2019 Legislative Session Kicks Off With Dems In Power

DENVER, CO – By Alex Burness for The Colorado Independent. Colorado’s 72nd legislative session, distinguished by a record number of women and Latinos in the ranks, kicked off Friday morning with a new, blue energy.

Voters in November ended Colorado’s politically divided legislature of last session by sweeping Democrats to historic victories, handing the party majorities in both the state House and Senate, as well as the Governor’s Mansion and all of Colorado’s other constitutional offices.

Milling about outside the Senate floor just before the 10 a.m. opening, lawmakers, staffers and citizens who’d rolled in for the show couldn’t contain their glee over Democrats’ newfound power.

“You ready for this?”

“I really can’t believe it!”

“Gonna have some fun, huh?”

When the election results were certified and the winners’ names were read one after another — “Jared Polis, Democrat; … Phil Weiser, Democrat,” and so on — gasping and chatter were audible in the House gallery, in a sign that many are still relishing the power shift.

READ MORE in The Colorado Independent

State Rep. Janice Rich, a Republican from Grand Junction, is seen giving a hug during a jubilant opening day at the Capitol. Rich is one of a record 45 women who were sworn into office in Colorado on Friday. (Photo by Alex Burness)