Senate Democrats Leadership Election [Nov 05, 2026]

. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Senate Democrats Good morning to all 24 Senate Democrats As the current caucus chair soon to be former caucus chair, I will be kicking off today's Senate majority leadership elections. We will start with the election of Senate President, and the winner of that position will then take over for the remainder of the caucus elections. So I'm going to start by quickly going over the rules for today's leadership elections, and thank you to Ariana, our Chief of Staff, for getting this all in order for us.

The order of leadership elections that we will follow are President, Majority Leader, President Pro Tem, Assistant Majority Leader, WIP, caucus chair, and joint budget committee. Each candidate for a leadership position shall be nominated by one attending member. We do not do seconding in the Senate. The nominating member and candidate will have the opportunity to present to the caucus. Speeches shall not exceed eight minutes per candidate. The order of nominations will be chosen at random. Candidates are permitted to run for more than one position. For example, if a candidate runs for a position but is eliminated due to not receiving a majority of the vote, they may then put themselves forward for a subsequent race. Voting is anonymous and will be counted by staff. Details of vote counts will not be disclosed. We will go through each leadership position one by one, starting with nominations, voting, then the winner will be announced publicly. The following is the process for the positions of President, Majority Leader, President Pro Tem, Assistant Majority Leader, Whip, and Caucus Chair. After the nomination process, members will receive a paper to write down their chosen candidate. If a candidate is running unopposed for a position, this is what will happen. After the nomination and candidate speeches, we will ask the caucus whether anyone objects to a vote by acclamation. If no one objects, we will then ask whether the member shall be elected by acclamation, and if none object, the member shall be deemed elected to the position. If anyone does object, a vote will be taken. If a position has more than one candidate, the candidate that receives a simple majority of votes shall be deemed elected to that position. If no candidate receives a simple majority vote, the candidate receiving the fewest votes shall be eliminated from consideration, and another ballot shall be conducted until one candidate receives a majority. If there is a tie between candidates receiving the fewest votes, then such tied candidates shall be eliminated from consideration if the total votes cast for the tied candidates are less than the number of votes received by the candidate with the next highest number of votes. Otherwise, another ballot shall be conducted without eliminating any candidate. This process shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority vote. As was noted earlier, we have 24 members. Therefore, a majority vote is 13. Next, we have the process for the JBC, but I think I'll let the President go over that when we get to that point. So I'm sure people will need a reminder at that point. So with that, let's get started. Are there any nominations for the position of President of the Senate?

Let's do this. Thank you very much, Madam President Pro Tem. and I accept the nomination and want to say thank you so much to you all for being here today. It has been the honor of my life to serve this chamber and to be able to make it so that we can get good things done for the state of Colorado. Outside of what she said I think it's really important that we acknowledge the importance of tributes because I'm just joking. Yeah this is a write in for president right now. No, look, the only one thing that I would add is not so much about the particular role of the president, but it's more so how the person who is in the position leads. And I've been blessed to be in, walk in the shoes of other individuals who've come before me. And I think the most important thing is that if you are in a leadership position, no one should outwork you serving others. And the higher up you go in leadership, the greater the servant. And so I'm honored to accept this nomination and I humbly ask for your support for Senate President.

I move that President James Coleman be re-elected Senate President by acclamation.

Aye.

Thank you. We do have a tribute ready to go for me. I forgot to do that part. It's all good.

I'm honored, and we will move forward with the remainder of the elections.

If you nominating someone to run for majority leader please raise your hand Senator Judah Thank you Mr President and good morning everyone I have the pleasure of nominating Senator Weissman as the majority leader this morning. I've known Senator Weissman for over a decade, and he has not only become a mentor but a good friend, and I know this to be true for many people in the building. What he's continued to exemplify is his ability to reach across the aisle, problem solve, and make sure that the caucus can come together fully informed and make a decision that I think ultimately is what we need as a majority, in the majority leader. The ability to command the floor, to make sure that we are working together with the minority leader and that we will communicate clearly and effectively to the rest of the caucus so we all feel informed with what's going on, how we can move forward, and that we can do our jobs to the best of our ability. And I kindly ask for your support.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm proud to nominate Senator Dylan Roberts for the position of Majority Leader. To my speech now.

I've had the opportunity to serve on committees Dylan has chaired, and I have first-hand knowledge of the type of leader he is. He's calm, thoughtful, efficient, and fair. He makes sure everyone is heard, respects different perspectives, and knows how to get things done without creating unnecessary conflict. Dylan has helped shepherd in some of our biggest legislative accomplishments of the last several years, including the Colorado option, the nation's first insulin price cap, and historic investments in affordable housing. These were enormous fights, often against powerful lobbyists and very entrenched interests. He navigated them with respect, a coalition-building mindset, and a constant focus on the people we represent. Dylan also brings an important political mind and considerable campaign experience to this position. He's been through tough, competitive races himself, understands what it takes to build and defend a winning coalition, and knows how to balance the political realities of all of our different districts with our responsibilities to deliver results for Coloradans. That's particularly important because the next majority leader will oversee the Democratic Senate Campaign Fund. Looking forward to 28, we have several battleground seats, including mine, that we need to work hard to defend if we're going to maintain our majority. Dylan understands those challenges, has already been involved in fundraising and campaign strategy, and is prepared to bring that experience to the DSCF. What I'm looking for in a majority leader is someone who has our backs, someone ready to fight for our bold agenda, stand up for every member of this caucus, and support us on a daily basis. I appreciate Dylan's vision for a stronger, more organized caucus, a true partnership with the assistant majority leader, greater transparency and predictability in our schedule, and a committee process empowers our members to shape and improve legislation. He understands that the majority leader job is to be the chief advocate for this caucus. I also believe Dylan has the temperament and relationships to bring this caucus together. He understands that leadership means representing everyone, regardless of political ideology, geography, background, and making sure that every member has a seat at the table. Finally, Dylan is just a genuinely good, honorable man. He a committed husband and father a friend to people throughout this building He has the experience political understanding temperament commitment to lead this caucus forward It is my honor to nominate Dylan Roberts for Majority Leader

