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About Chris Richardson | Colorado House District 56

Learn more about Colorado State Representative Chris Richardson, a 23-year Army veteran, former Elbert County Commissioner, former school board member, and advocate for rural Colorado. Richardson represents House District 56 in the Colorado General Assembly.

Background

Because of his broad experience prior to serving his first year as a legislator, Chris was assigned to serve as Ranking Member of the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee, and in his second year, as Ranking Member of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. He is also a valued member of the House Second Amendment Caucus and the Legislature's Rural Caucus and the Veteran's Caucus. Additionally, he serves as the Chair of the House Republicans Amendments Committee, a key component of floor debates on proposed legislation.

Chris Richardson was uniquely qualified to hit the ground running when elected to represent the citizens of House District 56.

He was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, received an ROTC scholarship, studied mechanical engineering, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry from the University of Pennsylvania.

He served in Iraq as an anti-tank Platoon Leader in the 101st Airborne Division during Desert Storm, transferred to the Ordnance Corps and served in a variety of command and staff positions culminating his 23-year military career at the rank of Colonel in command of the 43rd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Prior to his military retirement, Chris, his wife Andrea, and daughter Avery moved to their present home in Elbert County south of Elizabeth. Chris is active in many local political, civic, veterans, and agricultural organizations. Chris was an active volunteer in the Elizabeth School District. First as Chairman of a volunteer district Infrastructure Assessment Committee and then as an elected School Board Member. He found his calling in public service and is now completing his second term as an Elbert County Commissioner.

His work in the various roles and organizations listed below have provided tremendous opportunity to work with, lobby, and respond to legislative measures as they are proposed, as well as, when they become law. Chris is currently serving on the state's Commission on Property Taxation. He was appointed by the legislature's House Minority Leader to represent the counties of the eastern plains as one of 19 individuals tasked with reviewing the property tax structure and recommend solutions to prevent future spikes in tax levels for homeowners.

LEADERSHIP ROLES IN EASTERN COLORADO

Elbert County Commissioner

Member of a three-person Board of County Commissioners that serves as the administrative, legislative and policy-setting body for the county government, enacts countywide regulations, considers land-use applications in a quasi-judicial role, and authorizes programs and expenditures of county funds. The Board also acts as the Board of Health, Board of Equalization, and Board of Directors for several Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) within the county. The Board advocates for the county with the State Legislature and represents the interests of the county in multiple state-wide and regional coordination and planning organizations.

Vice Chairman 2017-2018
Board Chairman 2019-2024

Colorado Counties, Inc (CCI)

Active member of CCI, a non-profit, membership association whose purpose is to offer assistance to county commissioners, mayors and council members and to encourage counties to work together on common issues. A primary role of CCI is to advocate for local control, reduction of unfunded mandates, and ensure counties have a voice in all legislation that impacts our local governments and the citizens we serve.

President, Eastern Region (Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Morgan, Washington, Logan, Yuma, Sedgwick, and Phillips Counties)
Member, Legislative Steering Committees
Vice Chairman, Transportation & Telecommunications Issues

Colorado Technical Services, INC (CTSI)

Executive Board member and Pool President for CTSI, the member-owned, county insurer. CTSI provides high-quality insurance products, cutting-edge loss control, superior communications, and outstanding technical and consulting services tailored to meet its member’s needs. CTSI provides trusted member driven risk protection and insurance benefits to 56 Colorado counties, schools, and other government agencies. CTSI provides pooled risk coverage for Casualty & Property Insurance, County Employee Health Insurance, and Workers Compensation Insurance.

CTSI Executive Board Member (Treasurer) 2021-2024
Casualty & Property Pool (CAPP) CAPP 2019-2014
- President & Comptroller CAPP 2022-2024
- Vice President CAPP 2019-2021

East Central Council of Local Governments (ECCOG)

Board member of the ECCOG, which serves as a forum for local governments within Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne Counties to identify regional issues and opportunities, develop strategies, and provide a consolidated system of oversight of management of Economic Development, Services for the Aging, and Senior Transit.

Board Member 2017-2024
Board Secretary 2019-2021
Board President, 2022-2024

Eastern Transportation Planning Region (ETPR)

Board Member and Co-Chair of the ETPR. The board is is comprised of regional local government representatives serving Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Phillips, Sedgewick, Yuma, Washington, and Logan Counties and serves to advocate for and advise CDOT on behalf of our region's transportation needs. Additionally, served as the Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) representative for the ETPR. The STAC provides advice to both the department and the Transportation Commission on the needs of the transportation systems in Colorado.

Board Member ETPR 2017-2024
Co-Chair ETPR 2021-2024
ETPR STAC Representative 2021-2023

Judicial Nominating Commission - 18th JD

Served a six year term on the bi-partisan Judicial Nominating Commission for the 18th Judicial District (Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert , & Lincoln Counties). This seven-person board consists of attorney's and non-attorneys, Republicans, Democrats, and Unaffiliated members who select and interview prospective applicants for County and District Court appointment. The Board makes recommendations of up to three candidates for all vacancies for final selection by the Governor.

