Tonya Van Beber Biography

Tonya Van Beber, former Colorado House Representative (House District 48), is a third-generation native of Colorado and Weld County who grew up on a farm in northern Weld County. Living in the Eaton, Evans, and Greeley areas of the county, she has experienced and is familiar with the various concerns and challenges from one of the largest and fastest-growing counties in the state. These life experiences have been instrumental in advocating for agriculture/ranching, education, family and community/business development.

Education and Early Career

As a 1989 graduate of Eaton High School, Tonya received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Social Sciences/Psychology. She then spent the next 10 years at the Greeley Tribune as a District Manager and as the Newspapers in Education Coordinator/Marketing Manager. From there, she owned and published two direct mail newspapers in Weld and Larimer counties.

Teaching Career

For 17 years, Tonya was blessed to teach at a charter school where her son and foster children attended and taught Reading Intervention, World and American History, Leadership, and 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens at University Schools. In addition, she provided educational consulting to schools around the nation in guided advisory (family and student-driven, whole child) and offered instructional coaching for educators in Weld County. Tonya received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a principal’s licensure from Regis University in Denver in 2013.

Political Career

As a graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies in 2018 and an involved community member in Weld County and the state of Colorado, Tonya held a position on the Weld County Council as an At-Large elected official, having been elected in November 2018.

As a former State of Colorado House Representative for House District 48, she served on the following committees:

• Energy & Environment
• Health & Insurance
• Interim Behavioral Health
• Early Childhood & School Readiness
• Commission on Higher Education
• Business & Labor Affairs
• Transportation and Local Government Affairs

She also served as the Co-Chair of the Children’s Caucus.

Advocacy and Community Involvement

As a mother, former host family member, foster parent, educator, business owner and twice elected representative at both the local and state level over the last three decades, her efforts  in Colorado have illuminated her advocacy and success in protecting school choice, foster care and adoption, constitutional rights, family and parental rights and academic excellence. These issues have been a focal point in her family, inside and outside of the classroom and the state capitol.

Tonya has volunteered with various community organizations, schools, and political groups that focus on America’s founding principles and how they can be applied to the challenges that communities face today. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Foster Source, a Colorado non-profit, and the National Foster Parent Association.

Awards and Recognition

• Leaders to Watch Award in Weld County
• Family, Faith & Freedom award from the Centennial Institute (both years in office)
• Common Sense in the Courtroom award from the Colorado Civil Justice League
• National Legislator of the Year 2022 from the EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security

Personal Life

Tonya and her husband Jeff have owned and operated Quality Excavating, based in Eaton, for the last two decades. Tonya has always resided in rural Weld County in the Eaton/Severance area, close to her family and beloved pets.