All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Thank you, Senator Judah, for your kind words this morning and, more importantly, for your human kindness over many years that we've known each other. The job of our Majority Leader is to help every member of this caucus succeed both individually and together so that we can deliver for the people of Colorado who sent us here. Today, I'm asking for your support to do that. The following words hung on the wall in my grandmother's house. Quote, life is action and passion. It is required of a man that he should share in the action and passion of his time at peril of being judged not to have lived. Oliver Wendell Holmes. I stared at those words often as a kid when I visited my grandparents. My grandmother was the social conscience in my family, and my mom followed in her steps, and I follow in both of their steps. The call to be involved in the demands of one's time drilled into my soul at an early age. It's why I ran for office in the first place. I believe it's why we all ran for office, to represent our diverse corners of Colorado. This week, the people of Colorado and our country spoke up with passion to say that they demand action to change the course this country has been on for the last two years. People are tired of policy that impoverishes them and gilds the gilded, tired of wars abroad and erosion of democracy and basic decency at home. Tuesday night, the voters said they trust us to start cleaning up the mess. We have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us, and we must rise to the challenge. In the ten years I've had the privilege to serve in this building, I've prime-sponsored close to 200 bills, big and small, partisan, bipartisan, and nearly unanimous, signed into law, referred to the people, amended to avoid a veto, and, yes, vetoed. I've run major amendments on bills to earn the necessary votes in committee or on the floor, or simply as a show of good faith to the minority caucus. I've celebrated big wins, felt the sting of big losses, and once, years ago, in the House, I even cried. I want to put all of that experience to work for all of us, for all of our bills as our majority leader. Also in those 10 years, I've engaged with organizations that we work with here to urge them to seek the energies of other members as well. Because it's not just about what any one of us does. It's about what we all get done together. I've done this because I want to help other members, especially newer members, develop their knowledge and relationships in this building and earn some wins. For eight of the ten years I've served here, I've chaired some tough committees. House Judiciary, Senate State Affairs, Senate Judiciary. During that time, I've managed full calendars, complex policy, tricky politics, deeply personal issues, and more than a few late nights. I've tried my utmost to do this with fairness, respect, and efficiency for majority members as well as minority caucus members and members of the public. I want to put all of that experience to work for all of us as our majority leader, to support all of our committees and our floor work, to achieve principled outcomes that our constituents want and need, and to do so efficiently. Last two years in particular, I have worked hard to respond to urgent needs and frankly desperate fears rooted in the community I here to serve When Trump would talk on national TV about Operation Aurora that was two years ago he was talking about my district The geo that we all know about is in my district. Aurora has been called the Ellis Island of the Plains, and as Trump has tried to snuff out the lamp beside the Golden Door, communities like mine have been brutally impacted. Now, the greatest needs arising out of my community aren't necessarily the greatest needs arising out of anyone else's. But because I know what it is like to go to bat hard for deeply pressing issues in my community, I can help other members of this caucus go to bat in your communities, too. Finally, over the course of the last 10 years, I've seen and lived the reality that life doesn't stop as we do our work here. Families begin or expand. Kids graduate. But sometimes tragedies strike. Sometimes we lose loved ones. Most of you know I lost my mom in the middle of the 24th session. so it's personal for me too. As our majority leader, I want to be there for members of this caucus, not just when session happens, but when life happens too, because as important as our positions as state senators are to all of us, we're human beings first. For a decade, this country has suffered, even when Biden was president, in the shadow of Trumpism. But Tuesday, the people said, no more. We'll be rid of the fear, the bigotry, the self-dealing. we will exit the valley of the shadow of Trumpism and begin the American experiment anew. As Dr. King said long ago, now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. I'm running to be our Senate Majority Leader to help us meet this moment. In closing, I've appreciated getting to know members of this caucus better this interim and to hear from constituents door to door in your districts as I've gone around the state. I've appreciated the time everyone has taken to talk through issues of real significance, how we work together, how we work with the new executive branch, how we tackle the biggest issues facing our state. Whatever happens today and whomever you choose to support in this contest, I'm grateful for all of that. I would also be grateful to have your support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much, Senator Snyder, for your kind words and your nomination. I'm proud to accept this nomination. And I want to thank my colleague and friend, Senator Weissman, for running a respectful race here. First of all, I hope everyone is feeling a little fired up after Tuesday night. I know I woke up yesterday with so much hope for our country, a feeling that I know many of us have not had in a very long time. I want to thank every member of this caucus who has taken time to talk with me over the past several months and weeks. I've appreciated the visits to many of your districts and the honest and candid conversations that we've had. They've reinforced for me why this is such an important moment for this caucus. We're entering a new chapter here at the Capitol. We're going to have a new governor, and following Tuesday's election, a 24-member Democratic supermajority in the Senate. That's an extraordinary opportunity and a tremendous