October 11, 2011 08:47 PM UTC

State Sen. Mike Kopp Resigns

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• by: Colorado Pols

Republican Sen. Mike Kopp (SD-22, South Jefferson County), the Senate Minority Leader, announced his resignation this morning in order to spend more time with his family. Kopp’s wife, Kim, died late this summer after a long battle with cancer. From Fox 31/CW2:

“On the eve of an extended period of personal reflection concerning the road that lies ahead of my family and me, it has become apparent that I will be unable to devote the kind of quality attention necessary to serve the remaining three years of my senate term,” Kopp said in a letter to senate Secretary Cindi Markwell Tuesday morning.

Kopp was elected to the State Senate in November 2006. He served as the Senate Republican Caucus Chair from 2007 – 2010. He was elected Minority Leader at the end of the 2010 session after Josh Penry stepped aside.

In his letter, Kopp said he resigns with “a heavy heart.”

“The last five years have been among the most fulfilling for me,” Kopp said. ” I have truly enjoyed serving the people of Senate District 22 and all of Colorado. However, I must now dedicate my service to my four beautiful children.

Kopp was easily re-elected to a second term in 2010 in a heavily-Republican district. A Republican Party vacancy committee will determine his replacement.