Abel Tapia
Encyclopedia
Abel J. Tapia is a Democratic
member of the Colorado Senate, representing the 3rd District since 2002. Previously he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997.
Associates Degree from Southern Colorado State College (now Colorado State University-Pueblo). He then earned his Civil Engineering
Degree from Colorado State University
and did some graduate work at the Graduate School of Business and John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
in Cambridge
, Massachusetts
.
After his education, Tapia worked in several capacities including Assistant Chief Mining Engineer for 11 years at the CF&I Steel Corporation. In 1985, he founded Abel Engineering Professionals. This engineering and surveying firm has a reputation for excellence that has been unmatched in Southern Colorado. It was listed as one of the Top 100 Minority Owned Businesses in 2000 and in the Top 250 Small Business in Colorado-by-Colorado Biz Magazine.
In the early 90’s, Tapia began his political career as an advocate for the Pueblo Community by running for Pueblo School District 60 School Board. From 1997 to 1998, he dedicated his time to being chairman of the Greater Pueblo of Commerce Board of Directors and to the Pueblo Area Council of Governments.
In 1998 and 2000, Tapia ran and won the election for State Representative District #46. He served on the Legislative Council and as Democratic Caucus Chairman, in addition to Latino Caucus Chairman. He also served on the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Currently Tapia is completing his eighth year in the State Senate. He serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee
and serves on the Joint Budget Committee.
Tapia is the senior member in the State Senate and also serves as an executive member on the National Committee of Hispanic Caucus Chairs.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Colorado Senate, representing the 3rd District since 2002. Previously he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997.
Biography
Abel J. Tapia is a first generation college student. He earned his Applied ScienceApplied science
Applied science is the application of scientific knowledge transferred into a physical environment. Examples include testing a theoretical model through the use of formal science or solving a practical problem through the use of natural science....
Associates Degree from Southern Colorado State College (now Colorado State University-Pueblo). He then earned his Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
Degree from Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
and did some graduate work at the Graduate School of Business and John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
After his education, Tapia worked in several capacities including Assistant Chief Mining Engineer for 11 years at the CF&I Steel Corporation. In 1985, he founded Abel Engineering Professionals. This engineering and surveying firm has a reputation for excellence that has been unmatched in Southern Colorado. It was listed as one of the Top 100 Minority Owned Businesses in 2000 and in the Top 250 Small Business in Colorado-by-Colorado Biz Magazine.
In the early 90’s, Tapia began his political career as an advocate for the Pueblo Community by running for Pueblo School District 60 School Board. From 1997 to 1998, he dedicated his time to being chairman of the Greater Pueblo of Commerce Board of Directors and to the Pueblo Area Council of Governments.
In 1998 and 2000, Tapia ran and won the election for State Representative District #46. He served on the Legislative Council and as Democratic Caucus Chairman, in addition to Latino Caucus Chairman. He also served on the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Currently Tapia is completing his eighth year in the State Senate. He serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee
Appropriations Committee
In the United States government, the Appropriations Committee can refer to either:* the United States House Committee on Appropriations* the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations...
and serves on the Joint Budget Committee.
Tapia is the senior member in the State Senate and also serves as an executive member on the National Committee of Hispanic Caucus Chairs.
External links
- Colorado State Senate Democratic Majority
- Senator Tapia's Site
- Colorado General Assembly - Abel Tapia official government website
- Follow the Money - Abel J Tapia