Cleave Simpson

Cleave Alan Simpson Jr. (born 1960/1961) is an American politician from Alamosa, Colorado. A Republican, Simpson represents Colorado State Senate District 6. Prior to the implementation of 2020 redistricting in 2023, Simpson represented the former Colorado State Senate District 35. He was elected as minority leader in June 2025.

Background Simpson is the general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and also served on the Adams State University Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2020. A native of the San Luis Valley, he is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher there. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1984.

Electoral history In the 2020 Republican primary election of Colorado's 35th Senate district, Simpson ran unopposed. In the 2020 general election, Simpson defeated his Democratic Party opponent, winning 60.12% of the vote.

Simpson ran for re-election in 2024. In the Republican primary election held June 25, 2024, he ran unopposed. In the general election held November 5, 2024, Simpson defeated Democratic candidate Vivian Smotherman, winning 55.91% of the total votes cast.