Colorado General Assembly
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	8 years in the Senate, 4 terms (8 years) in the House
Session start:	January 8, 2025
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	James Coleman (Colorado) (D)
House Speaker:	Julie McCluskie (D)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Robert Rodriguez (D) House:Monica Duran (D)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Cleave Simpson Jr. (R) House:Jarvis Caldwell (R)
Structure
Members:	35 (Senate), 65 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art V, Colorado Constitution
Salary:	$43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021. + Per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Colorado Reapportionment Commission has control

TheColorado State Legislature is known as theColorado General Assembly. It is abicameral legislature, composed of theColorado House of Representatives and theColorado State Senate.

General legislative elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. The entire House is elected in each general election. Senators are elected in two classes such that, as nearly as possible, one-half of the senators are elected in each general election.

Colorado has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Colorado House of Representatives,Colorado State Senate,Colorado Governor

Senate

The Colorado Senate is the upper house of the Colorado General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Colorado. It is composed of 35 members elected from single-member districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Colorado state senators represented an average of165,205 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented144,141 residents.

Senators are elected to 4-year terms, and are limited to 2 consecutive terms in office.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Colorado State Senate in 2018. In2024, they won a 23-12 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Colorado Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

Between 1900 and 2022, the chamber changed partisan hands 14 times.

House of Representatives

The Colorado House of Representatives is thelower house of the Colorado General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Colorado. The House is composed of 65 members.

As of the 2020 Census, Colorado state representatives represented an average of88,956 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented77,614 residents.

Representatives are elected to 2-year terms, and are limited to 4 consecutive terms in office.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Colorado House of Representatives in 2012. In2024, they won a 43-22 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Colorado House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

Between 1900 and 2022, the chamber changed partisan hands 19 times.

Elections

2026

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2026 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theColorado State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 30, 2026. The filing deadline is March 18, 2026.

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 30, 2026. The filing deadline is March 18, 2026.

2024

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2024 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theColorado State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 19, 2024.

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 19, 2024.

2022

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2022 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theColorado State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.

2020

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2020 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofColorado State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 17, 2020. Heading into the 2020 general election, there were 19 Democrats and 16 Republicans in the chamber.

Elections for the office ofColorado House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 17, 2020.

2018

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2018 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theColorado State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 26, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2018, for major party candidates and April 2, 2018, for minor party candidates. There was a July 12, 2018, deadline for unaffiliated candidates.^[1]

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 26, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2018 for major party candidates. There was an April 2, 2018, deadline for minor party candidates. There was a July 12, 2018, deadline for unaffiliated candidates.^[2]

2016

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2016 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theColorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.^[3]

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.

2014

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2014 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theColorado State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014.

Elections for theColorado House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014.

2012

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2012 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of the Colorado State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2012.

Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2012.

2010

See also:Colorado State Senate elections, 2010 andColorado House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of the Colorado State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 27, 2010.

Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 27, 2010.

Sessions

Article V of the Colorado Constitution establishes when the General Assembly is to be in session. Section 7 of Article V states that the Assembly is to convene its regular session no later than the second Wednesday of January of each year. Regular sessions are not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days.

Section 7 also states that theGovernor of Colorado can convene special sessions of the General Assembly. Special sessions can also be convened by a two-thirds vote of the members of both legislative houses.

2025

See also:2025 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on May 7, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, and adjourn on May 8, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on May 8, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2022, and adjourn on May 11, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2021, and adjourn on June 8, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on June 15, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheColorado State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 14, 2020, through May 26, 2020. The suspension had originally been scheduled to continue through March 30, 2020. The suspension was then subsequently extended, first to April 2, 2020, then to May 18, 2020, and then to May 26, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 15, 2020.[4][5][6][7][8][9] 2019 See also:2019 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2019, through May 3, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Colorado legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2018, through May 9, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 11, 2017, through May 10, 2017. The legislature held a special session from October 2 to October 3. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 13 through May 11. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7 through May 6.[10] Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included energy development, the medical marijuana industry, tax refunds, and gun restrictions passed during the 2013 legislative session.[11] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 to May 7. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included packages of bills for flood relief and wildfire mitigation.[12] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to May 9. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included gun control, immigration reform, election reform, and the enactment of laws to regulate and tax legal marijuana.[13] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 to May 9. A special session was held from May 14 to May 16.[14] 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12 through May 11. 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 13th to May 12th.

Role in state budget

See also:Colorado state budget and finances

Coloradoon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[15]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inMarch.
2. Agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor inJuly.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inNovember.
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget inApril for the new fiscal year beginningJuly 1.

