Faith, family, and a profound respect for the nation’s Founding Fathers are what retiring Colorado Springs Republican Sen. Dave Schultheis says drive his politics and make him tick.  It is that credo that also has earned him a reputation as an outspoken and steadfast conservative, at times even outflanking his own caucus on hot-button issues. As he winds down the last of his 10 years in the General Assembly–having turned aside what by all accounts would have been easy re-election in his overwhelmingly Republican district–Schultheis exits as arguably one of the most  controversial members  to have served in the past decade. His tenure has earned him a reputation as a revered stalwart among many fellow conservatives but also a polarizing enigma to his Democratic detractors.

After reading about legislation in his local Colorado Springs newspaper that he felt strongly about, Schultheis entered the political arena in 2000, serving first in the House and then in the Senate for the past four years. He said he decided to run for office based on the guiding principles that the Republican Party rallies around – limited government and individual freedom–to see if the voters in his district would respond favorably. They did.

“Running for office was never something I ever intended to do,” said Schultheis.  “I was chosen on the basis of my conservative values and I will not waver.  I have to look in the mirror every night and say was I true to my beliefs and to my constituents.”

Prior to his political career, Schultheis found success in real estate and investment markets, allowing him to pursue public office along with the support of his family. Now, he says it is his devotion to his family that will lure him away from politics. He is retiring at the end of his current term in December, still four years shy of term limits.

It was his wife of 48 years who made the first overture toward his early retirement.

“My wife said, ‘I’d love to spend more time with you.  Would you consider not running for your fourth term?’ The way she said it really impacted me,” said Schultheis. “I have five grandchildren, and it hurts me a lot that I haven’t been as close to them as I could have.  That’s a sacrifice they’ve had to make, and now I’m doing my best to reconnect with them on an individual basis.  I love my family.”

In 2003 Schultheis began a weekly Bible study with a dozen or so legislators of both parties that is still well attended and going strong. Views on family and politics emanate from his faith, says the senator, who has on more than one occasion very openly and publicly stood out on social issues that have fostered his reputation as a lawmaker who doesn’t mind being perceived as an outlier. He made waves early in his legislative career, for example, by introducing an ultimately unsuccessful bill requiring a lengthier waiting period for divorce if couples had children.

“I see myself as strong and unwavering in my beliefs, and I’m willing to take whatever negative hits I get for them,” says Schultheis. “I’m known as–if not the most—then one of the most conservative legislators out there, and I take that as a badge of honor.”

Despite his strong views, some lawmakers in both parties speak fondly of Schultheis and say they appreciate his genuine and caring personality, which for them overshadows his political self.  Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Betty Boyd, of Lakewood, who has served with Schultheis on committees and started the same year as a fellow freshman legislator, said she considers Schultheis a friend although they rarely have agreed on issues.

“He was always a gentleman and just a really nice person to be around,” said Boyd. “I consider him to be a friend.  We disagreed agreeably, but on the rare occasions when we did agree, we would get a kick out of it.”

After his term ends, Schultheis says he plans on remaining involved in the political process through blogging and offering his support to Tea Party groups. Should there be a Republican governor this January—Schultheis remains a strong supporter of beleaguered Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes—he would like to offer his counsel over legislative matters to the governor’s office.

“I believe that conservative views are in the best interest of the state, and of the nation,” he said.  “Our Founding Fathers intended government to be very, very limited, allowing people to make their own choices, thereby maximizing freedom. I think we all want that in our lives.”

Perhaps his staunchest support is reserved for religious freedom although he is better known for his stances on illegal immigration, which he says is harming Colorado.  Schultheis says he is deeply troubled when religious freedoms are attacked in the public square and when the role of religion is downplayed, such as in the civil rights movement.

“What drove Martin Luther King was his faith in God inspiring him to lead a movement.  His message was about people, not about a special-interest group,” said Schultheis. “We are so divided by groups and that is totally in opposition to what our founding fathers ever wanted. They wanted us to look at each other as people, as individuals.”

Schultheis, known for his stand-alone “no” votes on the Senate floor, says he wants to be remembered for his time in the legislature as an individual who cared enough to say “no” when government tries to get in the way of individual freedom.  He says he approaches legislation with a “no” vote unless it can be proven to him that it should be a “yes” vote.   Schultheis dismisses notions that he dwells on “the far-right”.

“I’m misunderstood by the left, who twist what I say, and that’s unfortunate although I think most people see through that kind of stuff,” he said.  “When people are categorized it’s easy to like or hate them by putting them in a box.”

Schultheis readily admits that his colleagues have told him from time to time, “this is not a hill worth dying on,” but he says they also respect his stances, as do his Republican constituents who recently gave him a standing ovation at his county assembly.

“I say every hill is worth dying on,” maintains Schultheis. “Retreat is not an option.”

Leaving political office behind will be hard says Schultheis, but he knows he’s doing the right thing and is looking forward to the next chapter in his life.

“No regrets,” says Schultheis.