responsibility. Voters have given us the privilege to take big swings, tackle Colorado's biggest challenges, and make people's lives better. I also want to welcome our new senators, those joining us from the House and everyone who has successfully defended their seat this election, and the members who helped all of us do that who are also returning. Each one of us brings such valuable experience, perspectives, and ideas. I want to make sure that you have a voice and a place in this caucus from day one. With this chance comes responsibility, however. We need a caucus that is organized, prepared, working together, and capable of turning our priorities into results. That's what I believe our next majority leader needs to help us accomplish. I want to start by sharing something personal because I think it connects to why all of us are here. I'm fortunate to represent the district where I grew up, where my parents and much of my family still live, and where I'm now raising my own kids. Being a dad has changed the way I think about this job. When I look at Teddy and Claire, I think about the Colorado we're leaving for them, and whether they and all of their peers across the state will be able to build a life here. But my reasons for being here also go back to my family and my little brother Murphy. His health struggles first inspired me to get involved in politics and work on Barack Obama's campaigns in 2008 and 2012. I saw firsthand how public policy and decisions made by people in positions of leadership and power could affect the lives of people we love. When my brother passed away suddenly in 2016, it changed my life in ways I still think about every day. It reinforced how short and precious life is, how important it is to spend our time doing something meaningful. And it's what propelled me to enter the legislature in 2018. So I walk into this building every day, carrying all of that with me, the family and community that shaped me, the brother I lost, and the two little kids I'm raising. And I know each of you brings your own experiences, inspirations, challenges, and hopes into this building every day, too. That's why we're here, not for the titles or politics, but because of the decisions we make matter to real people and the next generation of Coloradans. We've accomplished some extraordinary things together. I've been grateful to help lead huge progressive efforts like the Colorado option, the nation's first insulin price cap, historic affordable housing investments that have resulted in thousands of homes being constructed for working people and families, and important environmental and water protections. Those victories happened because members of this caucus built relationships, brought people together, and turned our shared values into meaningful policy. And we have so much more work to do. I believe the majority leader's first responsibility is to be the chief advocate for our caucus. While our president leads the entire Senate chamber, the majority leader must make sure our members, our Democratic members, have the support, preparation, and leadership they need to succeed. That means a genuine partnership with the assistant majority leader and an open door to every member. It means strengthening our committees, empowering chairs and vice chairs, and making sure we have the time to support, to work through disagreements, and make good bills better. Our focus should be on improving legislation, not finding reasons to defeat it before it gets a fair hearing. I also want to speak directly about something that many of us have felt. Our caucus has experienced real divisions. We can't move forward by pretending they aren't there. People have felt unheard. Trust has been strained. Those frustrations won't be fixed with a speech or a promise. They take time, relationships, and a willingness to listen, even when conversations are uncomfortable. I want to do that work for you. I don't believe unity means keeping quiet when we disagree. I'll make sure every member feels respected, included, and able to make their case on every bill, policy, and internal caucus discussion. One philosophy I've come back to during these conversations is that I know that all 24 of us agree on at least 95% of the issues we deal with. We should spend our time and energy pursuing that 95 rather than allowing that 5 where we disagree to fine us And that doesn mean backing away from our progressive values or compromising our principles I a proud Democrat and I believe we should be ambitious Over the next two years, we need to combine that ambition with the ability to deliver. We need leadership with the temperament, objectivity, and willingness to listen to all sides to bring us together, not drive us apart. And we need leadership that stands up for this branch, this floor, and the Senate Democrats against influences from the first floor, the lobby, or anyone else that seeks to stifle this caucus's shared priorities. I have done that, and I will continue to do that for you. I also believe our leadership should reflect the geographical diversity of the state we represent. We haven't had a Senate Majority Leader from outside the Denver-Boulder metro area since 2009. I bring eight sessions of committee chair experience, two years as your caucus chair, and firsthand experience representing one of Colorado's most competitive Senate districts. I'm also entering my final four years here at the legislature. This isn't a stepping stone to another office. I'm term limited, and I want to dedicate these final years that I have to serving this caucus, supporting every member, and helping prepare the next generation of Senate leaders. I don't have another primary or general election ahead of me. My focus will be entirely on this caucus and its success. We have a new governor, a 24-member supermajority, and voters who expect us to deliver. I want us to seize that opportunity, not as separate groups within a caucus, but as one team. And I don't need everyone to agree with me on every issue, but I do need every one of you to know that your majority leader will listen to you, respect you, stand up for you, and advocate for you. I will have your back. I believe we can be ambitious in our values, respectful of one another, and effective in delivering results. We don't have to choose between those things. I am so grateful to serve alongside all of you, and I would be honored to have your trust and the opportunity to help lead this caucus. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you Thank you.

