From statehood in 1876 until 1974, the lieutenant governor of Colorado served as president of the Colorado Senate. During that time, the role of lieutenant governor was similar to that of the Vice President of the United States, who serves as president of the United States Senate.
In November 1974, the people of Colorado approved an amendment to the state constitution, which removed the lieutenant governor from that legislative role. Hence, starting in January 1975, one of the thirty-five members of the Colorado Senate is elected every two years to the position of Senate President. Visitors to the Colorado Capitol may visit the “Hall of Presidents”, which is located on the east side of the Senate chamber to learn more about that history.
Similar to how the United States Senate currently operates, prior to that vote of the people of Colorado in 1974, the position of majority leader was the more powerful position in the Senate. Then, starting in 1975, the rules of the Senate began to change, which increased the power of the Senate president. However, careful inspection of the current rules of the General Assembly show that the distribution of powers in the state House and Senate are different.
The Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives has the more power, greater authority, than any other member of the General Assembly. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the chamber and has authority to decide all questions of order in the House chamber. Prior to the first general session of each two-year general assembly, the Speaker of the House has the power to determine which seats in the House chamber and which House offices in the Capitol Complex will be designated for use by the House Majority and Minority caucuses. The Speaker and House Minority Leader then assign each seat and office in those allocations to a specific member of their respective caucus.
The Speaker of the House also has authority to determine the make-up of the House committees of reference, naming of each committee, total number of members of each committee, ratio between Majority and Minority members, and to appoint the chairman and vice chairman of each committee. The House Minority Leader assigns the Minority members of each committee of reference. The decisions of the Speaker to change the naming or alignment of House committees may then be subject to a vote of the House. Once a session is convened, the Speaker then refers every bill that is introduced in the House to at least one House committee of reference.
In the Senate, the president is the presiding officer of the chamber and has authority to decide all questions of order in the Senate chamber. Prior to the first general session of each two-year general assembly, the President has the power to determine which seats in the Senate chamber and which offices in the Capitol Complex will be designated for the use by the Senate Majority and Minority caucuses. The President and Senate Minority Leader then assign each seat and office in those allocations to a specific member of their respective caucus. Once a session is convened, the Senate president then refers every bill that is introduced in the Senate to at least one Senate committee of reference.
The Senate Majority Leader has authority to determine the make-up of the Senate committees of reference, naming of each committee, total number of members of each committee, ratio between Majority and Minority members, and to appoint the chairman and vice chairman of each committee. The Senate Minority Leader assigns the Minority members of each committee of reference. The decisions of the Senate majority leader to change the naming or alignment of Senate committees may then be subject to a vote of the Senate.
Note that the House Majority Leader has none of the authorities outlined herein. Thus, the Speaker of the House has the power to act more unilaterally, while the division of authority in the Senate tends to foster teamwork between the Senate President and Senate Majority Leader.