He served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, and the Colorado Senate, representing the 3rd District, from 2003 to 2010.
Tapia left the Senate when he was appointed director of the Colorado lottery.On March 28, 2014 Tapia announced he was launching a campaign for the Colorado's 3rd congressional district of the United States House of Representatives.
He was defeated by republican incumbent Scott Tipton.