Vicki Marble

Biography

Marble was raised in a ranching family that bred horses and livestock. As a child, she was involved in outdoor activities - her father was one of the founders of Kampgrounds of America during the early 1960s. Early in life, Marble became interested in agriculture, and participated in the Pro Rodeo. She developed barrel racing skills and became a nationally ranked Pro Rodeo Barrel Racer. During her rodeo career, Marble also raised two sons, and has managed her own businesses since.

Prior to her legislative career, Marble served on the Larimer County Rural Land Use Board as well as the 8th Judicial District Performance Commission.

Marble owns and maintains two businesses in the bail bonds industry and a liquor store in the Fort Collins area. Marble has two sons, one a former U.S. Marine.

2012 election

In 2012, Marble ran for election to the Colorado State Senate for Senate District 23. Her candidacy was endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, Ken Buck, Dick Morris, State Senator Tim Neville, former Senator Dave Schultheis, and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.

2012 Republican Primary

Marble soundly defeated former State Rep. Glen Vaad for the Republican primary nomination.

2012 General Election

In the November General Election, Marble faced Democrat Lee Kemp, winning the election with 56.20% of the vote.

Education

Senator Marble serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Committee.

Senator Marble introduced her "Mom's Bill" in 2014. This bill would postpone statewide tests for a year pending a review of the standards. Marble emphasized the importance of a communities education be left to parents and local government.

Local Government

Senator Marble serves as the Chair for Local Government Committee

Racial comments

On August 21, 2013, at an Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force meeting at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver chaired by State Sen. John Kefalas, Marble ignited controversy and Democratic criticism when she gave a speech that included extensive comments on the eating habits of various minority groups.

"When you look at life expectancy, there are problems in the black race: sickle-cell anemia is something that comes up, diabetes is something that’s prevalent in the genetic makeup and you just can’t help it," Marble said. "Although I’ve got to say, I’ve never had better BBQ and better chicken and ate better in my life than when you go down south and you — I love it."

Further, Marble commented that "Mexicans eat vegetables in Mexico but stop eating healthily when they immigrate to the United States."

Fellow state legislator Rhonda Fields, an African-American and Democrat from Aurora, Colorado was also present, and criticized Marble's comments.

"The title for this committee is the Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force; and one of the things I will not tolerate is racist and insensitive comments about African Americans, the color of their skin. You mentioned what we eat — I was highly offended by your remarks," Fields said, addressing Marble directly.

Marble then released a statement clarifying her remarks:

"My comments were not meant to be disparaging to any community," she said. "I am saddened they were taken in that regard. I take my responsibility seriously and I hope our work on this committee will offer real solutions to the health and financial challenges of our vulnerable populations."

The Denver Post editorial board described Marble's comments as, "... finger-lickin' stupid."

In comments to the press, Ryan Call, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party distanced the party from Marble's comments. "Sen. Marble's careless comments do not reflect the views of Republicans," he said. A prominent pro-Republican and conservative political blog, Colorado Peak Politics, said, "Marble is the latest legislator to join what might be kindly dubbed the "legislative moron caucus" after an ignorant and offensive soliloquy about race and diet."

In an interview with the Fort Collins Coloradoan, Marble remained "unapologetic."