Barbara Jean Kirkmeyer, a Republican, is a member of the Colorado Senate representing District 23, covering parts of Weld and Larimer counties, having taken office on January 13, 2021. Born September 15, 1958, she was the Republican nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022, losing to Yadira Caraveo. She declined to seek that seat again in 2024, instead running for re-election to the state senate, and was a candidate in the 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election.