Colorado Democrats hold two-thirds power
Democrats flipped six seats to gain veto-proof control of the state House and Senate, spending less than Republicans in most races.
By Amina Howard ·
Four legislative flips gave Colorado Democrats a supermajority in both chambers of the statehouse for the first time. The party secured control of more than two-thirds of the seats in the House and the Senate. Lawmakers described the outcome as a generational victory. The result allows the party to override vetoes from the governor. It also lets them place constitutional amendments on the ballot without Republican support.
Republicans spent far more money than Democrats in state legislative races this year. Despite that spending advantage, the GOP lost key seats. In Senate District 30, Democrats spent $181,000 to elect Kevin Leung. Republican groups spent $4.3 million to help incumbent John Carson. Leung won the Highlands Ranch district with 52.4% of the vote. Carson received 47.6%. In House District 43, Democrats spent $1,823 for Bob Marshall. Republican groups spent more than $1 million for challenger Nate Marsh. Marshall won his seat with 57% of the vote.
In other districts, Democrats also outperformed Republican spending. In Senate District 15, Democrats spent $916,000 for Janice Marchman. Republican groups spent $1.3 million for Rob Woodward. Marchman won with 58% of the vote. In House District 50, Democrats spent $623,000 for Tommy Butler. Republican groups spent more than $1.5 million for Ryan Gonzalez. Butler won with 60.3% of the vote.
Phil Weiser, the state attorney general, is the likely next governor. He said he believes the new leadership can build a culture that brings everybody in. Weiser noted that the party can get the best ideas from all members. He told reporters this on Wednesday. The supermajority may weaken his influence over the legislature. Democrats will have to address policy questions they avoided for eight years. They previously used the threat of a veto from Gov. Jared Polis as cover.
Senate Democrats elected Dylan Roberts of Frisco as majority leader on Thursday. Roberts said he wants to repair the rift between progressives and moderates. The House holds its leadership elections on November 6. Jarvis Caldwell, the House Minority Leader from Colorado Springs, said his party lost ground despite campaigning on affordability. Caldwell said voters care about cost of living and crime. He said he will look for other factors that drove voters to the Democrats.
Specific race results show the scale of the shift. In House District 16, Stephanie Vigil won with 57.3% of the vote. Jill Haffley received 40.7%. Republicans spent $94,000 for Haffley. Democrats spent $205,000 for Vigil. In House District 19, Jillaire McMillan won with 59% of the vote. Dan Woog received 41%. Republicans spent $1.2 million for Woog. Democrats spent $566,000 for McMillan. In House District 51, Jacki Marsh led Amy Parks with 51.3% to 48.7% as of Friday morning. Republicans spent nearly $2 million for Parks. Democrats spent $64,000 for Marsh.
The Associated Press called several races early in the week. Aaron Gutierrez won Senate District 3 with 54% of the vote. Dana Charles received 46%. Republican groups spent $5 million for Charles. Democrats spent $2 million for Gutierrez. In House District 21, Michelle Tweed leads Brenda Miller with 50.9% to 49.1%. Republican groups spent $1,750 for Miller. Democrats did not spend outside money for Tweed. In House District 15, Jeff Livingston leads Pricella Tiegen with 48.8% to 47.6%.
