Since assuming office in 2015, Senator Kerry Donovan has succeeded in her efforts to work beyond party lines while advocating for the Central Mountain Region of Colorado. Known in the Senate as being detail-oriented and a creative problem-solver, she has focused on advocating for public lands, bridging the rural-digital divide, and leveling the playing field for all Coloradans. She was recognized as the 2015 Legislator of the Year by Colorado Community College System. Donovan, born and raised in Vail, Colorado, attended the University of Notre Dame earning a Bachelor of Science, pre-professional degree with a focus on anthropology. Kerry runs her family ranch just up the road from Edwards. The Donovan family has owned Copper Bar Ranch since the early 1980s, although the land's history extends back to the Homestead Act. The Copper Bar Ranch is a small business that is focused on proven homesteading practices. Donovan raises Highland Cattle, has a number of garden plots that produce vegetables for area restaurants, a noisy flock of chickens, as well as horses and mules and lastly, her dog Gary, rounds out the ranch. Kerry has served a term on the VailTown Council. While on town council, she has focused on conservation, historic character preservation, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth. She was elected in 2009, and as a top vote-getter, won a four-year term. Previously, she has served on various other town commissions and on other non-profit boards. Kerry also volunteers for a variety of causes and groups. Her main volunteer focus is a group called the Talon Crew, which consists of hundreds of people who volunteer to put onthe world cup ski race in the Eagle Valley each winter.
In 2015, Donovan was elected into the Colorado State Senate. She was assigned to Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the Senate Local Government committee.
2019 Legislative Session
State Senator Kerry Donovan stated on the Senate floor that all three of the County Commissioners, and the Sheriff of Chaffee County wrote her a letter stating they were "not opposed" to HB2019-1177. She also claimed that none of them were pursuing "Second Amendment Sanctuary Status". The Sheriff has stated in public that Donovan totally misstated his position, that he is opposed to the bill, and is interested in having Chaffee County pursue such status.