If anybody would like to serenade us with a song of their own, I nominate Senator Exum.

Actually, I...

Thank you, Mr. President. It's my pleasure to nominate Senator Kyle Mullica. Kyle and I served in the House, and we sat next to each other for all four years in the Senate. and I've had a close view of how he works, how he prepares, how he treats other people, and also too close of how he dresses. Senator Mullica's experience has brought strong leadership to the committees he's chaired. He comes well prepared, keeps the discussion focused, and makes sure members have the opportunity to be heard. Senator Mullica knows our rules and understands how to apply them. when he's running a meeting, members can have confidence that he knows the process and will handle it fairly. He respects people's time. He knows how to keep things moving while still giving important questions and disagreements the tension they deserve. His leadership styles, he listens, he understands that good ideas can come through any member, and he treats his colleagues with respect even when they disagree. I'm nominating Senator Kyle Mullica for President Pro Tem because I trust his judgment I've seen his leadership and I know he'll take the responsibility seriously he'll serve this body well and I'm honored to nominate Senator Kyle Mullica for President Pro Tem thank you

for Pro Tem. And I will share a few words. What I would say is when I became Senate President, I was honored to have another individual be elected to Senate President Pro Tem. And that individual stepped away from office and it was right almost at the beginning of our session this year. And Senator Kipp stepped right into that position and led with integrity and did the work to make sure sure that whenever I wasn't able to be on the floor, she ran the floor. She also knows the rules in order to be able to do the work. Senator Kip and I have served together now both in the House and the Senate chambers. You know, I believe that she does a great job representing not only her district, but representing what leadership looks like within our chamber. She touched on one thing about me in her nomination speech, which was the importance of objectivity. And again, I want to reiterate that she does the work of making sure she represents her district. She votes how she votes. She debates how she debates. But at the same time, in leadership position, she did honor for this year that she has been pro tem the commitment of making sure that she listens to everybody, that she engages with everybody, that she visits with everyone, that she is accessible, and that she understands the importance of service. The last thing that I would say is I really appreciate the fact that she is somebody that When I make a phone call to her, she picks up the phone and she's available. And I believe she is that to all of you. When all of you call and ask for something, you might need some help. She's somebody that understands the process. She's worked well with our leadership team. And I'm excited to nominate her and encourage your support.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Senator Exum. You're right. we have served together in the House and we've sat next to each other the past four years in the Senate. And I have so much respect for you. And it means a lot to have your friendship and your support today. I love you, Tone. I also want to thank Senator Kipp for stepping up last session to serve as President Pro Tem after Senator Michelson-Jeney left. Taking on that responsibility in the middle of the session is a lot to ask. Senator Kipp, thank you for stepping up when the Senate needed you. And congratulations to everyone who won their races. You worked so hard for this, and I'm really happy for you. I love knocking doors with you up and down I-25 from Pueblo to Loveland, even if the construction meant leaving a day early to get to Senator Marchman's district. Seeing firsthand how much you care about your communities made those trips worth it, and I can't wait to serve with you and get stuff done. I'm honored to accept the nomination for President Pro Tem, and I'm asking for your support because I believe I can do this job well, and I understand the responsibility that comes with it. We have some big challenges before us this year. There will be difficult decisions, long debates, and days when people are frustrated. During those moments, it matters that the floor runs smoothly, and that whoever is presiding is prepared, knows the rules, and can keep a steady hand when things get difficult. That's what I would bring to this role. As a committee chair, I've worked to run meetings efficiently, give people a fair opportunity to be heard, and keep us focused on the work in front of us. I respect your time, and I know how much work each of you puts into getting a bill to the floor. We won't agree on every bill, but every member should have a fair opportunity to present their legislation, answer questions, and make their case. Whoever is presiding owes you a fair process and respect for your voice, regardless of where they stand on your bill. I also believe the President Pro Tem has a responsibility to the entire body. Working closely with the President is an important part of the job, and I would take that partnership seriously. So is being available and accountable to every member of this Senate. When you raise a question or concern with me, you can count on me to listen and give you a straight answer. We have an important agenda to accomplish. Keeping the floor running well gives us the time and space to work through our differences, make thoughtful decisions, and deliver for the people we represent. My approach is pretty straightforward. Come prepared, listen, be fair, and get the work done. And that's my commitment I'm making to you, and I'd be honored to have your support.

Thank you. And thank you to President Coleman for your kind words, and thank you to Senator Mullica for your kind words and for stepping up and running. I think it's important to give everybody a choice in all of these roles that we do our best to serve in. So the role of President Pro Tempor is what we all see is when the President Pro Tempor steps in for the President, when the President needs to go in to the well or introduce one of his many, many, many guests or tributes, or giving the president a break when he has been standing at the podium for extended amounts of time or stepping up for him as needed on the floor or coming back to help read bills across the desk when the president is unavailable due to the many demands on his time. I am here early every day and I am generally in the building all day, so I can make that happen. As I see the rest of the job that the president pro tem includes, checking in with the President to see if there is anything the Pro Tem can do to support the President in his role, and asking what the Pro Tem might be able to do to take something off of the President's plate, and seeing where the President might need assistance advice or an extra set of eyes and ears But one of the things that President Coleman said to me about the job of President and President Pro Tem that resonated with me the most is that it is our job to be the culture bearer for the chamber to pull people together, and to serve with a strong sense of conscience and ethics. I would like to help us do this. We are here to serve our communities and the people of the state of Colorado. We may or may not agree on individual policies, but I hope we can figure out how to move forward effectively together, to agree where we can, to disagree respectfully, and to understand that it is truly our diversity of backgrounds, experiences, knowledge, and beliefs that will make us stronger when we come together. I also want to mention that I think one of the most important things that the President Pro Tem can do, and really all of leadership needs to do, is to support every member in our caucus, and really every member in the chamber. And, you know, we in the Senate do not often get new members. But when we do, it is a rare thing, and we also need to do a really good job, and probably better job to support the people who have not served in the legislature before who come into our chamber. So welcome to our new members. And it's a challenging thing to step into this role where most of us have been here in the building for a while. But I think that part of our job as leadership is to make sure that all of us have the opportunity to shine. And you can hold me accountable for that. When it comes to running the chamber, it is important to have good relationships, not only with all the members of our Democratic caucus, but also with our Republican colleagues, and importantly, with our staff, both our Senate's majority staff and our nonpartisan staff. I have always worked to treat everyone with respect and kindness, and I believe the President pro tempore should help to bring a positive culture for everyone in the chamber, no matter their role. Another part of the job of the President pro tempore is to be a support and resource for all of you. Please don't hesitate to reach out. I will always get back to you, and I will always make time for you to talk,

