Colorado House Democrats choose Western Slope representative for key leadership position

Colorado House Democrats on Friday chose Glenwood Springs Rep. Elizabeth Velasco to serve as co-whip, elevating another Western Slope lawmaker to a key leadership position. 

The two other House members who ran for the position were Jefferson County Rep. Sheila Lieder and El Paso County Rep. Regina English. Velasco secured a majority of votes from members.

Velasco, a third-term Democrat, represents House District 57, which includes Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Rifle, Carbondale and a slice of unincorporated Eagle County. As co-whip, she will be charged with lining up votes from House members and keeping party unity on key legislative efforts. 

“We want to make sure that the calendar is moving, that people are there to vote … to make sure that our priorities are advancing and that we are protecting against hostile amendments,” Velasco said. 

Velasco said with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, it will be crucial for House Democrats to remain unified to protect liberal priorities in Colorado. Democrats hold a 43-22 majority in the House, with one current vacancy. 

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“We are ready to protect our communities and defend all the things that we care about like the environment, access to abortion, the LGBTQ community and migrant community,” Velasco said. 

Velasco is the latest Western Slope legislator to secure a top leadership role. 

Dillon Democrat Julie McCluskie in 2022 became the first woman from the Western Slope to serve as Colorado House Speaker. In the Senate, Frisco Democrat Dylan Roberts, whose district includes counties in central and northern mountain regions, serves as majority caucus chair.