The newly expanded Senate Democratic caucus will return President Steve Fenberg to the dais when the Colorado legislature returns to session in January.

The 23-member caucus on Thursday nominated Fenberg to continue in the role the took up last session following the departure of former Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, for a position in the Biden administration. The nomination will next need to be confirmed by the full Senate when it begins meeting for the 2023 session on Jan. 9. 

In his remarks to the Senate Dems, Fenberg said the caucus “has been to the dark side over the last several months,” and were told every day building on their majority might not happen. “We are on the verge of 23 strong,” he said. That includes final numbers on two races: Senate District 11, in Colorado Springs and Senate District 15 in Larimer and Boulder counties.

Fenberg also noted that Democrats will keep the Senate majority after the 2024 election. “This is a generational majority” with a huge responsibility, he told the caucus.

When Fenberg was elected to his first term in 2016, the 2017 Democratic caucus had 17 members, one shy of a majority. Now, on the verge of 23, it speaks volumes to what the caucus has delivered to the people of Colorado. We will roll up our sleeves and tackle the big challenges that face the state, he pledged. 

“We showed leadership in how we solved problems…the lessons we take away from this year is leadership and good governance pays off. We can run on concrete and bold policies, deliver on those promises, run on those results and the voters will reward you,” he said. 

Noting the challenges of the past several years  – wildfires, including the one that devastated Boulder County last December; the shooting at the Boulder King Soopers that left 10 dead, and the pandemic – Fenberg said “you can respond to those challenges in a way that is competent and mature” and focused on problem-solving. 

“That’s when voters will have your back.” 

For the future, Fenberg said they should build on those accomplishments, and that they should be “aggressive on our agenda.”

The caucus also opted for Sen. James Coleman of Denver to serve as the new president pro-tempore. He will replace the term-limited Sen. Kerry Donovan of Vail.

Sen. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City will return as majority leader, a role he served in when Fenberg was elected president during the 2022 session. 

Fenberg, Coleman and Moreno were elected by acclamation.

Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver will take over as assistant majority leader. The caucus backed Rodriguez by secret ballot over Sen. Rhonda Fields of Aurora, who had been in that position for the past four years.

Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver was elected by acclamation as majority whip. Sen. Janet Buckner of Aurora was elected as caucus chair, also by acclimation. 

The caucus’ last decisions focused on who will represent them on the all-powerful Joint Budget Committee.

Sen. Chris Hansen of Denver chose not to return to JBC for the next session. He’s expressed an interest in running for mayor of Denver in next April’s election. He will be replaced by Sen. Jeff Bridges of Greenwood Village, who was elected by acclamation.

Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada will remain on the budget committee and will move into the position of JBC chair, given that chair of JBC moves between the chambers. 

The caucus of 13 men and 10 women went with leaders who have been in the Senate at least two years – many are serving in their second and final terms.

The caucus has six new members, five elected on Tuesday plus Sen. Kevin Priola of Henderson, who switched parties in August.