Rep. Rod Bockenfeld Continues Cancer Fight
Colorado Rep. Rod Bockenfeld (R-Arapahoe County) is facing a new battle as he announced today that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
The news was first shared by House Minority Leader Rep. Mike Lynch (R-Wellington), who praised Bockenfeld's strength and asked for privacy for his colleague and his family during this difficult time.
The Colorado House Minority Caucus in the Capitol rotunda.
"Rod has been a fighter here in the Capitol and I know he will be a fighter as he battles cancer." said Minority Leader Mike Lynch (R-Wellington). "We are all praying for a quick and full recovery and ask everyone to respect him and his family's privacy during this trying time," Lynch added.
Bockenfeld has been a dedicated public servant, currently in his third term as a State Representative. He has served as the Ranking Member and sole House Republican on the Joint Finance Committee, demonstrating his deep knowledge and expertise in financial matters.
In one of the more memorable moments last session, State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld asked for SB23-189 “Increase Access to Reproductive Health Care” to be read at length. Rep. Bockenfeld was angry that a Democrat had just gone to well claiming Colorado was “a hateful state.”
Prior to his time in the state house, Bockenfeld served for 12 years as an Arapahoe County Commissioner. His commitment to conservative values and tireless advocacy for his constituents has earned him a reputation as a stalwart defender of their beliefs. He will continue to represent the citizens of House District 56 as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Bockenfeld earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University. He moved to Colorado in 1978 and began his professional career in the banking industry, becoming a financial crimes investigator.
Mike Rosser, board member of the High Line Canal Conservancy (left) and State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld (right) were happy to mingle with speaker Karl Rove (center) and support a former candidate in Joe O’Dea.
In addition to his work in banking, Bockenfeld also ran a successful home-based business for nine years before running for office. He was first elected as an Arapahoe County Commissioner in 2004, where he represented the rural area of the county for 12 years.
In 2019, he began serving his first term in the Colorado House of Representatives and was later elected by the House Republican caucus to serve on the Joint Budget Committee for the 74th General Assembly in 2023.
Bockenfeld has been happily married to his wife Susan for nearly four decades, and together they have raised five children and have eight grandchildren.
Rep. Rod Bockenfeld represents Adams, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, El Paso, Elbert, Kit Carson, and Lincoln Counties.
Though he enjoys spending time with his family and reading books on history and politics, his greatest passion lies in his work as a public servant. He currently serves on the Appropriations and Joint Budget Committees, using his expertise in financial matters to make informed decisions for the state of Colorado.
Minority Leader Rep. Mike Lynch closed with, “Representative Bockenfeld's dedication and commitment to his constituents, and his unwavering conservative values, will remain as strong as ever.”