Lori Garcia Sander

Lori Garcia Sander is a Republican member of the Colorado House of Representatives representing District 65, which includes parts of Weld and Larimer counties, encompassing the communities of Windsor, Wellington, Severance, Tinmath, and Eaton.

A lifelong Colorado resident, Sander was raised in LaSalle, Colorado, with one older brother and two younger sisters. Her father was a union carpenter in Denver, and her mother was a homemaker. She attended Valley RE-1 schools in Gilcrest. During her college years, she worked at a bank and traveled through Asia and Europe before beginning her career in education.

Sander is married to Will, a small business owner, and they reside in Eaton, where they operate a 198-tree apple orchard. She has lived in District 65 for 20 years, giving her direct experience with the needs of agricultural communities.

Education and Professional Background

Sander dedicated 25 years to public education before entering elected politics. Her career in education includes:

• Teacher of kindergarten through 12th grade, including English as a Second Language instruction in various Weld and Larimer county schools
• Assistant principal at the elementary school level
• Principal
• District administrator
• Supervisor of student teachers

Political Experience

Sander was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives on November 5, 2024. In the 2024 Republican primary for District 65, she defeated opponent Trent Lane Leisy with 62.43% of the vote. In the general election, she defeated Democrat Will Walters with 62.73% of the vote.

As a state representative, Sander serves on the Appropriations and Education committees. She advocates for education policy that includes teachers and stakeholders in discussions and supports enhanced local control with less legislative interference in schools. She champions priorities including education, economic growth, and public safety.