Dianne Primavera

Dianne Primavera
US Department of Labor · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Dianne Primavera
Birth date	28 November 1950
Birth place	0 Aurora, Colorado
Office	49th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado
Term start	January 8, 2019
Governor	Jared Polis
Predecessor	Donna Lynne
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Tom Springer
Alma mater	Regis University

Dianne Primavera is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado since 2019. She previously represented districts in the Colorado House of Representatives and has been active in public health, public policy, and community organizations across the Denver metropolitan area and Aurora, Colorado. Primavera's career spans state legislation, local governance, and advocacy on issues such as healthcare reform, maternal health, and Alzheimer's disease initiatives.

Early life and education

Primavera was born in Aurora, Colorado and raised in the Denver metropolitan area, attending local schools before enrolling at Regis University, a private Jesuit institution in Denver. Her early life intersected with regional developments like the growth of the Denver International Airport era and the changing political landscape of Colorado during the late 20th century. Influences included civic leaders and statewide figures such as John Hickenlooper, Roy Romer, Wesley F. Sturtevant, and others active in Colorado politics as she pursued studies related to health and community service.

Early career and local politics

Primavera began her career in health services and nonprofit work in the Denver-area health sector, collaborating with institutions and initiatives connected to Children's Hospital Colorado, Saint Joseph Hospital, and regional health coalitions. Her local political involvement included roles with municipal and county bodies in Arapahoe County and civic organizations aligned with figures like Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman's predecessors and contemporaries. Primavera engaged with national networks linked to lawmakers such as Nancy Pelosi, Tom Harkin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and participated in advocacy that connected to federal programs overseen by agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Colorado legislative career

Primavera was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives and served multiple terms representing portions of Adams County and Arapahoe County including communities in Aurora, Colorado. During her tenure she worked on legislation touching on healthcare reform matters, disability services, and long-term care policy. She collaborated with prominent state legislators and governors such as Bill Ritter (Colorado politician), John Hickenlooper, Jared Polis, and Roy Romer on bipartisan and cross-agency initiatives. Primavera served on committees and coalitions that interacted with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and nonprofit partners like AARP, Alzheimer's Association, and patient advocacy groups. Her legislative work often referenced national debates and policy frameworks from entities including Congressional Budget Office, Kaiser Family Foundation, and federal legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid program reforms.

Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

Elected on a ticket with Jared Polis in 2018, Primavera assumed the role of Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and has overseen portfolios related to health, military and veteran affairs, behavioral health, and rural prosperity. In office she has coordinated with federal and state leaders including Governor Jared Polis, members of Congress such as Michael Bennet (politician), Cory Gardner, and state executive agencies like the Colorado Department of Public Safety and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Primavera has also represented Colorado at national forums alongside lieutenant governors from states including California, New York (state), Texas, and Washington (state), and engaged with organizations such as the National Lieutenant Governors Association and the National Governors Association.

Policy positions and initiatives

Primavera's priorities have emphasized healthcare access, mental health, Alzheimer's and dementia services, maternal and child health, and long-term care. She has advocated for state actions that align with federal programs such as Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, coordinated with advocacy groups like the Alzheimer's Association and March of Dimes, and engaged stakeholders including the Colorado Hospital Association, Children's Hospital Colorado, and behavioral health coalitions. Primavera worked on initiatives to improve veterans' services with partners like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, state veterans' organizations, and municipal veteran affairs offices, and participated in pandemic response efforts alongside the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional public health agencies. She has supported workforce development programs tied to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and higher education institutions such as the University of Colorado system, Colorado State University, and community colleges.

Personal life and health

Primavera is married to Tom Springer and has two adult children. She has been public about her family experiences with chronic illness, including relatives affected by Alzheimer's disease, which informed her advocacy and legislative priorities. Her personal health history, community ties in Aurora, Colorado and the Denver region, and engagement with organizations such as AARP and the Alzheimer's Association continue to shape her public service focus. She resides in the Denver-Aurora area and maintains connections with civic, health, and veterans' communities across Colorado.

Category:Lieutenant Governors of Colorado Category:Members of the Colorado House of Representatives Category:Regis University alumni Category:People from Aurora, Colorado Category:Colorado Democrats