DENVER – Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst took over as speaker of the Colorado House on Wednesday, facing obstacles created by a split Legislature.
The Boulder Democrat replaced Mark Ferrandino, a Denver Democrat who became the first openly gay leader of the House. Ferrandino was term-limited.
Hullinghorst takes the helm at a time when bipartisanship will be critical to pass any legislation. Republicans took control of the Senate, and Democrats lost three seats in the House after the November election. They now hold a 34-31 majority.
“There are those who say a split Legislature will place many challenges in our path,” Hullinghorst said during remarks before colleagues on the first day of the legislative session. “I prefer to regard these as opportunities to work together for all of our constituents.”
She became the first Democratic woman to serve as state House speaker and the second woman in history.
Republican Lola Spradley served as the first female speaker of the Colorado House during the 2003 and 2004 sessions.
Hullinghorst highlighted a common theme for Democrats this year: Assist the middle class.
“Our middle-class Colorado families are standing uncomfortably close to the edge of a cliff, only one emergency away from sliding right back to where we were in the depths of the Great Recession,” Hullinghorst said.
She called on the Legislature to pass bills around job training, workforce development and affordable housing. Hullinghorst also said student debt and affordable tuition will be priorities.
Meanwhile, Republicans said they are ready to respond. House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso of Loveland said his caucus will be focused on rural Colorado, where economic recovery has not occurred as it has along the Front Range.
“We hear how well Denver and the Front Range are doing, and it’s encouraging to see economic growth in these areas,” DelGrosso said. “But while our population may be concentrated along the Front Range, our identity is more than a sprawling urban corridor.”
DelGrosso said his caucus also will highlight transportation, calling it “vital for business and commerce.”
On the subject of possible refunds owed to voters because of a budget surplus, DelGrosso said lawmakers should issue the refunds without asking voters to let the state keep the money.
“Refunds are owed to our taxpayers and we will fight to have that money returned to them,” DelGrosso said.
He said the caucus also will not cave when it comes to supporting natural gas and oil.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
