It has been represented by Democrat Sonya Jaquez Lewis since 2021, succeeding appointed Democrat Mike Foote, who chose not to seek re-election.

[3][4] District 17 is based in eastern Boulder County, southwestern Weld County, and northwestern Broomfield County, covering Lafayette, Longmont, and Erie.

[6] Colorado state senators are elected to staggered four-year terms; under normal circumstances, the 17th district holds elections in presidential years.

In 2018, Senator Matt Jones was elected to the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, and then-State Rep. Mike Foote was chosen to replace him in the Senate.

[7] Foote chose not to seek a full term in 2020, however, and his successor in the State House, Sonya Jaquez Lewis, ran instead.