When Senate Democrats caucused on Nov. 15 to elect leadership for the 70th General Assembly, which convenes on Jan. 7, the tone of the meeting was hardly reminiscent of the past few years when they had majority status. Gone were the boisterous cheers and giddiness that ushered in the new Democratic majority back in 2004 and every session since then.

Instead, survivors of the Nov. 4 election were a tad more subdued, knowing that when they come back into session in a few weeks they will be on the other side of the 18-17 majority they worked so hard to wrest from Republican control a decade ago.

Still, the mood was not completely devoid of optimism.

As Sen. Nancy Todd noted in her nomination of fellow Aurora Democrat and Senate President Morgan Carroll for the position of minority leader, “I have served in the majority and in the minority and we all feel disappointed. But I will say this: It does not mean we still can’t accomplish great things. We can make lemonade out of lemons… And as I said to Morgan, the only thing we need to add is a little bit of vodka,” she jested with colleagues.

Leadership isn’t always about winning, Todd continued. “Leadership is about leading and helping people come together. That is something we as a caucus have done… it’s about bringing people together, being able to collaborate, to cooperate, being able to disagree without being disagreeable, and being able to work across the aisle.”

Todd, who was first elected as a state representative along with Carroll back in 2004, held up a framed newspaper front page from 10 years ago depicting Carroll, herself and another Aurora lawmaker under the banner headline, “Good news for state Dems.”

“My gosh, we haven’t changed at all!” she chuckled as she emphasized that it wasn’t the end of good news for Democrats. She proceeded with her gracious remarks about Carroll.

“Morgan has shown her true colors,” Todd continued, and deserved to continue as leader of their caucus.

Carroll was elected by acclamation.

“We have 17 incredible leaders in this caucus, and I think it’s going to take every one of us pulling together, moving forward,” Carroll said.

“We’ve never changed that we’re really about our districts and the people of this state,” she added.

The first caucus since the election was held Saturday morning at the state Capitol. It began with an initial surprise when Sen. Lucia Guzman, current president pro tem of the body, took to the microphone and announced that she had given it a lot of thought and wanted to nominate herself. Surprised colleagues were momentarily caught off guard — the leadership posts had been informally agreed upon before the official proceedings — and then the Democratic senator from Denver, the first Latina to serve in the position, finished her remarks.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought,” Guzman said, “and I want to nominate myself for Senate President pro tem emeritus.”

Her nomination to retire herself from the leadership spot was good naturedly seconded on Twitter by newly elected Senate President Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, and the short burst of humor seemed to lighten the mood of the new minority party members as they got down to business.

Boulder Sen. Rollie Heath was elected assistant minority leader without any opposition. He was nominated by Sen. Linda Newell of Littleton, who called her colleague a true statesman who possesses the necessary trait of always being civil, a critical piece of leadership.

Guzman nominated Sen. Jesse Ulibarri of Westminster — whom she has known since he was 2 years old — for the position of Senate minority caucus chair. “He has not changed much,” Guzman said with humor in her voice, noting that even back then, Ulibarri showed his independent streak by refusing to have his diapers changed.

He is a true representative of numerous groups including the poor, Latinos, and the GLBT community, Guzman lauded. He can bring it all together “in some new and innovative ways” to prepare for the road ahead.

“He’s young but [it’s] important to build our leadership bench as we move forward,” she concluded.

Ulibarri, who reminded his fellow caucus members that he grew up in poverty in a trailer park in his metro area district, said his background has contributed to his ability “to see abundance in front of us despite obstacles.” He was elected without opposition.

The position of Senate minority caucus whip went to Sen. Matt Jones of Louisville, who has served in the minority and the majority in both the house and the Senate. He was nominated by Sen.-elect Andy Kerr.

Sen. Pat Steadman was reelected to the JBC, having already served six years on the powerful bipartisan budgeting committee. The Denver Democrat was nominated by Sen. Mary Hodge, herself a JBC member in the past.

And finally, Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, led a tribute to outgoing caucus chair Rep. Jeanne Nicholson, who lost her bid for reelection to former Republican Sen. Tim Neville earlier this month by 1,956 votes.

Johnson praised Nicholson’s “wisdom and courage” and said she was always bubbly, thoughtful and courageous, what he termed as a “steel fist with silk on top of it.”

This year’s Democratic caucus includes new members Mike Merrifield and Leroy Garcia, both who have served in the house, and Kerry Donovan from Vail.

The caucus adjourned roughly 24 minutes after it started.

— Jody@coloradostatesman.com

See the November 14 print edition for full photo coverage.