Ava Flanell

Ava Flanell is a Republican member of the Colorado House of Representatives representing House District 14, which serves El Paso County. A Colorado Springs native, she was appointed to the legislature in October 2025 following the resignation of Rose Pugliese.

Flanell is a firearms instructor and small business owner who founded Elite Firearms and Training in Colorado Springs in 2013. She also established a marketing and media company in 2017 to promote voices within the firearm industry and educate broader audiences on firearms-related topics. Her background in business and advocacy informs her legislative focus on affordability, public safety, individual freedoms, and family support.

Education

Flanell graduated from a local Colorado Springs charter high school before attending Fordham University in New York City, where she earned dual undergraduate degrees in English and Communications. After college, she worked for the New York Yankees in sales before transitioning to the legal and finance department, remaining in New York for eight years before relocating to Colorado.

Political Experience

Flanell was selected through an El Paso County Republican Party vacancy committee in September 2025, winning the selection with 28 votes in the second round. She has been an active advocate for Second Amendment rights, testifying against proposed firearms restrictions at the Colorado State Capitol, including Senate Bill 25-3, which would have restricted semi-automatic firearms sales.

Her legislative priorities include making Colorado safer and more affordable, defending constitutional rights, supporting parents and families, and promoting government accountability.