Elisabeth Epps
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Elisabeth Epps
| birth_place = Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
| state_house = Colorado
| district = 6th
| term_start = January 9, 2023
| term_end = January 8, 2025
| predecessor = Steven Woodrow (redistricting)
| successor = Sean Camacho
| party = Democratic
| education = University of Virginia (JD)
| otherparty = Democratic Socialists of America
}}
Elisabeth Epps is an American activist and politician who served one term as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives representing the 6th district. Elected in November 2022, she assumed office on January 9, 2023 and left office on January 8, 2025.
Early life and education
Epps was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.{{Cite web |title=Bail Activist Jailed For Trying To Help When Cops Confronted Man In Mental Health Crisis |url=https://theappeal.org/bail-activist-jailed-for-trying-to-help-when-cops-confronted-man-in-mental-health-crisis/ |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=The Appeal |language=en-US}} She earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2009 |title=Law Student's Love for LSAT Helps Others Succeed |url=https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/2009_spr/epps.htm |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=University of Virginia School of Law }}
Career
Epps is the founder of the Colorado Freedom Fund, a non-profit bail fund organization that provides financial support to individuals who are unable to post bail.{{Cite web |title=Democrat Elisabeth Epps is handily leading the race for House District 6 |url=https://denverite.com/2022/11/08/colorado-house-district-6-results-elisabeth-epps/ |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Denverite }}{{Cite news |last=Kulish |first=Nicholas |date=June 25, 2020 |title=Bail Funds, Flush With Cash, Learn to ‘Grind Through This Horrible Process’ |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/business/bail-funds.html |access-date=January 10, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} She was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in November 2022 and assumed office on January 9, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Elisabeth Epps |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Elisabeth_Epps |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Ballotpedia }}
In the House District 6 Democratic primary held in June 2024, Epps was defeated by challenger Sean Camacho.{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Lanie Lee |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Sean Camacho ousts Elisabeth Epps in House District 6 primary |url=https://kdvr.com/news/politics/colorado-politics-news/sean-camacho-ousts-elisabeth-epps-in-house-district-6-primary/ |url-status=live |work=Fox 31 News |location=Denver |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629224811/https://kdvr.com/news/politics/colorado-politics-news/sean-camacho-ousts-elisabeth-epps-in-house-district-6-primary/ |archive-date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2024}}
She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.{{Cite web |url=https://inthesetimes.com/article/midterm-election-bernie-sanders-squad-left-progressive-ballot-measures |title=The Left Has a Lot to Celebrate After the Surprising Midterm Results |website=In These Times}}
Gun control
In 2023, Epps supported legislation that would ban assault weapons.{{cite web |title=Colorado Democratic lawmakers file "assault weapon" ban bill as gun groups promise legal action |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-democratic-lawmakers-file-assault-weapon-ban-bill/ |access-date=March 4, 2023 |ref=34}}
In 2024, Epps supported similar legislation that would ban assault weapons.{{cite web | title=Prohibit Certain Weapons Used in Mass Shootings |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1292|access-date=April 15, 2024 |ref=35}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epps, Elisabeth}}
Category:Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from Colorado
Category:Members of the Colorado House of Representatives
Category:Women state legislators in Colorado
Category:University of Virginia School of Law alumni
Category:Politicians from Denver
Category:Activists from Colorado
Category:People from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Category:African-American state legislators in Colorado
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:21st-century African-American politicians
Category:21st-century African-American women politicians
Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly