State Rep. Said Sharbini, D-Brighton, a first-year lawmaker, announced Monday he is resigning effective Dec. 31.

Sharbini is the second first-year legislator to resign in recent weeks. Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Greenwood Village, announced on Dec. 1 she would resign, effective Dec. 11, citing a “vitriolic” environment in the state House.

A vacancy committee will choose Sharbini’s successor, who will become the 29th current lawmaker – out of 100 – to gain a seat in the legislature through the vacancy process.

Sharbini, who represents House District 31, is an attorney. He cited financial pressures as the major reason, but he, too, said the vitriol of the chamber is a factor. 

“In addition to the lack of compensation, the environment has become characterized by vitriol and a lack of collegial behavior. The polarized and contentious atmosphere has hindered constructive dialogue,” he said in his resignation letter. “This has made it increasingly challenging to effectively serve the constituents and fulfill the duties of this esteemed office.”

He added: “I truly hope those that continue on with this work take notice and begin to have more open and honest dialogue about future legislation and decorum in the chamber. This is a place that can generate great results for the people of Colorado.”

House Speaker Julie McCluskie of Dillon said Monday it has been a joy to serve alongside Sharbini: “I will miss his deep dedication to the people of Colorado and his critical voice at the Capitol. He has been a champion for his district and always stayed true to his values. I know he will continue working to improve the lives of people in our state with his enduring commitment to public service.”

House Majority Leader Monica Duran of Wheat Ridge added that she wishes Sharbini the best as he pursues the next chapter in his life.

“I am sincerely grateful for the kindness of character he brought to the legislature. As a member of the Latino caucus, his devotion to serving others and to protecting the rights of all Coloradans helped us pass better policies,” Duran said. “Representative Sharbini understood how tough our work could be, and his good humor made many days better – I’ll miss his presence very much.”

Elected in November 2022 to succeed Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who joined the U.S. House, Sharbini was a moderate voice on firearms issues. He voted against the bill setting up a three-day waiting period for purchasing firearms, positions he took in both the House Judiciary and House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committees. He also voted against the bill to require a minimum age of 21 for firearms purchases.

Both of those bills were signed into law. 

Sharbini was also one of three Democrats who voted in the House Judiciary Committee to kill a measure prohibiting assault weapons in Colorado. The bill died on a 6-7 vote.

But his legislation followed a more progressive line, focused on justice issues, with seven of his eight House bills earning the governor’s approval. That included measures on legal representation for parents of students with disabilities and hearing timelines for juvenile housed in adult facilities. The governor vetoed one Sharbini bill that called for creation of a task force that would study the costs of drug-related crimes.

Sharbini, who has Palestinian roots, took part in a pro-Palestinian rally on Nov. 9, when he said he is seeking a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel conflict. 

“Let’s work towards a peaceful solution because these are real people, real people suffering,” he said at the time.

Sharbini raised eyebrows on April 20 when he distributed business cards to his colleagues, promising to exchange those business cards in his office with a little 4/20 weed. He said the joke was meant to generate conversation around drug policy.

Meanwhile, a House District 37 Democratic vacancy committee will meet on Jan. 3, 2024 to replace Dickson.