Thank you, Senator Kipp. Any additional nominations? Seeing none, we will move now to the voting phase, and we will wait for our team to pass out the pieces of paper.

Thank you. Thank you. The next pro tem is Senator Kyle Mullica. Congratulations. The next leadership position that we will be electing is an individual for the position of Assistant Majority Leader. Are there any nominations? Senator Judah.

Thank you, Senator Judah. Are there any additional nominations for Assistant Majority Leader? Senator-elect Gutierrez.

Good morning, everyone. I've met a lot of you already during my campaign, but for those of you who don't know me, my name is Aaron Gutierrez, and I am a senator-elect for Senate District 3. Now, coming in as a freshman from Pueblo, my priority is simple, making sure our caucus stays united and actually delivers for working people. To that, the folks sitting in leadership can't just know how the building runs. They have to have the real backbone and look out for every member in this room. And that's why I'm nominating Monica Duran for assistant majority leader. Before I got into politics, I worked as a public defender. In that line of work, you learn pretty fast who just talks about justice and who actually shows up to do the hard, unglamorous work. Monica shows up. She ran the floor as House Majority Leader. She's taking the hits on tough votes, and she knows how to manage a room when tempers flare. More than that, her leadership is deeply personal. As a survivor herself, Monica has turned pain into purpose, standing up fearlessly for survivors of domestic violence and making sure victims have real protections and resources across the state. She has never lost touch with why she came to Denver in the first place to fight for working families, kids, and people who don't have high-paid lobbyists watching their back. Most importantly, Monica listens. whether you've been here 10 years or 10 days, whether you represent the metro area or southern Colorado, she makes sure you have a seat at the table. We've got a tough session ahead. We need steady hands, honest communication, and someone who has our backs every single day, and Monica is that leader. I am proud to nominate Monica Duran for assistant majority leader, and I ask for all of your support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, members. I'm so honored to speak with you all today and to see such a strong majority coming out. I also want to thank Majority Leader Duran for running. As she noted when she put her name in the hat, two frequently women and women of color and young women and working class women are asked to stand down and to not take on these roles and to wait their turn and I think coming out of this no matter what happens I'm so glad that there are strong women coming forward who are going to help lead our caucus and so I thank her for everything that she's done and for running today. I also know I was anxious putting my name in the hat a little bit because what it meant is that for the last five months I've been whipping your votes again and I know that I am also the person who does that a lot to you on the floor because I take on some of our hardest fights. And so I had some anxiety heading into this, but what I learned very quickly was that I was diving back into the work that I love the very most in this, which is coming to meet with each of you. It's going to your districts, it's meeting your families, it's going to the restaurants that you were raised in, it's knocking doors and talking to the constituents, and it's hearing what you want out of your role in this building and out of your assistant majority leader. And one of the things that I was reminded of most is that out of many unique individuals, we are one team. The job before us is big. It can be really intimidating. And we need folks who have been fighting for a long time to help make sure that we can get through those. And that's exactly what I've been doing. I started as an organizer at 20 years old, and then I walked into this building at 21 in 2013, again, when we were being recalled for our gun safety priorities. when we had a one-seat majority in the Senate. I know exactly what the history of this caucus is because I have helped to build it. And that is reflected not just in my years of organizing, but in the time that I spent with DSCF right before I was appointed to this seat, I was building our majorities. What I was so grateful to hear, I was so grateful for the opportunity this summer to hear your ideas of what this role can be. inside the building we know that the assistant majority leader has been an underutilized role i'm so grateful to majority leader roberts for all of the partnership and i look for in my time here so far and over our many years of friendship together and i look forward to partnering with him to make sure that the assistant majority leader role it is utilized to do what you all need it to That going to include strong communication It means we know what happening on the floor and in committee and there clarity in how we are communicating those things and when It means that there's flexibility for each of you when we need to move your bills up, back, forward, whatever we need to do. We know we need to do it a lot, and we need a partner with a majority leader who can help ensure that that's not just communicated through you, but by each of us to each of us. And we need to communicate through the differences that we have as a caucus. I was made a chair before too long here in this building of the State Affairs Committee, one of our hardest committees, a committee that takes on our most contentious issues and insists on difficult conversations, not just amongst our GOP colleagues, but amongst each other. And I've been able to take on that role because I knew each of you heading into this. We had strong established relationships and we could get through each of your priorities there and on the floor. I look forward to continuing that. We also need to set up a new member program in the Senate. I came in in the middle of a session with 47 days to figure it out. I think a lot of folks looked at me and said, you've been here before, you're going to do great, and kicked me on out the door and I was sent on my own. And that was fun, but also took a lot of effort, right? And we have a historic majority now. with these 24 seats. We also have a historic number of members who have never served in the house, do not know what it was to be over there, and don't really care because they're over here. So we need to make sure that those folks are given mentors and that they have a strong communicator who can empathize with that experience, having done it themselves. Finally, I want to note that we should be able to set our priorities as a group. That means communicating well with the majority leader, with the Joint Budget Committee, with our staff, and with all of the leaders being elected today to make sure that we know what we are doing and why. Our priorities have not been explicitly set out enough, and we can do better about that. Finally, I'm the first person on the floor. I'm one of the last to leave. I will reliably be there for you all. I know our rules, and I know what it is to chair. I want to say some