Ruben A. Valdez

Ruben A. Valdez
46th Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
In office January 7, 1975 – January 5, 1977
Preceded by	John Fuhr
Succeeded by	Ronald H. Strahle
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
In office 1971 – January 3, 1979
Preceded by	Ben Klein
Succeeded by	Federico Peña
Constituency	2nd district (1971–1973) 5th district (1973–1979)
Personal details
Born	Ruben Adolfo Valdez (1937-01-27)January 27, 1937 Trinidad, Colorado, U.S.
Died	October 1, 2019(2019-10-01) (aged 82)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Virginia Segura
Children	3
Education	Loretto Heights University
Signature

Ruben Adolfo Valdez (January 27, 1937 – October 1, 2019) was an American politician who served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1970 to 1978, and as its Speaker from 1975 to 1976.

Born in Trinidad, Colorado, Valdez dropped out of high school due to his family's poor financial situation and worked in a brickyard. He was a member of the United Steelworkers and served as shop steward and president for his locals. After earning a General Educational Development he studied at Red Rocks Community College and Loretto Heights University.

Valdez was elected to the state house in 1970, and served as chair of the Democratic caucus, speaker, and minority leader during his tenure. He was a delegate to the 1976 and 1984 Democratic National Conventions. After a failed campaign for lieutenant governor in 1978, he was appointed to a position in the United States Department of Transportation by President Jimmy Carter and as director of the Social Services and Labor and Employment departments by Governor Richard Lamm.