DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado State Representative Ryan Armagost announced Monday that he would be vacating his Colorado House seat effective Sept. 1.
Armagost, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 64th House District, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in the 2022 election and won reelection in 2024 against candidate Richard Webster. The 64th district includes Greeley, Johnstown, Berthoud, Mead and Milliken.
The representative said that he accepted a professional opportunity in Arizona and will be relocating in the coming months, and said he would also be joining the board of a Second Amendment advocacy organization, “alongside a close friend and will be relocating his firearms training business to Arizona.”
He called it “an extremely tough but necessary decision” in a post on Facebook.
“As difficult as this decision is, it comes at a time when I must prioritize my life, health, and happiness,” said Representative Armagost. “I’ve been offered a fantastic professional opportunity in Arizona, and I’ve also met someone very special there. After a demanding year in Colorado, I’m ready to take this next step—both personally and professionally.”
This is the second major shakeup for Colorado’s GOP at the statehouse, as Colorado Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen resigned earlier in June. The Colorado Senate Republican Caucus elected Sen. Cleave Simpson of Alamosa to replace Lundeen about a week after the vacancy was announced.
Armagost said in his announcement of his departure that advocating for Second Amendment rights is a “core part” of who he is.
“Joining this organization’s leadership team gives me a renewed platform to fight for those rights on a national scale,” Armagost said in his announcement. “Moving my firearms training business to Arizona also gives me a fresh chance to grow and reach more people in a state where those values are strongly held.”
Armagost expressed regret about leaving “this fight” in Colorado behind.
“This has been one of the toughest legislative years I’ve ever seen. The flood of extreme legislation has tested our resolve, but I’m proud of the fight we put up and the voices we amplified. I deeply regret leaving this fight behind after my 47 years residing in Colorado, but I know it will continue with the many strong leaders still in place,” Armagost said.
He thanked the residents of House District 64 for their confidence in him and support through two elections.
Information on how the vacancy will be filled was not provided on Monday.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
