(Colorado Newsline) Democratic Rep. Said Sharbini has announced that he will resign from the Colorado House of Representatives at the end of this year, just before the start of his second year of lawmaking.

He cited “financial strain” as the primary reason for stepping down, which was first reported by Colorado Politics.

“The compensation offered for the responsibilities and commitments of this role has not been commensurate with the cost of living and my family’s financial needs,” he wrote in his letter to Chief Clerk Robin Jones. “This is a common problem for many legislators and creates a prohibitive environment for voices to be heard. Representation is held by those with the means to sustain themselves, and that has quickly become something I can no longer do.”

Sharbini is a lawyer.

The state Legislature is part-time, and lawmakers earn less than $44,000 per year. Many contend that the true work, however, is year-round with interim committees, district events and meetings with stakeholders for legislation.

Sharbini, who lives in Brighton, was first elected to represent House District 31 in 2022. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary to replace Yadira Caraveo, who now represents Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.

He sponsored successful legislation this year around admissibility standards for statements made by minors in court and online payment for marijuana sales.

He is the second Democratic representative to resign this month, after former Rep. Ruby Dickson’s resignation announcement following a special session in November. Dickson was also a freshman lawmaker.

Both cited a tense political work environment as a reason for leaving.

“The environment has become characterized by vitriol and a lack of collegial behavior. The polarized and contentious atmosphere has hindered constructive dialogue. This has made it increasingly challenging to effectively serve the constituents and fulfill the duties of this esteemed office,” he wrote, without naming specific incidents or colleagues.

There has been a collection of tense or stressful moments in the House this year. Leadership began regularly invoking a time limit on bill debate, fueling frustration among Republicans, who in protest walked out of the chamber on the last day of the regular session. Also on the last day of the regular session, various Democrats confronted leadership during an emotional caucus meeting over how they were running the chamber. And during the recent special session on property taxes, work stalled as Rep. Elisabeth Epps joined activists in the gallery and shouted at Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg over the Israel-Hamas war.

“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,” Sharbini wrote.

In a statement, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said it was a “joy” to serve alongside Sharbini.

“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,” she said.

A vacancy committee comprising House District 31 Democrats will need to meet to pick a replacement for Sharbini. A committee to replace Dickson is meeting on Jan. 3, one week before the Legislature reconvenes for the 2024 lawmaking term.

Once Sharbini and Dickson are replaced, there will be 29 sitting Colorado lawmakers who were at some point appointed by a vacancy committee.

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