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About Chris Richardson | Colorado House District 56

COLORADO HOUSE DISTRICT 56

About Chris Richardson

Experienced leadership. A lifetime of service.

Chris Richardson represents House District 56 with more than three decades of leadership in military service, local government, education, transportation, economic development, agriculture, and public policy.

A 23-year Army officer and Desert Storm veteran, Chris retired as a colonel after commanding the 43rd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson. He later served on the Elizabeth School Board and two terms as an Elbert County commissioner, including six years as chairman.

Chris and his wife, Andrea, have made their home south of Elizabeth in Elbert County, where they raised their family and became deeply involved in the community.

Leadership on the House Floor

Watch Chris defend constitutional rights & rural Colorado.

ROLES AT THE CAPITOL

Current Legislative Leadership

KEY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Leadership Across Eastern Colorado

2017–2024 Elbert County Commissioner Two terms overseeing county government, public health, land use, transportation, budgeting, and regional coordination; chairman from 2019 through 2024.

2021–2024 Colorado Technical Services, Inc. Executive Board member and treasurer; President and Comptroller of the counties’ casualty and property insurance pool.

2017–2024 East Central Council of Local Gov’ts Board member, then Secretary and President supporting regional economic development, senior services, and intergovernmental cooperation.

2017–2024 Eastern Transportation Planning Region Co-Chair and representative to the Statewide Transportation Advisory Council advocating for the transportation needs of eastern Colorado.

2017–2022 18th Judicial Nominating Commission Appointed by the Governor to evaluate and recommend qualified applicants for county and district court vacancies.

2022–2024 Region 4 Opioid Abatement Council Represented four eastern counties in directing settlement funds toward sustainable local prevention and treatment programs.

2023–2024 Colorado Broadband Deployment Board Represented eastern Colorado counties in awarding grants to expand broadband service in unserved and underserved communities throughout the state.

2012–2017 Elizabeth School District School Board Director and infrastructure committee chair focused on accountability, educational choice, parental rights, and responsible capital planning.

MILITARY SERVICE

Command/Leadership at Home and Abroad*

Battle-tested. Guided by principle. Proven leader.

Commissioned through Army ROTC at the University of Pennsylvania, Chris served in infantry, ordnance, logistics, and strategic-planning assignments throughout the United States and overseas before retiring as a colonel in 2011.

✓ Platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm

✓ Commander of the 595th Maintenance Company and the187th Ordnance Battalion

✓ Senior assignments at the Pentagon, in Europe, South Korea, Iraq, and across the United States

✓ Commander of the 43rd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson

PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION

Education, Training and Community

Education and Professional Training

University of Pennsylvania, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering; commissioned through U.S. Army ROTC
Command and General Staff College - operational planning and organizational Leadership
Leadership Program of the Rockies
Operations research, resource management, logistics planning, airborne, air assault, transportation planning, and HAZMAT training

Professional Memberships

101st Airborne Division Association
American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Colorado Farm Bureau
Elizabeth Area Chamber

Grounded in service. Focused on results.

Chris brings military discipline, local-government experience, and a deep understanding of rural Colorado to every vote at the State Capitol.

*Use of military rank, job titles, or photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the United States Army or the Department of Defense.

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