Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics’ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s happening today:

Speaker names Boesenecker Speaker Pro Tempore

Colorado Speaker of the House Rep. Julie McCluskie, D- Dillon, has appointed Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, as the Speaker Pro Tempore for the 2025 legislative session. He will replace Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D- Lakewood, who wraps up his final term next month. 

“I’m honored to take on the role of Speaker Pro Tempore, and I am excited to serve the chamber in this new capacity,” Boesenecker said. “By working together, we will make important progress to protect and build on our accomplishments, which Coloradans overwhelmingly support. When called upon to preside over the House, I’m committed to doing so fairly and with respect for every member. Coloradans are counting on us to govern responsibly with limited state resources and deliver results– and I know we will.”

As Speaker Pro Tempore, Boesenecker will serve as McCluskie’s proxy, taking her place when she is unavailable and serving on the Majority Leadership Team alongside McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, D- Wheat Ridge. 

“I’m excited to appoint Rep. Boesenecker as Speaker Pro Tempore, and I look forward to working with him to make Colorado more affordable and protect our rights and freedoms,” said McCluskie. “He is deeply respected in the chamber, works openly and honestly with colleagues, and has been a leader on groundbreaking laws to reduce the cost of housing, protect renters and address gun violence. We have important work ahead, and it is a privilege to lead the House alongside House Democrats’ diverse leadership team.”

A former school teacher and minister, Boesenecker was elected to the House in 2021 through a vacancy election. He previously served as Majority Co-Whip, as well as on the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housing, and Local Government, Appropriations, and Audit Committees. 

Speaker announces House committee appointments

Speaker of the House McCluskie also announced committee appointments Monday, selecting members of her party to serve on the chamber’s ten legislative committees. 

The appointments are as follows:

Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee (9 Dem, 4 Rep)   

• Chair, Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont

• Vice Chair, Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo (new to the committee)

• Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs

• Representative-Elect Katie Stewart, D-Durango

• Representative-Elect Lesley Smith, D-Boulder

• Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora

• Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista

• Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs

• Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer

Appropriations Committee (7 Dem, 4 Rep)   

• Chair, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver

• Vice Chair, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster

• Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins

• Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada (new to the committee)

• Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs

• Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder (new to the committee)

• Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont (new to the committee)

Business Affairs and Labor Committee (8 Dem, 5 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver (new to the committee)

• Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch (new to the committee)

• Representative-Elect Gretchen Rydin, Littleton

• Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs

• Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton

• Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo

• Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield

Education Committee (8 Dem, 5 Rep) 

• Chair, Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista

• Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial

• Representative-Elect Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton

• Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver

• Representative-Elect Lesley Smith, D-Boulder

• Representative-Elect Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver

• Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer

Energy and Environment Committee (9 Dem, 4 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs

• Representative-Elect Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs

• Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora (new to the committee)

• Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn

• Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder

• Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville (new to the committee)

• Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City

• Representative-Elect Sean Camacho, D-Denver

Finance Committee (8 Dem, 5 Rep)

• Chair, Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada (new to the committee)

• Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch

• Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder

• Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County

• Representative-Elect Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood

• Representative-Elect Sean Camacho, D-Denver

• Representative-Elect Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins

Health and Human Services Committee (9 Dem, 4 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton

• Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial

• Representative-Elect Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton

• Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont

• Representative-Elect Katie Stewart, D-Durango

• Representative-Elect Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver

• Representative-Elect Lisa Feret, D-Arvada

• Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs

Judiciary Committee (7 Dem, 4 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative-Elect Michael Carter, D-Aurora

• Representative-Elect Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver

• Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial (new to the committee)

• Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver

• Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County

• Representative-Elect Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins

State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (8 Dem, 3 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn (new chair)

• Vice Chair, Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial (new to the committee)

• Representative-Elect, Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver

• Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver (new to the committee)

• Representative-Elect Lisa Feret, D-Arvada

• Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood (new to the committee)

• Representative-Elect Michael Carter, D-Aurora

• Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora

Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee (9 Dem, 4 Rep)

• Chair, Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood

• Vice Chair, Representative-Elect Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood

• Representative-Elect Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs

• Representative Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins

• Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora

• Representative-Elect Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton

• Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora

• Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver

• Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver (new to the committee)

Polis visiting Nevada to discuss education initiative

Gov. Jared Polis and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo will be hosting an event in support of Polis’ initiative through the National Governors Association, “Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success” in Las Vegas tomorrow. 

As chair of the National Governors Association, Polis launched the initiative to support the country’s governors in creating education policies that ensure students are properly prepared for the workforce. 

Also in attendance will be Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, College Board CEO David Coleman, and Dr. Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy. 

Lt. Gov Primavera speaks at education conference, accepts award on behalf of Gov. Polis

Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera delivered opening remarks at the Learning Forward Annual Conference today in Aurora. The conference brings educators from all over the country together to discuss the importance of professional learning in meeting the needs of students. 

Primavera spoke about the importance education plays in shaping Colorado’s future and driving its economy, highlighting the work she and Polis’ administration has done to support Colorado teachers and enhance school funding. 

“I am honored to be part of the Learning Forward Annual Conference and to recognize the dedication of educators who make a difference in the lives of students every day,” said Primavera. “We are deeply committed to investing in our teachers and their professional growth because we know that strong education systems are the foundation for a thriving society.”

Primavera also accepted the Learning Forward Policymaker’s Award on behalf of Gov. Polis, which recognizes his role in advancing educational policy in Colorado. Polis has also served on the State Board of Education and launched an education initiative through his role as Chair of the National Governors Association. 

“I’m proud to accept this award on behalf of Governor Polis, whose unwavering commitment to education is evident in everything he does,” said Primavera. “This recognition is a testament to his leadership and belief that investing in education is one of the best investments we can make in Colorado’s future.”