legislation.

Representative Matt Gray

Representative Gray is a former deputy district attorney. He represents Broomfield, Superior and Erie residents of House District 33.  Representative Gray was first elected to the State House in 2016 and is now completing his first 2-year term in the State House. He currently sits on the Finance, Local Government and Business Affairs and Labor Committees. Representative Gray is a new legislator, but in the short time he has been in office, his grasp of the complex world of public finance has been especially helpful to both his colleagues and housing industry-related legislation. He consistently approaches CAR lobbyists and CAR Government Affairs staff to understand how REALTORS® might be impacted by new or continuing public policies that regulate housing issues.

The protection of property rights is recognized as an important link to general prosperity and a cultivator of future economic growth. REALTORS® guide Coloradans through one of the most significant purchases of their lives – their homes. Colorado REALTORS® work diligently to pursue public policy that builds better communities, preserves our environment, improves real estate practices, and ensures economic vitality. As Colorado Association of REALTORS® Legislators of the Year, we applaud Representative Alec Garnett, Senator Chris Holbert, Representative Kevin Van Winkle, Representative Tracy Kraft Tharp and Representative Matt Gray on their legislative efforts to support the American dream of homeownership.

Above: (L-R) REALTORS® Steve Harder, Todd Schuster, Representative Kevin Van Winkle, Senator Chris Holbert, and REALTOR® Marcel Savoie
Photo: Colorado Association of REALTORS®

Above: (L-R) REALTORS® Dave Kupernik, Gerald Bauer, Jason Peck, Representative Alec Garnett, REALTOR® Mark Trenka, CAR CEO Tyrone Adams and REALTOR® Justin Knoll
Photo: Colorado Association of REALTORS®