Barbara Hall McLachlan

Barbara Hall McLachlan

Democratic Party

Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Tenure

2017 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

7

Compensation

Base salary

43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021.

Per diem

For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $45/day. For legislators living more than 50 miles from the capitol: $237/day.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College

Graduate

Regis University

Other

University of California, Los Angeles

Personal

Profession

Journalist, teacher

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Barbara Hall McLachlan (Democratic Party) is a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, representing District 59. She assumed office on January 11, 2017. Her current term ends on January 8, 2025.

McLachlan (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado House of Representatives to represent District 59. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Hall McLachlan was born in Lakewood, Colorado. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Colorado State University, a bachelor's degree in English from Fort Lewis College, a master’s degree in learning and teaching from Regis University, and a certificate in college counseling from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her professional experience includes working as a journalist, teaching English and journalism at Durango High School, and working as a college consultant.

Committee assignments

2023-2024

McLachlan was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee
• House Education Committee, Chair

2021-2022

McLachlan was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee
• House Education Committee, Chair

2019-2020

McLachlan was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee
• House Education Committee, Chair

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Colorado committee assignments, 2017
• Education
• Transportation and Energy

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2024

Barbara Hall McLachlan was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

2022

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan defeated Shelli Shaw in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan (D)	56.8	26,436
		Shelli Shaw (R)	43.2	20,139

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 46,575
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan	100.0	7,372

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,372
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Shelli Shaw advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Shelli Shaw	100.0	11,664

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,664
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2020

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan defeated Marilyn Harris in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan (D)	55.4	29,524
		Marilyn Harris (R)	44.6	23,788

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 53,312
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan	100.0	13,516

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,516
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Marilyn Harris advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marilyn Harris	100.0	8,956

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,956
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan defeated Paul Jones in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan (D)	56.0	23,273
		Paul Jones (Independent)	44.0	18,273

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,546 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Barbara Hall McLachlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 59 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Hall McLachlan	100.0	8,059

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 8,059
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.

Barbara Hall McLachlan defeated incumbent J. Paul Brown in the Colorado House of Representatives District 59 general election.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 59 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Barbara Hall McLachlan	50.73%	23,336
	Republican	J. Paul Brown Incumbent	49.27%	22,661
Total Votes				45,997
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Barbara Hall McLachlan ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 59 Democratic primary.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 59 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Barbara Hall McLachlan  (unopposed)

Incumbent J. Paul Brown ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 59 Republican primary.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 59 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	J. Paul Brown Incumbent (unopposed)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Barbara Hall McLachlan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Barbara Hall McLachlan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

McLachlan's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“

Education: Colorado ranks 47th among states in per-pupil funding, and Western Slope schools are among the most poorly funded in the state. Environment: Barbara supports bold investments expanding our state’s investments in wind and solar energy, bringing new technologies online faster, attracting good paying jobs to Southwest Colorado, and lessening our dependence on foreign oil. Economy: Barbara will cut taxes for working and middle-class families. She supports making big corporations pay their fair share by closing loopholes and banning offshore tax shelters, and using the additional revenue generated to fund our local schools. Higher Education: Barbara will make sure Western Slope families can send their kids to college without taking on huge debt.

”

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Barbara Hall McLachlan campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Colorado House of Representatives District 59	Won general	$185,541	$180,024
2020	Colorado House of Representatives District 59	Won general	$138,698	N/A**
2018	Colorado House of Representatives District 59	Won general	$132,086	N/A**
2016	Colorado House of Representatives, District 59	Won	$167,535	N/A**
Grand total			$623,860	$180,024
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Colorado

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 8. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Cobalt Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBTQ+ issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Colorado Education Association: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes related to education reflection and on how well legislators worked with educators to advance the CEA's priorities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

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Colorado House of Representatives District 59

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Colorado House of Representatives District 59 2017-Present	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Colorado House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Julie McCluskie

Majority Leader:Monica Duran

Representatives

District 1

Javier Mabrey (D)

District 2

Steven Woodrow (D)

District 3

Meg Froelich (D)

District 4

Tim Hernández (D)

District 5

Alex Valdez (D)

District 6

Elisabeth Epps (D)

District 7

Jennifer Bacon (D)

District 8

Leslie Herod (D)

District 9

Emily Sirota (D)

District 10

Junie Joseph (D)

District 11

Karen McCormick (D)

District 12

Kyle Brown (D)

District 13

Julie McCluskie (D)

District 14

Rose Pugliese (R)

District 15

Scott Bottoms (R)

District 16

Stephanie Vigil (D)

District 17

Regina English (D)

District 18

Marc Snyder (D)

District 19

Jennifer Parenti (D)

District 20

Don Wilson (R)

District 21

Mary Bradfield (R)

District 22

Kenneth DeGraaf (R)

District 23

Monica Duran (D)

District 24

Lindsey Daugherty (D)

District 25

Tammy Story (D)

District 26

Meghan Lukens (D)

District 27

Brianna Titone (D)

District 28

Sheila Lieder (D)

District 29

Shannon Bird (D)

District 30

Christopher Kennedy (D)

District 31

Julia Marvin (D)

District 32

Manny Rutinel (D)

District 33

William Lindstedt (D)

District 34

Jenny Willford (D)

District 35

Lorena Garcia (D)

District 36

Mike Weissman (D)

District 37

Chad Clifford (D)

District 38

David Ortiz (D)

District 39

Brandi Bradley (R)

District 40

Naquetta Ricks (D)

District 41

Iman Jodeh (D)

District 42

Mandy Lindsay (D)

District 43

Robert Marshall (D)

District 44

Anthony Hartsook (R)

District 45

Lisa Frizell (R)

District 46

Tisha Mauro (D)

District 47

Ty Winter (R)

District 48

Gabe Evans (R)

District 49

Judy Amabile (D)

District 50

Mary Young (D)

District 51

Ron Weinberg (R)

District 52

Cathy Kipp (D)

District 53

Andrew Boesenecker (D)

District 54

Matt Soper (R)

District 55

Rick Taggart (R)

District 56

Rod Bockenfeld (R)

District 57

Elizabeth Velasco (D)

District 58

Marc Catlin (R)

District 59

Barbara McLachlan (D)

District 60

Stephanie Luck (R)

District 61

Eliza Hamrick (D)

District 62

Matthew Martinez (D)

District 63

Richard Holtorf (R)

District 64

Ryan Armagost (R)

District 65

Michael Lynch (R)

Democratic Party (46)

Republican Party (19)