James Coleman, a Denver Democrat, elected president of the Colorado Senate
Coleman, who has been serving as Senate president pro tempore, ran unopposed for the position.
"We're a family," Coleman told his caucus before he was elected by acclimation. "We will show the country why Colorado is special and continues to be a model."
Coleman, one of the more moderate members of the chamber, has stressed the need for bipartisanship, even as Democrats maintained their large majorities in the state legislature in Tuesday's election.
As a lawmaker, Coleman has long championed racial equity , dating back to his time in the House, where he was first elected in 2016. He leads a number of nonprofits, including FaithBridge Colorado, a K-12 policy advocacy group, and the Black Capital Foundation, which aims to reduce racial wealth gaps by raising money for and investing in Black-owned businesses.
Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat, has served as Senate president since 2022 , but is term-limited and couldn't run for reelection this year.
Coleman was reelected on Tuesday to his second four-year term in the Senate.
As president, Coleman will preside over the Senate, setting the chamber's tone and handling all bureaucratic decisions. He will also assign bills to committees.
Democrats are set to have a 23-12 majority in the Senate, the same as they've had for the past two years, after they failed to pick up any additional seats and achieve a supermajority in Tuesday's election.
Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, had also been running to succeed Fenberg as Senate president. However, she did not pursue the position when given the chance Friday.
"We will face exceptionally difficult budget and policy decisions ahead as a caucus in the next two years, and I no longer wish to spend precious energy navigating the sharp divisions within our caucus to try and lead it," Gonzales said in a text to the caucus earlier in the week. "I'd rather be of use to my constituents, particularly those at the margins who will be ever more targeted a mere 75 days from now."
She added: "I'd hoped to serve as Colorado's first Latina president, but candidly it's just not a great week for women of color stepping up to lead. I will also not be seeking a position in leadership, and will instead continue to focus my last two years on the work, both inside and outside the Capitol, to protect and advance dignity and justice for all Coloradans."
Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, was reelected Friday to his position. In that role, he will continue to have the power to make Democratic committee assignments in the Senate, which will determine the trajectory of legislation.
"The work ahead will require collaboration and shared vision to solve the challenges we face," Rodriguez told his caucus. He vowed to prioritize unity among Senate Democrats.
Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, was elected Senate president pro tempore to succeed Coleman.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
