Rod Pelton

Rod Pelton is a state senator from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. A Republican, Pelton represents Senate District 35, which includes much of east-central and southeastern Colorado.^[1]

Rod Pelton
Pelton in 2025
Member of the Colorado Senate from the 35th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Cleave Simpson
Minority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives
In office November 15, 2022 – January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Hugh McKean
Succeeded by	Mike Lynch
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 65th district
In office January 4, 2019 – January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Jon Becker
Succeeded by	Redistricted
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Website	Campaign website

Previously, Pelton represented Colorado House of Representatives District 65, which encompassed Morgan, Logan, Yuma, Kit Carson, Phillips, Sedgwick, and Cheyenne counties.^[2]

Background

A farmer and rancher, Pelton served for many years on the Cheyenne County Board of County Commissioners, serving as chair of the commission for most of that time.^[3]

Elections

2018

Pelton was first elected as a state representative in the 2018 general elections. In that election, he defeated his Democratic Party opponent, winning 76.3% of the vote.^[4]

2020

Pelton ran unopposed in the 2020 state house district 65 race, winning all 31,857 votes cast.^[5]

2022

In October 2021, Pelton announced his candidacy for a seat in the Colorado Senate. Specifically, he ran to represent the newly reapportioned Senate District 35, which includes parts of former districts 1 and 35 in east central and southeastern Colorado.^[1] His candidacy was successful. In the general election, he defeated his Democratic Party opponent, winning 74.30% of the vote.^[6]