of what I've heard from you all about your needs outside the building. I ran DSCF in a much worse year than this year, and I'm so glad that we have turned a new page in Colorado and that we're coming into these majorities, but I was helping flip seats when we were losing them in the state. And that's why I was made vice chair of DSCF again this year because I had everything from the previous year. I was the one who set that all up and I helped to make sure that we saw the successes. Each of you have made individual asks of me given that knowledge from when your finance reports are due or what needs to be included in them to if you're being recalled and if I can check every single day to see if you recalled, which I was happy to do, and to flipping, all the way to flipping your seats. I know this building inside out. I know this caucus inside out. And I will close in saying one of the first things that I learned as an organizer day one of President Obama's campaign was that if you feel alone, you are doing your job wrong. I want to make sure that none of you feel alone in this work and that I can be the ally and the partner that makes sure that happens. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much Senator Guterres for your support and your kind words I look forward to working with you Thank you to everyone here Appreciate the opportunity to step up into this position if so elected Six years in leadership have taught me something that no title ever could. Leadership is tested in the difficult conversations, the decisions that keep you awake at night, and the moments when your colleagues need you the most. I've experienced those moments. I've carried that responsibility, and I've learned that the measure of leadership isn't how much authority you hold. It's how you use it to serve the people who place their trust in you. I've spent eight years in the Colorado House, including six years in leadership. I've seen what happens when a caucus comes together, and I've seen how difficult it can be when we don't agree. And here's what I do know. The strongest leader isn't the one who gets everyone to follow them. It's the one who makes sure no one gets left behind. That's the leadership I have practiced. That's the experience I bring, and that's the commitment I make to each and every one of you today. Our diversity of political perspectives is not something we should simply tolerate. It is something we must respect, protect, and embrace. We represent different districts, different communities, and sometimes even different priorities. That diversity makes us stronger, and every member deserves leadership that recognizes and values that. And I also believe it matters who has a seat at the leadership table. Voices like mine, shaped by lived experience, by adversity, by communities that have too often gone unheard, belong in the rooms where decisions are made. I know what it means to fight to be heard, and I know the responsibility that comes with finally having that seat. It isn't simply to speak for myself. It is to make sure that the door stays open for others, that different perspectives are respected, and that no one has to fight twice as hard just to have their voice heard. That's the kind of leadership I've worked to build in the House, and that's exactly what I want to bring to the Senate. I'm not standing here to tell you what I hope I can do. I'm standing here with a proven record of what I've already done. I know what it means to put in the hours, have the difficult conversations, protect the interests of our members, and make sure no one feels that they are standing alone. I know how to lead, but just as importantly, I know how to listen. I'm not perfect, and I don't pretend to be, but I have always worked to lead with fairness, honesty, and transparency. We may not always agree, but we will always know, and you will always know where I stand, and you will always have the opportunity to be heard. And I want to be absolutely clear about the commitment I'm asking and I'm making to you. If I'm elected as Assistant Majority Leader, this caucus will be my priority, not my personal agenda, not my political ambitions, but just you. Your legislation matters. Your district matters. The people who sent you here matter. And whether your priorities are the same as mine or completely different, you deserve a leader who will take them seriously, fight to make sure you have the support you need, and never make you feel your voice matters less because we disagree. I will measure my success in this role by your success by the bills we help move forward the challenges we overcome together and whether every member of this caucus knows they have someone in leadership they can count on And that commitment includes standing beside our majority leader as a trusted partner. Having served as majority leader myself, I know firsthand that no one can do this job alone. I understand the weight of these decisions, the importance of having someone you can rely on, and the responsibility of keeping a caucus moving forward even when the path isn't easy. I will bring that experience to this role, and I will help shoulder that work, strengthen our partnership, and support the entire team. Because we don't have to think alike to stand together. We don't have to agree on every issue to respect one another. And we should never allow our differences to determine who receives support, whose concerns are heard or whose successes we celebrate. Whether you're carrying a difficult bill, navigating a challenge back home, or simply need someone who will pick up the phone and help you find a solution, I will be there. Not just when it's convenient, not just when we agree, and certainly not just when there's a vote on the line. I believe every person in this room brings something valuable to the table. Different experiences, different perspectives, different strengths, and different solutions. My responsibility will be to help bring those strengths together, because when we invest in each other, we strengthen the entire caucus. I don't need to be the loudest voice in the room. I want to make sure every voice in this room has the opportunity to be heard. And when the difficult days come, and I know they will, I want you to know exactly where I stand. with you, beside you, working with you. I'm not asking for this position because I need another title. I'm asking because I understand the responsibility that comes with it, and I'm ready to do the work. I've earned my experience. I've learned along the way also, and I've never forgotten, whose leadership we're supposed to serve. So today, I'm asking for your vote, I'm asking for your trust, and I'm asking for the opportunity to stand beside you as your assistant majority leader, not to advance my agenda, but to support yours, not to speak over you, but to make sure your voice is heard, and not simply to help us succeed as a caucus, but to make sure every member has the real opportunity to succeed. Because at the end of the day, this isn't about me. It's about you. It's about us, and it's about the kind of leadership we deserve. I'm ready to get to work, and I would be honored to earn your vote. And with that, I do accept the nomination for Assistant Majority Leader. Thank you.

