Colorado Democrats locked up supermajorities in both the state House and Senate on Friday. That gives the party enough votes to override a governor's veto and refer constitutional amendments to voters without a single Republican vote, which lawmakers say has never happened before in the state.
Four seats had flipped by Friday. In the Senate, Kevin Leung, a former school board member, ousted Republican Sen. John Carson in District 30. In the House, Jillaire McMillan beat Rep. Dan Woog in a District 19 rematch, Stephanie Vigil reclaimed District 16 and Greeley councilman Tommy Butler unseated Rep. Ryan Gonzalez in District 50.
Three more Republican-held House seats leaned Democratic in partial counts Friday morning. Jeff Livingston led 48.8% to 47.6% in District 15, Michelle Tweed led 50.9% to 49.1% in District 21 and Jacki Marsh led 51.3% to 48.7% in District 51. Democrats have said they expect to hold the Senate 24-11 and the House 49-16.
Republicans lost despite outspending Democrats on legislative races. GOP groups put about $4.3 million behind Carson, while Democratic groups spent about $181,000 for Leung. In Pueblo's District 3, a seat Trump carried by more than 5 points in 2024, Republicans spent nearly $5 million and still lost; Democrat Aaron Gutierrez won with 54%.
The new math reshapes the relationship with the next governor, Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser. Veto-proof majorities could dilute his sway over the General Assembly and strip legislators of the cover a Polis veto has given them on hard policy questions for eight years.
If they stay united, Democrats could revive bills outgoing Gov. Jared Polis rejected, including labor union election reform and a measure letting people sue federal immigration agents. The margins also shrink Republican representation on the committees bills must clear before a floor vote.
The legislative gains, together with voter approval of more money for public schools, could embolden progressives whose plans have been checked by Polis and Colorado's strict constitutional tax limits. Weiser said Wednesday he believes the state can build a culture that brings everyone in.
Senate Democrats on Thursday chose Sen. Dylan Roberts of Frisco as majority leader, and he pledged to mend the rift between the caucus's progressives and moderates. House Democrats were set to pick leaders Nov. 6.
House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell of Colorado Springs said most Republican House candidates campaigned on affordability, cost of living and crime, issues he believes 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
Gonzalez aimed his frustration at President Donald Trump, posting on X that the president would be more effective if he stopped talking, using a profanity. Trump stayed out of Colorado's statehouse contests but was outspoken in many races Democrats won, urging voters to act as if he were on the ballot.
