by George Gramlich
San Luis Valley native, Cleave Simpson, was gracious enough to visit the Sentinel last Friday along with our current Colorado Senate District 35 Senator, Larry Crowder. This is Larry’s last year as he is term limited. Running to replace him is 4th generation Colorado rancher/farmer, and lifelong Republican, Cleave Simpson.
Cleave has had quite the career so far. Born in the San Luis Valley, Cleave grew up on a large ranch. After graduating from Alamosa High School in 1979 he attended the Colorado School of Mines and obtained a B.S. in Mining. He then went to work for nearly two decades in surface coal mines in Texas and Australia primarily in management. He oversaw large, complex projects involving hundreds of workers. Often in very difficult situations.
Finally returning to the San Luis Valley he resumed ranching/
farming and getting involved in local community affairs. Cleave joined the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and eventually became the General Manager of the organization. He also serves as a representative on the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Inter Basin Compact Committee. Cleave is also a member of the Colorado Water Congress and has served on the Farm Service Agency County Committee and the Alamosa County Planning Commission.

In the education arena, Cleave served many years as a Trustee of the Board of Adams State University and eventually became Chairman of the Board.
Cleave is passionate about our Senate District and the various communities within it.
From a campaign statement: “I think District 35 needs a senator who is grounded and has life experiences in the communities and issues our rural areas face: prosperity and quality of life, challenges for agriculture, water demands, affordable quality healthcare, opioid impacts, rural education challenges, economic development, and the growing divide between rural and urban Colorado. My own experience is there is more that unites us than divides us. When we come together to find reasonable solutions, we can achieve a great deal. We all share the dream of a prosperous, secure future. Our communities are supported by healthy land and water management that supports productive agriculture, recreation, the environment and wildlife. We all want to provide quality education and career opportunities for the next generation. As state senator, I would work hard to help create that future for the citizens of this district and all of Colorado.”
Cleave wants to focus on agricultural/water issues, education and healthcare. On healthcare, Cleave feels the one model method for Colorado that the state politicians have been using is simply not working for rural Colorado and that must be addressed as soon as possible. Recent developments that also have motivated Cleave to run for the Senate seat include the new state Red Flag Law and the National Popular Vote ballot initiative. He said if Colorado goes the NPV route, we will never again have a voice in national elections.
Cleave has been happily married for 37 years to his high school sweetheart, Cathy.
Cleave Simpson is a man of impeccable credentials and achievements. He would be an excellent Senator for our Senate District 35. I know he’s got my vote.
Contact information:
Cell phone: 719-480-0548
Email: SimpsonforSenate35@gmail.com. Address: 6512 County Road 12 South, Alamosa CO 81101