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It is my honor and privilege to nominate Senator Judah as our whip. She has been a dear friend and colleague since she was first elected to the legislature in 2020. We all know her to be incredibly respected by everyone she has served with She is kind she is calm and her even keel and demeanor are a perfect fit for the role of whip And I know this because she's done the job. She was my whip in the house following the cool whip. And there is no doubt in my mind that Senator Judah will do a fantastic job for our caucus. We legislators can be a bit like herding cats, but I know that she will be able to keep tabs on us. She will be that kind person to approach you in your tensest moments when you're on the fence and you really don't know what it is you're going to do. She will not make you feel worse. She will make you feel better, but she will help each and every one of us in counting our votes, making sure that members are in the chamber and present. And I couldn't say more wonderful and positive things about my friend Senator Judah.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Alex Serrota. You know, on Wednesday morning, I looked over at my kids and I told my husband, I hope this is all they will ever know, and that this is a new dawn for them, and the America of yesterday is not the America of today. On that note, I also want to thank our caucus for continuing to support me, bringing my daughter as she commands the chamber, and now this little one. And I say that because I think it's indicative of our Cockett's values, is to support working mothers and to make sure that we are supporting those that need it when they need it. I really feel strongly about this job. and I know some may think, well, it's only whip and you take your paper around and you count the votes. But the reality is that our caucus is not a monolith and that's totally okay. But what I want to do in this position is make sure that I will be a bridge, that I can count those votes regardless of where you are on the political spectrum and say, we need to come together, we need to communicate, and we have to make sure that we're counting our votes correctly. So this role to me isn't just about counting those votes, about making sure, regardless of where we are, that we ultimately are coming together, voting, and making sure that we're making decisions on behalf of the people of Colorado and understand that that is ultimately why we are all here and that our shared vision for executing those values will be a priority for all of us. And with that, I ask for your vote.

Thank you. I move that we adopt or vote by acclamation for my friend and colleague, Senator Judah, to be our caucus whip. Is there any objection to a vote by acclamation?

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to nominate Senator Janice Marchman to the position of caucus chair. As I think many of us know, Janice is a consistent and strong force for good in this building and for her district. She has now twice flipped one of the most competitive districts in the state after many folks didn't think initially that she could. But she came with dedication and passion and heart that can only come from folks who truly love the community that they are serving. I got to see that firsthand a lot this past summer, and I've gotten to see it throughout my time here in the building. Janice shows up for her people. When mothers lost their daughters, when families lost their daughters, Janice didn't just take their phone call. She didn't just connect them with law enforcement. She went out with them, and she looked for their missing children. And then when she identified flaws in the system, she helped fix it. She worked alongside those families. She uplifted their voices. And she will do the exact same thing for each of us as our caucus chair. We each know there are really hard days in this building. There are really big fights each of us take on amongst each other, amongst the lobby, the organizations, our constituents. There's a lot of tough fights. And when I've had tough fights, Janice has been one of the first people that I have gone to to help feel grounded in the work, to help recenter on why we're here, to let some things go, and then to move forward with your day with a smile on your face. She's going to make sure that each of us are supported through everything that we need. I know she'll plan an absolutely stellar retreat for us. She'll upgrade our food and will really be the loving and caring presence that we each so much need from members of our leadership. And with that, it is my great honor to nominate my friend Janice Marchman.

Senator Marchman. Thank you so much. And thank you, Katie. I so appreciate that. I do accept the nomination for caucus chair. Every person up here has run to help people. That is what we have in common, and it's a really good place for us to start. But I want us to be a caucus where everyone knows how things work. Right now, a lot of politics runs on unwritten rules. Who gets heard? Who gets ahead? Who's expected to fall in line? New members, learn them alone. usually the hard way. I know I took my knocks. We can do better and we will start today. As caucus chair, I want transparency at the center of how we work. Every member should understand how decisions are made, have a voice in the ones that affect them, and be able to hold leadership accountable. Our caucus should be built on relationships. When we know each other well, we can raise a hard issue without first counting what it might cost us. We are a big tent. We keep talking about that. That's a strength But a tent needs stakes in the ground At our retreat we will name the priorities that we share and we will come back to them when we disagree as our North Star And we need to know who we owe We owe the working families who sent us here, not the corporations that can outspend them. To our new members, yes, you do not have to learn the unwritten rules alone. I'll help you. We will all help you. But please do ask. This room has no shortage of capable leaders. We have everything we need to lead ourselves. We didn't get elected to hand our power to each other or to outside interests. We were elected to use the power the people gave us to help them. As caucus chair, my job is to make sure every member has a voice in that work. I always ask hard questions, and I'll keep doing it. We'll bring things into the open. We're going to shine some light, and we're going to follow through. I'm not asking for a caucus where we always agree. I'm asking for one where we can disagree honestly, where no one has to guess whether they have a voice, and where it's not toxic. It's the honor of a lifetime to serve here with you. Let's leave this place, this moment, and each other better for having been together. Thank you for your trust.

