Married for forty-three years, mother of three sons, grandmother of five.

Registered Nurse for forty-two years, with a BS in Nursing and Healthcare Management.

Formerly employed as Director of Nursing at a long-term care facility specializing in the care of clients with behavior problems. Presently serves as a nursing consultant for long-term care.

Ms. Tochtrop was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004. A vacancy committee appointed her to the State Senate in 2004. She serves on the following Senate committees: Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources; Local Government; Business Affairs and Labor (vice chair).

During her first term in the House Ms. Tochtrop passed legislation increasing personal needs money for long-term Medicaid residents from $34 per month to $50 per month. She has also passed legislation to reduce license fees for retired nurses and continues to work diligently to fund funding for affordable, quality, accessible health care for all Colorado residents.

Ms. Tochtrop is an advocate for alternative care for seniors and worked with home health and assisted living agencies to procure increased funding to enable the elderly to remain independent. She is a strong advocate for affordable housing and is working with residents of mobile home parks to change Colorado's Mobile Home Park Act to favor homeowners over management.

Ms. Tochtrop's honors include:
Legislator of the Year, Colorado Senior Lobby, 1999
Certificate of Recognition AARP, 1999
Certificate of Appreciation, American Cancer Society, 1999
Certificate of Appreciation, Colorado Home Health Association, 2000
Colorado Nurse of the Year, District 23, 2000
Community Center Advocate Award,
Commemorative Award, Armenians of Colorado

Ms. Tochtrop is a strong advocate for quality public education; for good jobs that pay a living wage for Colorado's working men and women; and for quality environment.