The Colorado Senate convened for the first regular session of the 75th General Assembly on Jan. 8, 2025, elected Sen. James Coleman as president and adopted temporary rules, committee assignments and other organizational measures required to begin the 120‑day legislative session.

Sen. James Coleman, president of the Colorado State Senate, called for a legislative agenda focused on housing affordability, increased access to health care and education investments while defending recent state policy gains. "We will work to ensure that Colorado is a great place to do business and a great place to be employed," Coleman said, adding that the Senate will introduce bills on modular housing, childcare fee regulation and other housing tools.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen outlined a sharply different emphasis, urging regulatory rollbacks and targeted cost reductions for families and businesses. "We have identified over $4,500 in potential savings for every Colorado family," Lundeen said, and urged the chamber to pursue rule and fee reductions he described as burdensome.

Why it matters: The organizational actions—electing leaders, adopting rules and staffing committees—set who will control committee agendas and the pace of bill consideration for the session. The policy priorities the leaders described foreshadow the major issues senators said they expect to address: housing and affordability, public safety and gun policy, education funding, environmental protections and election access.

What the Senate did
- Elected Sen. James Coleman president of the Colorado State Senate by unanimous voice vote after nominations were closed.
- Elected Sen. Daphna Michaelson Janae president pro tempore by unanimous vote.
- Adopted the joint rules of the 74th General Assembly as temporary joint rules (Senate Joint Resolution 1): recorded vote 32 ayes, 0 no, 0 absent, 3 vacant; motion adopted.
- Adopted the temporary rules of the senate (Senate Resolution 1): recorded vote 32 ayes, 0 no, 0 absent, 3 vacant; motion adopted.
- Swore in senators elect; Chief Justice Monica Marquez administered the oaths of office to new members.
- Approved committee rosters and several committee appointments by recorded votes (most votes recorded as 32 ayes, 0 no, 0 absent, 3 vacant).

Bills introduced: The clerk read the titles of the first 10 Senate bills filed for the session; the measures were introduced but not debated or voted on during the organizational meeting. They include a proposed Colorado Voting Rights Act, changes to factory‑built structure codes, prohibitions related to certain semiautomatic firearms, childcare fee regulation, collective bargaining changes, a state treasurer housing investment authorization, support for prescribed burns, adjustments to an Office of Health Equity program, recognition of tribal court orders, and an electronic health communications bill. The bills were referred to committees for initial consideration.

Discussion highlights
- Housing and affordability: President Coleman previewed several housing measures, including bills to expand modular housing and authorize new tools for local governments and state investment to increase affordable for‑sale housing. He framed housing and cost pressures as central priorities for the session.

- Public safety and firearms: Coleman said the Senate would introduce a bill to enforce existing limits on high‑capacity magazines and emphasized investments in community safety and support for survivors.

- Voting rights: Coleman said the Senate would introduce the Colorado Voting Rights Act to protect ballot access and guard against federal rollbacks.

- Regulatory relief and costs: Minority Leader Lundeen criticized what he described as excessive state regulations and fees and called for rolling back requirements he said raise costs for families and businesses. He urged a package of measures intended to reduce costs and regulatory burden.

Formal outcomes and next steps: The Senate adopted organizational measures and committee assignments that determine the referral path for introduced bills. The clerk read additional bills that will be taken up in the coming days; senators and committees will hold hearings and consider amendments according to the adopted rules.

Quotes
"We will work to ensure that Colorado is a great place to do business and a great place to be employed," said Sen. James Coleman, president of the Colorado State Senate.

"We have identified over $4,500 in potential savings for every Colorado family," said Sen. Paul Lundeen, senate minority leader, urging regulatory rollbacks and fee reductions.

Ending: The Senate recessed to allow committees and other organizational tasks to proceed and to continue bill introductions and hearings later in the day. Members were instructed that more bills would be introduced that afternoon and the session calendar will determine committee hearings and floor action over the coming 120 days.