Colorado Democrats Secure First Legislative Supermajority in 20 Years

Colorado Democrats secure first supermajority in two decades

Colorado Democrats have captured their first legislative supermajority in 20 years following a decisive election cycle, according to reporting from coloradowins.org.

The shift in power follows a massive mobilization effort where members and staff knocked on more than 25,000 doors across the state. This ground game helped flip a Senate seat and several House seats, providing the party with the legislative strength to override vetoes and gain increased influence over committee assignments.

The state's new political makeup includes several historic firsts. Kevin Leung of Douglas County (SD30) is headed to the Senate, marking the first time a Chinese American has been elected to the state legislature. In the House, endorsed candidates Jacki Marsh (HD51), Steph Vigil (HD16), Jillaire McMillian (HD19), and Tommy Butler (HD50) successfully flipped four seats.

New tax measures aim to stabilize state budget

Voters also approved two critical ballot measures designed to address Colorado’s long-standing fiscal challenges. Amendment 87, which establishes a graduated income tax, and Proposition NN are expected to provide relief to the state's budget.

For years, Medicaid and education spending have consumed more than 60% of Colorado’s general fund. This concentration of spending has historically forced other state services and contract negotiations to compete for limited resources. The passage of these measures is intended to free up funds for childcare, healthcare, and education, while also providing more stability for state services.

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The results for these measures were decisive. Proposition NN was declared a winner early with 56% of the vote. The graduated income tax coalition reported a win after tallies showed the amendment winning in a 2-to-1 margin in supporting counties.

Measure	Primary Objective	Election Result
Amendment 87	Implement graduated income tax	Passed
Proposition NN	Address state budget needs	Passed (56% vote)

Representation shifts in statewide and federal offices

The election results extended beyond the state legislature, with all four endorsed candidates for statewide offices winning their respective races. This includes the reelection of Phil Weiser for Governor and Jena Griswold for Attorney General, alongside the election of Jeff Bridges as Treasurer.

Amanda Gonzalez will become Colorado’s first Latina Secretary of State. The Democratic sweep also reached the federal level, where Manny Rutinel (CD8) and Jessica Killin (CD5) were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. These wins are positioned as a defense against potential federal cuts to programs like Medicaid.

The election also saw the rise of Kenny Nguyen (HD33), a COWINS member who became the first Vietnamese American elected to serve in Colorado’s General Assembly. While Nguyen had previously filled a vacancy, this election marks his first time being voted into the position by his constituents.

Implications for state workers and collective bargaining

For state employees, the combination of a supermajority and new revenue streams changes the math for upcoming labor negotiations. The new budget flexibility, paired with nearly 2,500 new union membership sign-ups over the last year, is expected to strengthen the position of workers during collective bargaining for the Partnership Agreement.

Labor advocates view these wins as the primary mechanism for recouping Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) that were lost during the previous year. By securing a stronger legislative environment, workers hope to ensure that contract and state services are fully funded during the next session.

One race remains unsettled. In Pueblo County, the sheriff’s race is still being called, with COWINS member Allen Medina currently leading by more than 250 votes.

Legislative session begins in January

The Colorado State Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on January 10, 2027. This session will be the first opportunity for the new supermajority to test its ability to move constitutional amendments onto the ballot and influence state policy through committee power.

While the structural advantages of a supermajority are clear, the ability to translate these political wins into tangible service improvements remains the central challenge for the incoming administration.