Colorado Democrats locked up supermajorities in both the state House and Senate on Friday, a first in state history, according to lawmakers. The win gives them the power to override the next governor's vetoes and send constitutional amendments to voters without a single Republican vote.
The party has flipped four legislative seats so far, beating even its own most optimistic projections, and leads in several races still being counted. Based on preliminary results, Democratic leaders expect to hold a 24-11 edge in the Senate and a 49-16 edge in the House.
The gains came even though Republicans spent far more on legislative races this year. In the Highlands Ranch-based Senate District 30, GOP groups spent about $4.3 million to protect Sen. John Carson, while Democratic groups spent about $181,000 for Kevin Leung, a former school board member who unseated him with 52.4% of the vote.
In the House, Jillaire McMillan beat Republican Rep. Dan Woog in a rematch in House District 19 with 59% of the vote. Stephanie Vigil reclaimed House District 16, a seat she lost in 2024 by three votes, and Greeley city councilman Tommy Butler ousted Republican Rep. Ryan Gonzalez in House District 50 with about 60%.
Three more Republican-held House seats remained close as of Friday morning. Jeff Livingston led Pricella Tiegen 48.8% to 47.6% in House District 15, Michelle Tweed led Brenda Miller 50.9% to 49.1% in House District 21, and former Loveland Mayor Jacki Marsh led Amy Parks 51.3% to 48.7% in House District 51. The first two races were not considered competitive.
What two-thirds control allows
The new math shifts leverage away from the governor's office. The influence of Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Democrat elected governor, over the General Assembly could shrink, and lawmakers will lose the cover they have used for eight years when the threat of a veto from Gov. Jared Polis let them sidestep tough policy questions. Weiser told reporters Wednesday he believes lawmakers can build a culture that welcomes everyone's ideas.
If they stay united, Democrats could revisit bills Polis vetoed, including labor union election reform and a measure creating a civil cause of action against federal immigration agents. The larger margins also thin Republican ranks on the committees that bills must clear before reaching a floor vote.
The results, paired with voter approval of a ballot measure boosting public school funding, are likely to embolden the party's progressive wing. Its ambitions have long been checked by Polis and by the state's strict constitutional limits on taxation.
Senate Democrats on Thursday chose Sen. Dylan Roberts of Frisco as majority leader, and he pledged to mend the rift between progressives and moderates in the caucus. House Democrats were scheduled to pick leaders Nov. 6, replacing term-limited Speaker Julie McCluskie.
Republicans look for answers
House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell of Colorado Springs said most Republican House candidates campaigned on affordability, cost of living and crime, issues he said voters still care about.
I will be interested to see if there was something else that drove them to the Democrat Party rather than Republican Party.
Jarvis Caldwell, Colorado House minority leader
President Donald Trump stayed out of Colorado's statehouse contests but was outspoken in many races Democrats won elsewhere, urging voters to act as if he were on the ballot. Gonzalez responded with a profane post on X telling the president he would be more effective if he stopped talking.
