Western Slope lawmakers will continue to serve in key committee roles in the state legislature, including as chair and vice-chair of several committees. 

Legislative leaders in both the state House and Senate recently announced committee appointments for the 2026 legislative session, which begins on Jan. 14. 

Both chambers have several committees that are made up of bipartisan panels of lawmakers. Committees are critical for shaping and passing legislation. They are the first to review bills before deciding whether or not to advance them to a full chamber vote. They are also where members of the public can provide testimony on a bill. 

“Committees are crucial to the legislative process — they’re where we deliberate, hear from the public, and fine-tune policies so that they can have the best impact for Coloradans,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, in a statement. 

Democrats, who hold large majorities in both the House and Senate, control all committees. 

In the Senate, Frisco Democrat Dylan Roberts will continue to chair the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee, which has taken a leading role in recent years in holding hearings on bills and issues related to the state’s controversial wolf reintroduction program. 

Roberts will also serve as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee. Roberts held the position in 2023 and 2024, but last year only served as a member rather than vice chair. 

Roberts’ Senate district includes all or parts of Summit, Eagle, Routt, Grand, Garfield, Gilpin, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Clear Creek counties.

On the Republican side, Sen. Marc Catlin of Montrose will serve on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Business, Labor and Technology Committee and the Transportation and Energy Committee, where he will serve as ranking member, which is the most senior committee position for the minority party. 

Calin’s district includes all or parts of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale and Montrose counties. 

Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson of Alamosa will serve on the Transportation and Energy Committee and as ranking member on the Finance Committee. 

In the House, Western Slope Democrats will also continue to serve in committee leadership roles. 

Rep. Elizabeth Velasco of Glenwood Springs will continue serving as vice chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, and will also serve as a member of the Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee and the Appropriations Committee, which reviews all bills that have a fiscal impact to the state. 

Velasco’s district spans all or parts of Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties. 

Rep. Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs will also continue to chair the Education Committee, which helps craft the state’s annual school funding bill, and will serve on the Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee. 

Lukens’ district spans all or parts of Eagle, Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. 

“Colorado Democrats are focused on growing our economy and driving down costs for hardworking families,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said in a statement announcing the committee assignments. “Lawmakers, and their respective committees, refine critical legislation that will help us make housing more affordable, lower the cost of health care, protect our environment, and equip Coloradans with the tools they need to thrive.”

Republican Rep. Rick Taggart of Grand Junction will serve on the Appropriations and Joint Budget committees, both as a ranking member. Rep. Larry Don Suckla of Cortez will serve on the Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources and Business Affairs and Labor committees, and on the Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee as a ranking member. Matt Soper of Delta will serve on the Appropriations Committee and as the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee.