State Sen. Peter Groff was elected by fellow Democrats today as Senate president, the first African-American to hold the post.
Groff, D-Denver, urged his colleagues to “be bigger than the politics of any moment. Be courageous. Be visionary.”
His selection must be approved in January by the full Senate, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 20-15.
He replaces Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, who resigned Wednesday to focus on her campaign for the 2nd Congressional District.
Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, was chosen as president pro tem, giving up his seat on the powerful Joint Budget Committee. Senate Democrats selected Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, to replace Tapia on the JBC.
The caucus also selected Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, as deputy caucus chair, a newly created position.
