Colorado Legislative Strategies Updates 9.1.23

COLORADO LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES NEWSLETTER
 
September 1, 2023

​Happy Labor Day weekend! Here’s a quick update on some new legislative appointments:
 
House District 4
Tim Hernández was appointed to fill a vacancy in House District 4, following the resignation of Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez after her election to the Denver City Council. Hernández is a teacher, community organizer, and progressive Democrat who self-identifies as a Democratic Socialist. Hernández won on the first ballot of voting and has indicated that his policy goals will include addressing public education funding, gun violence prevention, law enforcement reform, and affordable housing.
 
Senate District 21
Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet was appointed to fill a vacancy in Senate District 21, which was former Majority Leader Dominick Moreno’s seat. Moreno recently resigned from the state Senate to pursue an opportunity in Denver Mayor Johnston’s administration. Michaelson Jenet was nominated by Moreno and won on the first ballot of voting. Now in the Senate, she intends to continue the work that she has championed during her seven years in the House. 
 
House District 32
The game of legislative musical chairs is back as there will now be a vacancy appointment to replace Senator-elect Michaelson Jenet. Only one candidate has so far filed for the seat in the 2024 election; Manny Rutinel, formerly an environmental lawyer for EarthJustice who is now CEO and co-founder of Climate Refarm. Rutinel said he intends to run for the vacancy, and, if elected, will focus on protecting the environment, advocating for working families, addressing the housing affordability crisis and improving public health and safety.
 
Watch out for more vacancy news as we approach the 2024 legislative session. 
 
Lastly, Senator Kevin Van Winkle recently made it official that he will be running for Douglas County Commissioner in the 2024 election. If he wins then there will be a vacancy in Senate District 30 before the 2025 legislative session. 
 
Have a good Labor Day weekend!