Colorado Democrats are set to fill two Senate vacancies in early January as they prepare for the upcoming legislative session starting January 8.
With Senate Districts 29 and 31 in need of new representation, party officials are convening vacancy elections to select replacements for outgoing Senators Chris Hansen and Janet Buckner.
Vacancy Elections for Senate Districts 29 and 31
Democrats will hold elections to fill two vacant Senate seats in Denver and Aurora.
The elections are scheduled for January 6-7, 2025, giving party officials and constituents a chance to shape the future of these districts.
Seven candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the Senate District 31 seat, including Matthew Ball, the city’s director of policy; Rep.-elect Sean Camacho; and Christian “Chris” Chiari, a cannabis business founder.
The vacancy committees, made up of party officials, aim to ensure a fair and transparent process that reflects the values of the districts and maintains strong Democratic representation in the Colorado State Senate.
Departures of Sen. Chris Hansen and Sen. Janet Buckner
Sen. Chris Hansen is resigning from the Senate to take on a new role as CEO of La Plata Electric, with his resignation effective January 9, 2025.
Hansen has been a fixture in the General Assembly since 2017, serving three years in the House before being selected by a vacancy committee to succeed Sen. Lois Court in 2020.
Meanwhile, Sen. Janet Buckner is stepping down to focus on her health and spend more time with her family, also resigning effective January 9.
Buckner started her legislative career in the House in 2015 and was elected to the state Senate in 2020.
Both vacancies prompt renewed discussions about the vacancy process and its impact on political representation in Colorado.
Calls for Reform
The recent rash of resignations, including those of two senators who were just re-elected, has raised questions about the vacancy process in Colorado.
Critics argue that the process lacks transparency and public input, allowing a small group of party officials to make important decisions without broader scrutiny.
Calls for reform are growing, with a push for more inclusive and transparent procedures that would allow a wider range of candidates to participate in filling these vacant seats.
Ensuring a fairer system is seen as essential to maintaining democratic representation in the state’s General Assembly.
