Sen. Spence and Andy McKean, Liberty Day President

One concern elected officials and other leaders from both major parties share is a about participation in our democracy. For several decades participation in our democracy has been low, represented by low voter turnout, limited participation in grassroots politics, and a general lack of interest in politics.

This year, however, Colorado has more interest in the political process than anytime in our state's history. Thousands of voters attended their neighborhood caucuses for the first time on February 5, inspired by the upcoming presidential election and an interest in the selection process for the presidential candidate of their political party. Newly empowered voters in both parties have a keen interest in participating in the democratic process and making their votes count in the November 4, 2008 election.

This section of my site provides answers to a few of the basic questions you may have about politics and your political representation in Colorado, and links to a number of resources that I feel may assist my constituents to gain a better understanding of our democracy and political system.

The Colorado legislative process is considered to be one of the best in the country. We have a part-time citizen legislature. It is businesslike, civil and open. A candidate for the general assembly must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and must be a resident of the district he/she wishes to represent for at least 12 months before the election.

Three things influence the process – the influence of the initiative process, the influence of the courts, and the influence of the members.

The Sunshine Law was enacted into law in 1972 and includes public official disclosure, lobbyist disclosure, the open meeting law, the full and timely notice law, and most recently, the executive session law. Openness is part of the legislative process and applies to local governments as well as the General Assembly.

Legislators in Colorado are well-meaning people from different backgrounds, different agendas, different ambitions, but most run for office to serve the people and to make a difference for citizens of Colorado.

Both the house and the senate members meet before the session begins to elect leadership. The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who appoints a Speaker pro-tem, a majority and minority leader and assistants are elected, plus a whip, and a caucus chairman. That completes the House leadership team.

The Senate elects a President who appoints a President pro-tem, members elect a majority and minority leader, assistants to those leaders, a whip and a caucus chairman. Those members are senate leadership.

There are ten standing committees in each body. Each member serves on two or three committees. The Speaker and the President appoint committee members and committee chairmen.

The state legislature is in session from the first Wednesday in January until the first Wednesday in May – 120 days, by state law. Both House and Senate members earn an annual salary of $30,000.

There are 65 members of the Colorado House of Representatives who serve 2-year terms and 35 state senators who are elected every 4 years. Each one is limited by law to 8 consecutive years in the specific office.