Rose Pugliese, the top Republican in the Colorado House of Representatives and a central figure in the state’s recent political turbulence, announced her immediate resignation this week, sending shockwaves through the Capitol and leaving her party scrambling for new leadership. The decision, effective as of Monday, September 15, 2025, marks a dramatic end to her tenure as minority leader and state representative, and underscores the mounting pressure and personal toll that politics can exact—even on its most resilient participants.
Pugliese’s departure comes after a year marked by controversy, emotional strain, and a highly publicized scandal involving members of her own caucus. In a lengthy resignation letter addressed to friends and supporters, Pugliese wrote, “This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. When you are called to service, as I have been, it is difficult to walk away at a time when so many things need attention.” According to Colorado Politics, she cited her desire to be more present for her two children as a driving force behind her decision, revealing plans to move back to Mesa County, where she previously served as a county commissioner and considers home.
“There is nothing more important in my life than them,” Pugliese emphasized in her letter. “They have made so many sacrifices for me to be able to represent you. But they also need their mom right now, and I need to keep them safe.” The sentiment was echoed throughout her message, as she described herself as a single mother raising her children on her own, highlighting the personal sacrifices made in the name of public service.
But family was not the only reason for her sudden exit. The resignation follows a contentious special legislative session in August, which Pugliese described as “sad and disappointing.” The session was convened after officials said the state was facing a $750 million budget gap, a shortfall Democrats attributed to HR1, a federal spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. Yet budget woes quickly took a back seat to a scandal that would dominate headlines and floor debates alike.
The controversy centered on former Republican Representative Ryan Armagost, who secretly took a photo of Democratic Representative Yara Zokaie on the House floor and shared it in a Republican group chat. According to Colorado Public Radio, some members responded with crude comments about Zokaie’s appearance and outfit. The image eventually found its way to social media, prompting a wave of threats and harassment against Zokaie—including disturbing threats against her children. The fallout was immediate and severe, with calls for censure and a heated debate over who knew what, and when.
Pugliese found herself at the heart of the storm. She insisted that she informed House Democratic leadership on April 14 that Armagost had taken the photo, but Democrats countered that they had to review House security footage to uncover the truth. The dispute erupted on the House floor during a debate over a resolution to condemn Armagost’s behavior. House Majority Leader Monica Duran confronted Pugliese, saying, “The point of this day, in this moment, is to acknowledge what one of your members did to a member of mine. If you want to talk about your character, or lack of character, let’s have that conversation. But I will not have that conversation here in this well.” Pugliese, visibly upset, left the chamber but later returned to vote in favor of the resolution.
The experience clearly left its mark. In her resignation letter, Pugliese described the political environment as “toxic,” writing, “The lies and hypocrisies the Majority spewed were beyond what I had ever expected, even in Colorado politics. It has been degraded, and the one word that is at the top of my mind is toxic.” She further lamented, “I had no other choice but to bear witness to the collapse of integrity in the Colorado State House of Representatives.”
The tumult didn’t end there. Pugliese referenced other recent tragedies that weighed heavily during her final week in office, including the Evergreen High School shooting, the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, and the anniversary of 9/11. “The week simply put, overwhelmed us all with emotion,” she wrote, according to KDVR, reflecting on the broader sense of grief and anxiety permeating the state and the nation.
Pugliese’s resignation is the latest in a string of leadership shakeups for Colorado Republicans. She had only ascended to the role of minority leader in January 2024, after her predecessor Mike Lynch stepped down following a DUI scandal and a subsequent no-confidence vote by the Republican caucus. Pugliese herself was first elected in 2022 to represent House District 14 in El Paso County and was reelected in 2024 by a comfortable margin, as reported by Colorado Politics and Colorado Public Radio.
Her departure leaves House Republicans at a crossroads. Acting Minority Leader Ty Winter, who will serve in the interim, issued a statement thanking Pugliese for her service, but stressed the urgency of moving forward. “This is a turning point, not only for our caucus, but for our state and our nation,” Winter wrote. “At a time when Coloradans are facing rising costs, growing threats to public safety, and increasing political division, House Republicans are more committed than ever to standing firm for truth, honor, and policies that strengthen Colorado’s future. We will continue to fight for freedom, affordability, protecting families, and defending constitutional rights.”
Democratic leaders, meanwhile, struck a more conciliatory note. House Majority Leader Monica Duran and House Speaker Julie McCluskie issued a joint statement: “Stepping up to lead a caucus and represent communities in our state legislature are commendable acts of public service, and we thank Minority Leader Pugliese for her commitment to the people of her district and service in the legislature. We admire her dedication to her children, and we wish her all the best in her move to Mesa County and in the next chapter of her life.”
Pugliese’s resignation also follows the recent departure of Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, who left earlier this summer to head the American Excellence Foundation, further highlighting a period of instability for the state’s Republican leadership. Senate Republicans have since chosen Sen. Cleave Simpson as their new minority leader.
Looking ahead, House Republicans must now convene a vacancy committee within the next 30 days to select Pugliese’s replacement, as required by state law. The caucus is expected to meet in the coming weeks to elect a new leader—a process that will be closely watched as the party navigates a challenging political landscape and seeks to restore unity after months of upheaval.
For Rose Pugliese, the chapter closes not with triumph or defeat, but with a candid acknowledgment of the costs of leadership and the enduring importance of family. As Colorado’s political world turns its attention to the future, her departure serves as a stark reminder of the human side of politics and the sacrifices made behind the scenes.
