Personal Background

Abel J. Tapia grew up in the Bessemer area of Pueblo, Colorado.  He graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 1968.  After high school, Abel went on to pursue an applied Science Associates Degree from Southern Colorado State College (now Colorado State University at Pueblo).  He then earned his Civil Engineering degree from Colorado State University and did graduate work at the Graduate School of Business and J. F. K. School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Abel has three grown children: Sean, Sebastian and Leandra. He also has seven grandchildren: Joy, Johnny Abel, Paloma, Aurora, Raquel, Bianca, and Dagny. Sean is an architect who has joined his dad's firm. Sebastian passed the Colorado bar exam and is a Deputy District Attorney in Oregon. Abel's daughter, Leandra, is a systems engineer with a high tech firm in Longmont, on sabbatical leave to stay at home with her kids. 

After his education, Abel 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, Inc.  His 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 Businesses in Colorado by Colorado Biz Magazine.

In the early 90's, Abel began his career as an advocate for the Pueblo Community by running for Pueblo District 60 School Board.  During his time on the board, he helped shape progressive education policy for eight years.  From 1993 to 1995, Abel served as the board's Vice President and from 1995 to 1996 he served as President.  From 1997 to 1998, he dedicated his time to being chairman of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and to the Pueblo Area Council of Governments.

In 1998 and 2000, Abel ran and won the election for State Representative District #46.  He served on Legislative Council and the Finance and Appropriations Committees.  In 2000 he was also voted by his peers to be Democratic Caucus Chairman, and was selected "Freshman Legislator of the Year" in his first term

In 2002, Abel was elected as Colorado State Senator for District #3.  He was appointed to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Business Affairs, as well as the Capital Development Committee.  He enjoys his ability to help the people of Colorado and looks forward to the next legislative session.