The new Colorado legislative session will kick off on Monday, January 9, beginning at 10 am. The day will commence with the usual pomp and circumstance, beginning with a prayer and presentation of colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a musical presentation. Then there will be a call to order and roll call of returning members. After that we will certify the election results and swear in the new and reelected members. This year we are welcoming 10 new members to the Colorado State Senate.

Once all the members have been marked present and are seated, we will move forward with the election of leadership, namely the Senate President and the President Pro Tem. Unlike Washington D.C., I expect our leadership election to go rather smoothly. Then we will elect our nonpartisan Secretary of the Senate. Once those actions are complete the Senate President will appoint members--usually two from the majority and one from the minority-- to a "committee" to notify the Governor that the Senate is ready for business. I have been appointed to that committee in the past and I enjoyed walking down to the first floor and "knocking" on the Governor's door.

Once the committee returns from the Governor's Office, the Senate will recess in order to hear opening day remarks from the President of the Senate and the Senate Minority Leader. I'll be sure to post links to those remarks at a later date. Afterward, we will proceed with some light Senate business. This usually includes the introduction of bills and Governor's appointments. I am very pleased to announce that my bill on the use of public-private-partnerships (known as P3s) for affordable housing, will be introduced as Senate Bill 001--an honor reserved for the most important caucus priority! To view an ongoing list of bills, both past and present, click HERE.

After the introduction of bills, we will recess and proceed directly to the House for a Joint Session to certify the statewide election results. This is a required joint session to certify the election results for statewide offices. If you are interested in watching or listening to any of the House or Senate proceedings, you can do so by clicking HERE.

I am really looking forward to the start of a new session! If you are curious about legislation I plan to sponosor this year, or if you have questions about the legislative process in general, then please join me on Saturday, January 21 for our Legislative Town Hall Meeting. For more details, click HERE. And, as usual, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me anytime. You can find all my contact information on my website rachelforcolorado.com or at the end of this newsletter.

Monday, January 9th: Opening day, Senate gavel in at 10:00 AM

Tuesday, January 10th: Senate gavel in at 9:00 AM. The Governor's inauguration will begin at 10:30 AM on the West Steps. For details on the 2023 Governor's Inauguration go to: https://coloradoforall.co/.

Wednesday, January 11th: Joint Session for Address from Tribes. Senate gavel in at 9:00 AM. Joint Session at 10:00 AM in the House Chamber. We will meet for a Joint Session for a speciall Address from the two federally recognized Tribes in Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Thursday, January 12th: Senate gavel in at 9:00 AM. Nonpartisan and partisan staff will be sworn in.

Friday, January 13th: Senate gavel in at 9:00 AM, followed by a Joint Session in the House Chamber for a resolution in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Followed by another Joint Session for the State of the Judiciary address.

Monday, January 16th: MLK Day, Senate Closed

Tuesday, January 17th: Senate gavel in at 10:00 AM. Then we will convene a Joint session in the House Chamber for the Governor's State of the State Address at 11:00 AM.

To view the full House and Senate calendars, including committee meetings, go to our legislative website: www.leg.colorado.gov/session-schedule.

On Wednesday, January 11, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, the Colorado Sun's politics reporter and editor Jesse Paul will discuss the upcoming legislative session with lawmakers during a virtual conversation. Speakers will include:

House Speaker Julie McCLuskie, D-Dillon

House Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs

State Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa

State Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada

When and where: Virtual

Date and time: Wed, January 11, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

To register, click HERE.

Can't make the event? Register and receive a link to the recording after the event.

Our first town hall meeting of the 2023 legislative session will be on Saturday, January 21 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Standley Lake Library in Arvada. We will be discussing our first five bills, committee assignments, and how to engage with your representatives this session. For more information, click HERE.