House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, a Republican from Wellington, announced this morning he will resign his leadership post effective at the end of the day, the culmination of attempts by colleagues to oust him after his drunk-driving arrest became public.  

A caucus election for his replacement will take place on Thursday at 8 a.m.

“I would like this to serve as a message to my fellow members to be careful and not get behind the wheel when impaired,” Lynch said.

“Please learn from my lesson,” Lynch said.

He did not apologize for failing to notify his caucus of the arrest or for the chaos that ensued after news of his arrest came out.

In a letter to the caucus, Lynch wrote, “Today, I share my decision to step down as Minority Leader today at the close of business. It is with a heavy heart that I make this decision, but I firmly believe that our caucus is stronger when we stand and fight together for the people of Colorado.”

“As I step aside from the role of Minority Leader, I do so with optimism and a deep sense of gratitude for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my tenure. I have full confidence in the abilities and commitment of our caucus members to carry on the important work we have started.”

Lynch, who is also a candidate for the 4th Congressional District, added he would work with the new leadership.

Lynch has been at the center of a firestorm since last week, when reports broke of his arrest in late September 2022 for driving under the influence, speeding and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

Barely six weeks later and after the unexpected death of Minority Leader Hugh McKean of Loveland, Lynch won the caucus election for minority leader.

A month later, he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and 15 months of probation, which ends in June.

He did not disclose he had been arrested, a sore point for Republicans who learned of the DUI incident when the story broke this year. 

On Monday and Tuesday this week, some members of the caucus sought a vote asking if Lynch should keep his leadership post.

The GOP caucus deadlocked, 9-9, with one member – Rep. Stephanie Luck of Penrose – not voting. She was excused that day, as she had recently given birth.

However, Reps. Scott Bottoms and Ken DeGraaf, both of Colorado Springs, said Luck was on the phone and ready to vote when the meeting came to a quick end. 

Tuesday, Bottoms called for another caucus meeting yesterday to hold another vote. Luck was ready to vote, he said.  

However, most of the caucus members refused to attend the meeting, and one lawmaker, Rep Rod Bockenfeld of Watkins, said he had been told not to go to the meeting.

Caucus chair Rep. Mary Bradfield of Colorado Springs told Bottoms he could call for a caucus meeting but did not have the authority to say where or when it would take place. That authority, Bradfield said, belongs to the caucus chair.

Minority Whip Rep. Richard Holtorf of Akron then met with Bradfield to resolve the impasse and reported back that the caucus would meet on Thursday morning.

That meeting will now be to select a new minority leader.

Rep. Rose Pugliese of Colorado Springs, the assistant minority leader, is believed to be the leading candidate for that position.