Special Update – What’s The Deal With General Assembly Vacancies?

If you’re following Colorado politics, you’ve likely been hearing a lot of buzz about vacancy committees lately. In recent years, these committees have played a critical role in the state’s political landscape. Whether you’re a political junkie or just starting to follow the conversation, here’s what you need to know about vacancy committees and their growing influence in Colorado’s government.

In Colorado, legislative vacancies can occur when a sitting lawmaker resigns, dies, or becomes ineligible to continue serving. These vacancies are typically filled by a process controlled by party officials rather than a direct election by voters. 

• When a legislative seat becomes vacant, the political party in that district convenes a “vacancy committee,” made up of party officials, precinct committee members, and central committee members.
• The vacancy committee selects a replacement for the vacant seat. This process is used to fill both House and Senate vacancies.
• In some cases, the vacancy committee may hold a special election to fill the seat, but in most instances, the committee appoints a replacement.

Filling Senate vs. House Vacancies:

• For state Senate seats, the vacancy committee selects a new senator from within the district. The appointed senator serves the remainder of the term unless the vacancy occurs close to an election, in which case a special election might be held.
• Similarly, for the House of Representatives, a vacancy committee fills the seat, and the appointee serves for the remainder of the legislative term.

The process of filling vacancies has come under growing scrutiny, with some lawmakers and political leaders raising concerns about the influence of vacancy committees in selecting replacements. As Colorado’s legislative session approaches on January 8, Democrats must fill two Senate vacancies, while Republicans face one vacancy. Vacancy committees for each district have scheduled elections for early January.

• In Senate District 31, Denver Democrats will hold a vacancy election on January 7 to choose a successor for Sen. Chris Hansen, who is resigning to become CEO of La Plata Electric. Seven candidates have announced, including Matthew Ball, Rep.-elect Sean Camacho, and Sen. Steven Woodrow, among others. James Reyes, chair of the Denver Democratic Party, emphasized the need for a fair, transparent process. Hansen, who has served in the legislature since 2017, was reelected in November with over 80% of the vote. His departure creates an opportunity for the district to select a new representative.
• The second vacancy is in Senate District 29, where Sen. Janet Buckner is stepping down on January 9 to focus on health and family. Rep. Iman Jodeh has already announced her candidacy. A vacancy committee for this district will meet on January 6.
• On the Republican side, in Senate District 23, Sen. Kevin Van Winkle is resigning after being elected to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, with his resignation likely to take effect on January 9. A third vacancy committee for his seat has yet to be scheduled. Several potential candidates, including former Rep. Kim Ransom and Rep. Brandi Bradley, are being considered.

The recent spate of vacancies, including those of incumbents reelected in November, has sparked calls for reform to the vacancy process, which is controlled by a small group of party insiders. 

• Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib expressed concern over the growing number of lawmakers chosen by vacancy committees rather than traditional elections, calling it a “concern for every Coloradan.”
• An analysis earlier this year by Colorado Politics revealed that with a vacancy committee just four individuals often decide who will represent a House or Senate seat, with the average being around 40. This is the case for House districts, which represent roughly 89,000 constituents, while Senate districts cover about 165,000 people.

The 2025-26 legislative session is expected to begin with at least 20 lawmakers who entered the General Assembly through the vacancy process. With current or incoming House members likely competing for Senate seats, this could lead to additional vacancies. 

We’ll make sure to keep you updated as new information becomes available. Additionally, FGMC will be releasing a comprehensive Pre-Session Memo in the coming weeks, packed with everything you need to know ahead of the 120-day legislative session. Stay tuned for important insights and key details to help navigate the upcoming legislative period.

Best,

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