AURORA, Colo. — The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) has named Congressman Gabe Evans the recipient of the 2026 Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and advocacy on behalf of Colorado agriculture and livestock producers.
Congressman Evans currently serves Colorado’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing most of Adams County, Weld County north to and including Greeley, and part of Larimer County, including Berthoud. Throughout his public service career, Evans has been a strong advocate for rural communities and Colorado agriculture, particularly on issues impacting the livestock industry and agricultural workforce.
“It takes leaders in all positions to ensure that agriculture can thrive into the next generation,” said Kory Kessinger, President of the Colorado Livestock Association. “Congressman Gabe Evans is one of those leaders, fighting the good fight on behalf of Colorado livestock producers in DC. From the State House to the halls of Congress, Congressman Evans has been an advocate for our industry. His work on ag labor during his time in Congress has been a critical effort, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside him to effect positive changes for the agriculture industry.”
Prior to serving in Congress, Evans served in the U.S. Army and the Colorado Army National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot and company commander. During his 12 years of military service, he completed a combat deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and ultimately attained the rank of Captain.
In the Colorado Army National Guard, Evans was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, where he responded to wildfires and search-and-rescue operations throughout Colorado. In 2011, he joined the Arvada Police Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant before retiring to run for public office in 2022. That same year, he was elected to represent Colorado House District 48 before being elected to Congress in 2024.
“I’ve had the privilege to know and work with Congressman Evans for many years now,” said Travis Grant, CEO of the Colorado Livestock Association. “The Colorado agriculture industry is improved by having an advocate like him working on our behalf every day. I have never known the Congressman to be one who would back down from a fight, and that has shown on his push for an ag labor solution. Even when it hasn’t been popular, he has been willing to have tough conversations, hear from his constituents, and advocate for a long-overdue solution to many of the labor obstacles we face. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Evans to address the many future challenges the industry faces, and I am pleased to know that we have his unwavering support for Colorado producers.”
A Colorado native and the grandson of Mexican immigrants, Evans and his wife, Anne, own and operate a family farm in southern Weld County, where they are raising their two sons.
The Colorado Livestock Association’s Legislator of the Year Award recognizes elected officials who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to Colorado’s livestock producers and agricultural community.
