Rod Bockenfeld

Rodney Joseph Bockenfeld (December 9, 1955 – February 13, 2025) was an American politician who served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 56th district, which encompassed portions of Arapahoe and Adams counties, including the communities of Aurora, Bennett, Brick Center, Brighton, Byers, Comanche Creek, Commerce City, Deer Trail, Lochbuie, Peoria, Strasburg, Thornton, Todd Creek, and Watkins.^[1]

Rod Bockenfeld
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 56th district
In office January 4, 2019 – January 8, 2025
Preceded by	Philip Covarrubias
Succeeded by	Chris Richardson
Personal details
Born	(1955-12-09)December 9, 1955 Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
Died	February 13, 2025(2025-02-13) (aged 69) Watkins, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan Bockenfeld
Residence(s)	Watkins, Colorado, U.S.
Alma mater	Western Illinois University University of Colorado
Occupation	Banker, small business owner

Early life and education

Bockenfeld was born on December 9, 1955, in Quincy, Illinois.^[2][3] He graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School, a private Catholic school, in 1974 before attending Western Illinois University, from which he graduated in 1978 with a B.S. in law enforcement administration.^[4] Shortly thereafter, Bockenfeld moved to Colorado and began working as a financial crimes investigator.^[3] In 1989, he received a diploma from the University of Colorado graduate school of banking.^[3]

Political career

In 2004, Bockenfeld was elected Arapahoe County Commissioner, a post he held for 12 years.^[5] He was also chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.

Elections

After defeating the incumbent Philip Covarrubias in the primaries, Bockenfeld was elected in the general election on November 6, 2018, winning 56 percent of the vote over 41 percent of Democratic candidate Dave Rose.^[6]

In the 2020 Colorado House of Representatives election, Bockenfeld defeated his Democratic Party and Libertarian Party opponents, winning 35,520 votes. Democrat Giugi Carminati won 23,790 votes and Libertarian Kevin Gulbranson won 2,531 votes.^[7]

In the 2022 Colorado House of Representatives election, he again defeated his Democratic Party and Libertarian Party opponents, winning 75.83% of the total votes cast.^[8]

Bockenfeld did not run for re-election in 2024, citing health reasons.^[9]

Personal life and death

Bockenfeld lived in Watkins, Colorado, with his wife Susan.^[4] He had five children and four grandchildren.^[10] Bockenfeld died on February 13, 2025, at the age of 69.^[11]