Colorado is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[15][16]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature, which must in turn adopt a balanced budget.^[15]

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

When sworn in

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Colorado legislators assume office on the first day of the legislative session after their election. The legislative session must begin no later than 10:00 AM on the second Wednesday of January.^[18] The state constitution requires the newly elected governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state to take office on the second Tuesday of January.^[19] In the year after those offices are elected, the legislative session must begin before the second Tuesday of January to declare the winners of those races.^[20][21]

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Colorado

On November 6, 2018, Colorado voters approved two constitutional amendments,Amendment Y andAmendment Z, establishing separatenon-politician commissions for congressional and state legislative redistricting. Each commission consists of four members belonging to the state's largest political party, four members belonging to the state's second-largest party, and four members belonging to no party. Commission members are appointed by a panel of three judges selected by the Chief Justice of theColorado Supreme Court. The amendment requires at least eight of the commission's 12 members, including at least two members not belonging to any political party, to approve a map.^[22]

TheColorado Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries "be contiguous, and that they be as compact as possible based on their total perimeter." In addition, "to the extent possible, districts must also preserve the integrity of counties, cities, towns and–where doing so does not conflict with other goals–communities of interest." There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.^[23][24]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Colorado after the 2020 census

On November 15, 2021, theColorado Supreme Court approved the state legislative redistricting plans approved by the state's Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission on October 11 and 12, 2021.^[25] These maps took effect for Colorado’s 2022 state legislative elections.

The Colorado Sun's Thy Vo wrote that the House and Senate maps "appear to favor Democrats' maintaining their majority in the General Assembly."^[25]Colorado Politics' Evan Wyloge wrote that the new maps created nine House districts where previous election results fell within a five percentage point margin and eight such Senate districts. At the time of approval, Democrats held a 42-23 majority in the House and a 20-15 majority in the Senate.^[26]

2010

See also:Redistricting in Colorado after the 2010 census

Colorado's population increased from 4.30 million to 5.03 million between 2000 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.^[27] Much of the state's 16.9 percent growth occurred in the I-25 corridor, on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Roughly half of the state's population increase was a result of Hispanic population growth. The Colorado Springs area and the southern Denver suburbs experienced the highest rates of population increase. Despite the fast rate of growth, Colorado did not gain another Congressional seat as a result of the new U.S. Census numbers.^[28]

The Colorado Reapportionment Commission, which review plans drafted by both Republicans and Democrats, selected a Democratic plan for the new state legislative districts. Both parties filed lawsuits, and the Colorado Supreme Court rejected the plan. Subsequently, the Commission submitted a new reapportionment plan, also drawn by Democrats. This plan received the Supreme Court's approval.^[29][30]

District maps

State Senate

State House

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Colorado

Partisan breakdown of the Colorado legislature from 1992-2013

Colorado State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Colorado State Senate for 11 years and the Democrats were the majority for the other 11 years. During the final nine years of the study, the Colorado senate was controlled by the Democratic Party with the final year (2013) being a Democratictrifecta.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Colorado State House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Colorado State House of Representatives for 15 years and the Democrats were the majority for the other seven years. During the final year (2013), Colorado was under a Democratictrifecta.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Colorado, theColorado State Senate and theColorado House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

Colorado was one of eight states to demonstratea dramatic partisan shift in the 22 years studied. A dramatic shift was defined by a movement of 40 percent or more toward one party over the course of the study period. Colorado has shifted dramatically from Republican to Democratic control.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Colorado state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Colorado has consistently ranked in the top-10 in the SQLI ranking during the period of the study, and also ranked in the top-5 for thirteen of the twenty years studied. The state has ranked 1st for two separate years (1997 and 2007), once under divided government and once under a Democratic trifecta. Colorado experienced its most precipitous drop in the SQLI ranking between 2009 and 2010, while still remaining in the top-10 of states. Republican trifectas occurred during the periods between 1999 and 2000 and again between 2003 and 2004, while Democratic trifectas occurred between 2007 and 2011 and again beginning in 2013 to the present. The state experienced a disruption in the Democratic trifectas between those periods when Republicans controlled the state house for two years, between 2010 and 2013.

• SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 3.25
• SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 5.50
• SQLI average with divided government: 4.69

Chart displaying the partisanship of Colorado government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Joint standing committees

See also:Public policy in Colorado

The Colorado General Assembly has six joint standing committees. Additional year-round committees and commissions can be found on theColorado Legislature website.

