DENVER ~ Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has appointed Maria Gonzalez to represent House District 32, filling the vacancy created by Manny Rutinel's resignation. The appointment is effective immediately, and Gonzalez will serve until the first regular session of the General Assembly after the 2026 general election convenes.

Polis said Gonzalez's appointment ensures Commerce City and Adams County have representation at the State Capitol if lawmakers need to act before the next General Assembly is sworn in next January. He described her as an active member of the Commerce City community with experience supporting small businesses, connecting people with jobs and building partnerships across Adams County.

Gonzalez said she was honored to represent her community and would work on behalf of her constituents and Colorado during the short-term appointment.

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Under state law, if a vacancy committee does not certify a selection within 30 days, the governor must make an appointment within five days of that failure, according to the announcement.

Gonzalez is the founder and CEO of Adelante Community Development, which works on economic development, entrepreneurship, workforce initiatives, advocacy and partnerships supporting entrepreneurs across Colorado. She previously founded and operated Gonzalez Insurance Group and held leadership roles with the City of Commerce City and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The announcement said Gonzalez helped advance policies supporting small businesses, including two Colorado state bills. She received the 2026 Latinas First Foundation Unsung Heroine Award and was named one of the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2025.

She holds a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has completed executive education programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Kennedy School and the Berkeley Haas School of Business.

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