Rachel Zenzinger

Rachel Zenzinger (born 1974) is an American politician from the state of Colorado. A Democrat, Zenzinger is the Jefferson County Commissioner for District 1.^[1] She has also represented the 19th district of the Colorado Senate beginning in 2017, she previously represented the same seat from her appointment in 2013 until 2015.^[2][3] Before that, Zenzinger served on the Arvada City Council.

Rachel Zenzinger
Member of the Colorado Senate from the 19th district
In office January 11, 2017 – January 8, 2025
Preceded by	Laura J. Woods
Succeeded by	Lindsey Daugherty
In office December 10, 2013 – January 14, 2015
Preceded by	Evie Hudak
Succeeded by	Laura J. Woods
Personal details
Born	1974 (age 50–51) Colorado
Political party	Democratic
Education	Regis University (BA, MA)
Website	Campaign website

Personal life and education

Zenzinger earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Regis University.^[4]

Career

Zenzinger was elected to the Arvada City Council in 2008. She became Mayor Pro Tem in 2011.^[4]

Zenzinger was appointed to the state senate following the resignation of Evie Hudak.^[5] Zenzinger was the campaign manager of Hudak's 2012 campaign.^[6]

In 2023, she played an important role in removing upzoning provisions from a major land use reform bill that Colorado Democrats were writing to address the housing crisis in Colorado. Zensinger wrote an editorial with Republican Colorado legislator Barbara Kirkmeyer that argued that the reform bill "should be amended to eliminate state control of local land-use planning."^[7] The bill subsequently was left to languish in the Senate, preventing its passage in the 2023 legislative session.^[8]

In the 2024 election, Zenzinger ran for Jefferson County commissioner to represent District 1. She won the race to succeed Tracy Kraft-Tharp and assumed office on January 2025.^[9]