Denver Sen. James Coleman named new Colorado Senate president

Sen. James Coleman , a Denver Democrat, will lead the Colorado Senate as its president.

Voters in his district reelected Coleman Tuesday, giving him more than 80% of the vote. He was uncontested in his selection for the top role in the chamber during a caucus meeting Friday, succeeding term-limited President Steve Fenberg.

Coleman previously served as the Senate president pro tempore, who leads the chamber in the president's absence. The president runs the chamber and serves on top committees guiding legislative operations.

"I will work hard to make sure that you are seen, supported and promoted," Coleman told the Democratic caucus after he was selected. "No one will out-serve me serving you. We're a family. We will show the country why Colorado is special and continue to be a model."

Democrats continue to hold a 23-seat near-supermajority in the 35-seat chamber after Tuesday's election. For leadership positions, they reelected Sen. Robert Rodriguez, also of Denver, to continue as majority leader; Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, of Commerce City, as Senate president pro tempore; Sen. Lisa Cutter, of Jefferson County, as assistant majority leader; and Sens. Jeff Bridges and Judy Amabile to serve on the powerful Joint Budget Committee.

Republicans have reelected Sen. Paul Lundeen, of Monument, to serve as minority leader and tapped Sen. Cleave Simpson, of Alamosa, for assistant minority leader. Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, of Weld County, was selected to continue serving on the Joint Budget Committee.

House Democrats postponed their caucus elections until Monday; at least two of their members' races remained too close to call Friday morning. The outcome of those races won't change the balance of power in the House, as Democrats look set to keep their supermajority in the chamber.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran are both expected to be reelected to those posts, though assistant majority leader Jennifer Bacon, of Denver, will face a challenge from Rep. Andy Boesenecker, of Fort Collins.

House Republicans, who may pick up at least one seat to build on their superminority status, reelected their current leadership Friday morning. Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, of Colorado Springs, and assistant minority leader Ty Winter, of Trinidad, were both reelected unopposed.

As vote totals stood Friday morning, House Republicans will hold 20 seats in the 65-member chamber.

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