• Budget
• Capital Development
• Executive Committee of the Legislative Council
• Legal Services
• Legislative Audit
• Legislative Council

Joint select committees (2023)

• Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Colorado Constitution can be amended:

See also:Section 1 of Article V andArticle XIX of theColorado Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Colorado

Colorado Constitution
Preamble
Articles
I •II •III •IV •V •VI •VII •VIII •IX •X •XI •XII •XIII •XIV •XV •XVI •XVII •XVIII •XIX •XX •XXI •XXII •XXIII •XXIV •XXV •XXVI •XXVII •XXVIII •XXIX •Schedule

TheColorado Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Once on the ballot, a55 percent supermajority vote is required for the approval of any constitutional amendment put on the ballot by the legislature or by a citizen initiative, except those that only remove language from the constitution, rather than adding language or changing existing language.

Initiative

See also:Initiated constitutional amendment

Aninitiated constitutional amendment is acitizen-initiated ballot measure that amends astate's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Colorado, thenumber of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. Colorado has adistribution requirement for initiated amendments. Signatures must be collected from at least 2% of the registered voters who live in each of the 35 state Senate districts. A 55% vote is required for voter approval.

Combined initiated constitutional amendments and state statutes

See also:Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

Acombined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute is acitizen-initiated ballot measure that amends both a state's constitution and state statute. There are at least two (2) states that allow citizens to initiate combined amendments and statutes.

In Colorado, thenumber of signatures required for a combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. Colorado has adistribution requirement for initiated amendments. Signatures must be collected from at least 2% of the registered voters who live in each of the 35 state Senate districts. A 55% vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

Atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for theColorado State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 44 votes in theColorado House of Representatives and 24 votes in theColorado State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XIX of theColorado Constitution, thestate Legislature can refer a state constitutional convention question to the ballot. Atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote of legislators in each chamber is required.

See also

Elections	Colorado State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Colorado elections, 2024 Colorado elections, 2022 Colorado elections, 2020 Colorado elections, 2018	Colorado State Senate Colorado House of Representatives Governor of Colorado Colorado Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Colorado General Assembly

Footnotes

v • e State legislatures Legislatures Alabama (H,S) ·Alaska (H,S) ·Arizona (H,S) ·Arkansas (H,S) ·California (A,S) ·Colorado (H,S) ·Connecticut (H,S) ·Delaware (H,S) ·Florida (H,S) ·Georgia (H,S) ·Hawaii (H,S) ·Idaho (H,S) ·Illinois (H,S) ·Indiana (H,S) ·Iowa (H,S) ·Kansas (H,S) ·Kentucky (H,S) ·Louisiana (H,S) ·Maine (H,S) ·Maryland (H,S) ·Massachusetts (H,S) ·Michigan (H,S) ·Minnesota (H,S) ·Mississippi (H,S) ·Missouri (H,S) ·Montana (H,S) ·Nebraska ·Nevada (A,S) ·New Hampshire (H,S) ·New Jersey (GA,S) ·New Mexico (H,S) ·New York (A,S) ·North Carolina (H,S) ·North Dakota (H,S) ·Ohio (H,S) ·Oklahoma (H,S) ·Oregon (H,S) ·Pennsylvania (H,S) ·Rhode Island (H,S) ·South Carolina (H,S) ·South Dakota (H,S) ·Tennessee (H,S) ·Texas (H,S) ·Utah (H,S) ·Vermont (H,S) ·Virginia (H,S) ·Washington (H,S) ·West Virginia (H,S) ·Wisconsin (A,S) ·Wyoming (H,S) 2026 State legislative elections (2026) •State legislative special elections (2026) • Primary dates and filing requirements •2026 Session Dates 2025 State legislative elections (2025) •State legislative special elections (2025) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2025 Session Dates 2024 State legislative elections (2024) •State legislative special elections (2024) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2024 Session Dates 2023 State legislative elections (2023) •State legislative special elections (2023) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2023 Session Dates Historical elections 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 •2018 •2017 •2016 •2015 •2014 •2013 •2012 •2011 •2010 •2009 •2008 •2007 •2006 •2005 •2004 •2003 •2002 •2001 •2000 Features of state legislatures How vacancies are filled in state legislatures •States with a full-time legislature •State legislatures with term limits •Comparison of state legislative salaries •When state legislators assume office after a general election •Population represented by state legislators •State constitutional articles governing state legislatures •State legislative sessions •Resign-to-run law •State legislature candidate requirements by state •Official names of state legislatures •State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts •Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections State senates Length of terms of state senators •State senators •Partisan composition of state senates •State senators sorted by year first elected State houses Length of terms of state representatives •State representatives •Partisan composition of state houses •State representatives sorted by year first elected Leadership positions President of the Senate •President Pro Tempore •Senate Majority Leader •Senate Minority Leader •House Majority Leader •House Minority Leader •State Speaker of the House