Commission Member 2017-2022

Region 4 Opioid Council

Commissioner Board Member Representing Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne Counties within the Region 4 (Eastern Colorado) Opioid Council. The Council consists of elected leaders of counties and municipalities, advised by Public Health, Law Enforcement, Human Service, Behavioral Health and other experts, that manages grant dollars received as part of settlements reached with opioid manufacturers, prescribers, and distributors. These grants are intended to establish sustainable programs and capabilities throughout the region that address the local issues of opioid addiction. This regional board in part of the statewide Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC).

Board Member - 2022-2024

Colorado Broadband Deployment Board

Apointed to represent Eastern Colorado on the state's Broadband Deployment Board. This statutory board was was created to implement and administer the deployment of internet broadband service in unserved areas of the state by awarding grants through the state's Broadband Fund to eligible applicants. The Board continuously seeks to meet the needs of Colorado residents by funding projects designed to have the highest impact.

Board member - 2023-2024

ELizabeth School District

School Board Director for Elizabeth Schools, a district that serves approximately 2,400 students in western Elbert County. The district employees over 300 individuals and operated two elementary schools, a middle school, a traditional high school, and an alternative high school, and charters Legacy Academy, a K-8 charter school. The district strongly supports educational choice for parents and provides augmenting services for area home school students.

During Chris's time on the board, he took an active role in controlling costs, improving curriculum choice and fighting back against the implementation of Common Core and other state overreach.

Prior to joining the board, as a citizen volunteer, he chaired a committee of local experts in construction and maintenance, I/T, and transportation who conducted onsite assessments of the district's infrastructure condition and helped prioritize capital planning and investment of taxpayer dollars.

Chair, Infrastructure Assessment Committee 2012-2013
Director, Elizabeth School Board 2014-2017

Military experiance

Military Assignments

Chris served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 2011 in a variety of staff and command positions, in the U.S. and abroad, in peacetime and combat operations. He key assignments are listed below:

Commander, 43rd Sustainment Brigade (Fort Carson, CO)
Deputy Commander 43d Sustainment Brigade
Commander, 187 Ordnance Battalion (Fort Jackson, SC)
Chief, Force Projection, Army War Plans, G3/5 (Pentagon, DC)
Field Team Leader, Rapid Equipping Force (Balad, Iraq*)
Director Operations/Plans, 29th Support Group (Germany (Turkey*))
Chief, Current Operations, 21st Theater Support Command (Germany (Kosovo/Macedonia*))
Staff Officer, Strategic Management & Innovations Division, Army Chief of Staff (Pentagon, DC)
Chief Ordnance/Transportation Assistance Team, 5th Army Readiness Group Denver (Aurora, CO)
Commander, 595th Maintenance Company (K16 Airbase, South Korea)
Anti-tank Platoon Leader, D/1-327th Infantry, 101st ABN (AASLT)Division (Fort Campbell, KY (Iraq*))
Rifle Platoon Leader, A/3-327th Infantry, 101st ABN (AASLT), (Fort Campbell, KY)

*Combat Deployments

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

A lifelong Republican who attended High School and College during the Reagan years, Chris kept his political views quiet throughout his military career. Serving under five Presidents, the impact of politics and the ever widening gulf between the the two major parties became clearer and clearer. Where once the parties represented two different paths to the same goal of "building a more perfect union", it became evident that the Democrat Party had become a party that no long held the ideals of our nation's founders. Once retired, and hoping to preserve freedom for his daughter, Chris became active in party politics. Over the years he has held the following party positions:

Precinct Committee Person
County Party Secretary
Secretary, HD64 Central Committee
Vice Chair, 18th Judicial District Central Committee
State Central Committee Voting Member

Education/Training

Chris's significant experience in public leadership and government operations is founded on formal schooling and certifications. He deeply understands the importance of access to education as a key to success.

Formal Education

University of Pennsylvania Class of 1989 BS Mechanical Engineering/Army Commission (ROTC)
Combined Armed Services Staff School - Fort Leavenworth, KS 1996 (Staff & Planning Processes)
Command & General Staff College - Fort Leavenworth, KS 1998-1999 (Resource Management/Operational Planning)
Leadership Program of the Rockies Class of 2015 (Principles of Freedom/Defense of Capitalism)

Technical Certifications

Multi-functional Logistics Planners Certification
Operations Research Certification
Basic Army Parachutists Course
Army Air Assault Course
Air Load Planning Certification
HAZMAT Certification

Active and/or Lifetime Membership

A balance between family, work, and community/civic support is very important. When time permits, Chris remains active in local and national veteran's organizations, has been a continuous champion of Second Amendment rights, has served for many years as voting delegate for Elbert County's Farm Bureau, and supports local small businesses.

NOTE: Use of organizational logos does not indicate endorsement of the candidate. Use of military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

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