Colorado Legislative Strategies Updates 9.8.23

COLORADO LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES NEWSLETTER
 
September 8, 2023

(Drumroll) And the new Senate Majority Leader is… Robert Rodriguez!
 
The Senate Democrats gathered in the Capitol on Friday morning for the election of the new Majority Leader. First, President Pro Tem James Coleman nominated, and Senator Faith Winter seconded, Assistant Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez. Second, Caucus Chair Janet Buckner nominated, and Senator Chris Hansen seconded, Senator Rachel Zenzinger. 
 
In the weeks leading up to the vote, much of the discussion and rumors centered around a race between Zenzinger and Winter for Majority Leader. Rodriguez was always in the race but seen as more of a dark horse. There was even an effort behind the scenes to bring in Buckner as a fourth candidate. But in the end, Winter threw her support to Rodrigez and sealed his victory. 
 
The ascension to Majority Leader then opened up the role of Assistant Majority Leader. For this race, new Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez nominated, and Senator Kevin Priola second, Senator Faith Winter. Senator Rachel Zenzinger nominated, and Senator Joann Ginal seconded, Senator (and former Assistant Majority Leader) Rhonda Fields.
 
(Drumroll) And the new Senate Assistant Majority Leader is… Faith Winter!
 
Watch out for some potential committee changes in the wake of this election. New Majority Leader Rodriguez will be vacating the Chair of the Business, Labor, and Technology Committee and opening up that role. Additionally, the Democrats who just selected the new Majority Leader represent over 65 percent of the Senate chamber and actually have room to increase some of the committee margins for the 2024 session if they choose, and that decision/power rests with the new Majority Leader.