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For 2016, Democrats In The Colorado Senate Will Have A New Leader

When Colorado's 2016 legislative session convenes Jan. 13, Democrats will have a one-seat minority in the state Senate. They'll also have a new minority leader for the upcoming session, Lucia Guzman of Denver.

Lucia Guzman discusses her new role in the state Senate with Bente Birkeland

Interview Highlights With Lucia Guzman

On Leading Her Caucus

"As a Senator, I have certain great interests whether it be judiciary or the health of our kids in schools. Now as the minority leader I have to think more broadly, I have to think about the caucus itself."

On Winning Back The Majority Next Election

"We also know that we must be very strategic about what we do, how we do it, so that in the long run we are looking towards the future, towards the election, towards the outcome of those elections and hoping they'll be positive to our group."

On Repealing The Death Penalty

"It's been a long term passion of mine, you know my father was murdered, and yet from that very day I continue to think we don't grow as a society by killing people who kill people... I'm not going to bring that bill this year [2016]. It goes back to the fact that I'm the minority leader, not an individual Senator."

Copyright 2021 KUNC. To see more, visit KUNC.

Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.