Karlee Provenza


Karlee R. Provenza is an American politician serving as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the 45th district. Elected in November 2020, she assumed office on January 4, 2021.

Early life and education

Provenza was born in Pueblo, Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Arts in experimental psychology from the University of Wyoming. She earned a PhD in experimental psychology and law from the University of Wyoming.

Career

Provenza has worked as an instructor at the University of Wyoming since 2017. She has previously worked as a waitress, photographer, and private investigator.

Albany County for Proper Policing

In 2018, Robbie Ramirez was murdered when Derek Colling, Albany County sheriff's deputy, shot him following a traffic stop. In the wake of Ramirez's death, Karlee Provenza with other members of the Laramie community founded the organization Albany County for Proper Policing.

Trans Day of Visibility 2023

In response to Trans Day of Visibility, Provenza shared a social media post on her private social media account that said, "Auntie Fa Says Protect Trans Folks Against Fascists & Bigots!" The photo imposed with the words contains an older woman holding a scoped black rifle with an external magazine. A screenshot of Provenza's post was shared by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus on Twitter with the caption, "Not even one week after a radical transgender activist slaughtered 6 Christians, including 3 children, a Wyoming Legislator for HD45 shares a disgusting call for further violence. The Wyoming Legislature's House Minority Whip should be ashamed of herself." Provenza has stated that the accusations ascribed to her posts that she supports terrorism and intended to incite violence are false. She has since issued a statement of apology.
In response to Provenza's support of the Second Amendment in protection of trans people, the Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Frank Eathorne filed a formal complaint against Provenza, asking that the Speaker of the House, Albert Sommers, remove Provenza from her committee assignments. Speaker Sommers made a formal statement in his decision to dismiss the complaints filed against Provenza and she remains on the committees she was originally assigned to.

Legislation

2021

Sponsored
  • Vehicle insurance-anti stacking prohibition.
  • Wyoming minimum wage.
  • Expungement for restoration of rights.
  • Disclosure of peace officer recordings.
  • Law enforcement hiring practices.
Co-Sponsored
  • Journalists-privileged communications.
  • Election ballot order.
  • Medical treatment opportunity act.
  • Youthful offender program access.
  • Automated traffic law enforcement-prohibition.
  • Defend the guard act.
  • Regulation of marijuana.
  • Cosmetology and barbering practice amendments.
  • Eliminate fines and fees for juvenile offenders.
  • COVID-19 community response.
  • Workplace transparency act-2.

2022

Co-Sponsored

2023

Sponsored
  • Unlawful trespass signage-taking of wildlife.
  • Records available to POST.
  • Court appointed attorneys-fee prohibition for minors.
  • Carbon capture energy standards-repeal.
  • Ballot initiative process amendments.
  • Court ordered placement-child support.
  • Game and fish trespass-intent.
Co-Sponsored
  • School finance-average daily membership.
  • News source shield law.
  • Abortion amendments.
  • Volunteer firefighter pension-funding.
  • Traffic stops-probable cause.
  • K-12 post secondary education options.
  • K-12 education standards and assessments.
  • Education-K-12 food service program.
  • Defend the guard act.
  • Driver license penalties-time limit for imposition.
  • Prohibiting sexual relations with persons in police custody.
  • Restoration of voting rights-amendments.
  • Electronic records retention.
  • Natural resource funding-large project threshold increase.
  • Insurance coverage for hearing aids.
  • Restoration of civil rights.
  • Hazing.
  • Corner crossing-trespass exception.

2024

Sponsored
  • Peace officer standards and training commission-funding.
  • Freedom from government seizure act.
  • Decriminalization of cannabis.
Co-Sponsored
  • Reproductive Freedom Act.
  • Hathaway scholarship program.
  • Wyoming teacher shortage loan repayment program.
  • Defend the guard act.
  • Possession of alcohol-amendments.
  • Wyoming adult hearing aid program.
  • Concealed firearms-permit eligibility.

2025

Sponsored
  • Access to public lands-corner crossing.
  • Civil penalties for cannabis.
  • Credit reporting-medical debt.
  • Required hospital services.
Co-Sponsored
  • Senior citizen service districts-authorization and renewal.
  • Meat processors-composted materials.
  • Work allowance for voting.
  • Prohibition on gas chamber euthanasia of animals.
  • Reproductive Freedom Act.
  • Construction lien revisions.
  • Regulation of hemp.
  • Coroner investigations-disposition of decedent's property.
  • Braider opportunity act.
  • Establishment of a K-8 public lab school.