Sal worked on behalf of Southern Colorado for close to decade before becoming a state Representative.  Before running for office himself, Sal served as Director of U.S. Congressman John Salazar’s district offices across the state. In that capacity Sal Pace managed issues dear to Southern Colorado, including water, education, health care, job creation, transportation, Pinon Canon, renewable energy and economic development.

WORKING ON BEHALF OF PUEBLO

Sal Pace is a freshman in the State House, however his experience is extensive in the legislative process. Sal has been working on legislation and policy for the citizens of Pueblo for the better part of a decade as a chief aide in both the Colorado State House and in the US Congress.

Sal’s primary focus at the legislature is to help stimulate the economy and create new jobs in Pueblo.

PAST LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES

In Sal’s first session in the State House in 2009, the magazine 5280 named him one of the Top Freshmen to Watch. The popular political website, Coloradopols.com named Sal a Freshman of the Year, and their readers voted him the second best legislator in the entire General Assembly – as a Freshman!

Sal sponsored and passed several significant bills in his first session, including, HB 1317 the Pinon Canyon Protection Act , which placed new protections for the ranchers in Southeastern Colorado who fear forced removal off their ranches for the Army’s expansion plans.  Sal also sponsored two substantial water bills, including SB 141 creating the Fountain Creek Watershed District , to address flood control and water quality.  Sal also passed the largest reform of Colorado’s unemployment insurance laws, extending benefits & training programs – all paid for from the Federal stimulus.  In one bill, Sal created a pool of $15 million to give additional unemployment benefits to workers who get trained in high demand and green energy jobs.

COLORADO ROOTS

Sal is the youngest of nine children.  Sal has lived in Colorado his entire adult life, having moved to Southern Colorado as a teenager.

SAL’S EDUCATION

Sal went to college at Fort Lewis College in Durango, where he majored in Political Science and was active in student government.  As a student he was appointed to serve on the Presidential Search Committee to name the new college President at Fort Lewis College.

Sal followed up his Bachelor’s degree by going to graduate school at LSU, where he received a Master’s Degree in American Political Theory. Sal paid for his school costs by tutoring students and being a teaching assistant.

FAMILY

Sal is happily married to Marlene Valdez Pace. Both sides of Marlene’s family have lived in Southeastern Colorado for over a century, making Sal and Marlene’s boys at least 6th generation Southeastern Colorado natives.  Sal and Marlene live with their two small sons, Wyatt and Carlo, in central Pueblo. Wyatt wants to be a cowboy or firefighter when he grows up depending on the day.

Community Leadership:

• Former Organizer, Enable America, empowering the disabled community
• Member Sons of Italy of Southern Colorado
• Member Knights of Columbus
• Member, La Familia, Pueblo Italian organization
• Member, Pueblo Chicano Democratic Caucus
• Member, Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish

Experience in Education:

• Professor (adjunct), CSU-Pueblo
• Former Professor, American Government, Pueblo Community College-SW
• Pueblo City Schools (D60) Strategic Plan Core Team
• BA, Political Science Fort Lewis College, Durango
• MA, Political Science, LSU