Pete Lee, Representative for House District 18

The Tae Kwon Do martial arts motto of courtesy, integrity, perseverance,
and indomitable spirit guides the work of Pete Lee, your representative for House District 18. Pete is now serving his second term in the Colorado State Assembly where he practices his black belt motto when enacting legislation that makes Colorado a better place to live. He credits perseverance as the key to his legislative success.

During the 2013 legislative session, Pete will serve as Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, seeking to improve sentencing guidelines for criminal and juvenile offenses. Pete is best known for his advocacy for restorative justice whereby juvenile offenders make restitution to their victims. In addition, Pete is on the Transportation and Energy Committee charged with overseeing the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Public Utility Commission.

Thanks to the dedicated support of numerous volunteers, voters re-elected Pete on November 6. That day, Democrats regained majority control (37 to 28) in Colorado’s House of Representatives.  Along with a
Democratic majority in the Senate and our Democratic governor, Democrats hope to pass progressive legislation, such as legalizing civil unions, restoring education funding, correcting electoral abuses, and Pete’s choice, reforming sentencing guidelines in the criminal justice system.

Although the 2012 session was rife with Republican partisanship, in a bit of irony, Pete arranged a bi-partisan mountain climbing trip for his fellow legislators on Mount Lincoln and Mount Democrat near FairPlay.

As a well-read and informed legislator, Pete regularly reads the Denver Post, New York Times, Washington Post, Colorado Biz, and The Colorado Statesman, among others. He also watches CNN and Fox News, and listens to NPR during his commutes to and from Denver.

Throughout his career as a businessman and attorney, Pete has made public service a priority, serving as a volunteer and board member with a number of community service organizations including Workout Ltd.,
AspenPointe Health Services, (formerly Pikes Peak Mental Health), and Citizens Project.

When he’s not in session, Pete loves to ski and regularly hikes and jogs the local trails with his wife, Lynn, who serves as the Chair of the Pikes Peak Restorative Justice Council and is a silk painting artist
with CommonWheel Artists in Manitou Springs. They have three children: Amanda, Rob, and Brian.

“During the campaign, while walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors, many residents recognized Pete and knew his name,” says Jane Ard-Smith, his campaign manager. “He’s a good listener, relates well to
voters, and is truly concerned about their issues.”

As a very accessible lawmaker, Pete wants to know what issues are important to his constituents and what they’re thinking.  .“I encourage all citizens to contact me, visit with me at the capitol, and send your e-mails with your concerns and comments,” he said.

You may contact Pete at his local office (719-632-1165), or his Denver office (303-866-2932), e-mail him at pete.lee.house@state.co.us, or visit his website, peteleecolorado.com.

Interview by Joe Morgan