Senator Weissman. Thank you. There having been no other nominations, I move that Janice Marchman, Senator Janice Marchman, be elected our caucus chair by acclamation. Is there any objection to a vote by acclamation?

And now we will move on to joint budget committee. And as I stated earlier, I'm going to lay out the process for the positions of Joint Budget Committee. Two members will be elected for the position of JBC. The Senate Dems will just be voting for the two positions to represent the Senate Democrats at the Joint Budget Committee. The election of Chair and Vice Chair of JBC and Chair of Appropriations will be voted on by the six newly elected and appointed JBC members per legislative rule and will not happen today. We will start with nominations for all candidates running for the position of JBC. The nomination process will be the same for all other leadership positions. After the nomination process, members will receive a paper to write down their chosen candidates. Voting will begin by voting for two candidates on one ballot. Two different names must be written on each member's ballot. You cannot vote for the same person twice. The votes will then be counted. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the caucus votes, they will secure one of the JBC seats. If two candidates clear 50% during the first vote, those will be the winners of the two JBC seats. If no candidate receives more than 50%, the lowest vote-getter will be dropped and a vote for two names will happen again. That process will continue until one candidate receives over 50%. Once one candidate has won one JBCC, we will proceed to another round of voting in which all remaining candidates, even if eliminated in the first round, are also eligible for votes. We will vote for one name. The votes will then be counted, and if no candidate receives a majority vote, the candidate receiving the fewest votes shall be eliminated for consideration, and another ballot shall be conducted until one candidate receives a majority of the votes. Thank you very much to our staff for writing that out and for sending that out a month ago so that we are all very clear on this process and how it will work. And so with that being said, we will begin the process of voting for JBC members. Are there any nominations for Joint Budget Committee?

Thank you very much, Senator. I slide next.

Additional nominations for JBC.

Thank you very much, Senator-elect.

We will now hear from our candidates, and we'll begin in the order that was received from the nominators, and we'll begin with Senator Ball.

Thank you very much, Senator Ball. Next up, we have Senator Alexirota.

Thank you, Senator-elect. Next up, Senator Benavides.

We have an embarrassment of riches, or so they say. I mean, we're lucky to have this incredibly talented group.

Following last year's Medicaid cuts, in which I think every member of the Joint Budget Committee went home and, if they didn't cry, they wanted to, we decided that we should stand up a committee to really help us take a deep dive into how that program works. So we set up the Medicaid commission. We have been meeting all through the interim, and we have been really digging in. And I had the privilege, have the privilege still, of chairing that commission. And that will help us make better decisions in this coming year. And I want to say thank you to Senator-elect Sirota, to Senator Mullica, and to Senator Bridges, and to the House members who have served on this committee and dedicated countless hours to developing recommendations for the next governor and for this body about how we should move forward. We will soon have a new governor, and that makes the legislature's role this year especially important. We should work constructively with the administration, but we also have to remember we have an independent constitutional responsibility to appropriate the funds for our state. That's our job. That's not the governor's job. The JBC has to be willing to take a hard look at the governor's proposed budget and make sure that the final budget that we pass reflects the people priorities The purse strings belong to us The passage of Amendment 87 I hope and Proposition NN gives us additional resources and some breathing room, but it doesn't mean that we can do everything that we all want to do. We still have very difficult choices to make. Our task is to make the most of what we have, to look into the future, to figure out how do we move forward with this new opportunity, to make sure that we make Colorado the best state it can be for everyone who lives here, and particularly for those who are really struggling. I want to acknowledge the concerns about transparency that I have heard from some of you. I take that seriously, and I believe we can do better. The JBC has an important role in managing the process and bringing forward a responsible budget, but this is the legislature's budget. You all deserve a meaningful opportunity to help shape it, to understand how decisions are made, and to know why. And I look forward to working with all of you to make sure that happens. I also want to take a minute to recognize the JBC staff. And I particularly want to call out our Senate staffer, Taylor Stein. Without their hard work, we would not have been able to do as good a job as we did. And you all would not have gotten nearly as much information about the budget as you got. That work has been especially important these last two years. On the JBC, our work is about getting deep into the issues, understanding the trade-offs, and figuring out real solutions. I'm asking for your support for another term on the JBC because I believe the last two years have prepared me for the challenges ahead. I have shown that I will, first and foremost, prioritize the needs of the people of Colorado, especially those who are struggling. If I am elected, I will continue to grapple with the difficult questions, take hard votes, and do that even when they are unpopular or have political consequences. Our party's success on Tuesday was incredible. People's expectations are very high, and our only option in this moment is to succeed. We need to deliver a fiscal strategy that will go far and provide the greatest good to the people of our state. That is what I hope to be part of, and I hope I have earned your trust. Thank you for your consideration.

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