AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPeople walk beneath a Colorado and American flag during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA member of the color guard holds the American flag during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Bri Buentello stands with her son, Noel, as he holds his Lightning McQueen racer on an elevator during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative ession at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColorado state Rep. Brianna Titone does an interview on the House floor during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Titone is the state's first transgender legislator.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostReps. Bri Buentello and Hugh McKean hug during first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostIn 2019, then-Rep. James Coleman (left, now a state senator) and then-Rep. Jovan Melton adjust each others' neckwear as Rep. Janet Buckner speaks to former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb during first day of the Colorado legislative session.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Chris Hansen holds his sons Ashwin (left) and Sachin (right) during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Tom Sullivan is seated during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Sullivan's son Alex was one of the 12 victims who was shot and killed during the 2012 Aurora theater shooting.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostReps. Alec Garnett and Jim Wilson stand as they are sworn in with fellow representatives during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColorado Supreme Court Justice Nathan B. Coats swears in representatives first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRepresentatives, their families and people gathered in the gallery stand of the Pledge of Allegiance during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Donald Valdez stands with fellow representatives and their families during first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Janet Buckner receives a hug after being sworn in with fellow representatives during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNewly appointed House speaker KC Becker takes her post during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNewly appointed Speaker of the House KC Becker (right) and outgoing speaker Crisanta Duran exchange gavels during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNewly appointed speaker of the house KC Becker takes her post during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Jim Wilson sits at his desk in a shaft of light during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostPeople walk to the Senate chamber on the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostSergeant at Arms Jim Eichman place the flowers and cards on the desks of senators during the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostSen. Faith Winter, right, celebrates the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly with her daughter Sienna Snook, 7, at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostColorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, right, and Minority Leader Chris Holbert laugh together during the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostChief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court Nathan Coats, center, administers the oath of office to new Colorado senators during the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostXan Garcia, 11, son of Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, sits on his father's chair during the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostColorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, left, receives the gavel from Sen. Kevin Grantham during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostSen. Lois Court celebrates the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 04, 2019.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostThe Colorado Senate chamber is pictured on the opening day of the 72nd General Assembly at the Colorado state Capitol on Jan. 4, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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People walk beneath a Colorado and American flag during the first day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Hyoung Chang | hchang@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Getting your player ready...
The Colorado General Assembly officially opened for business Friday, Jan. 4, 2018, at the state Capitol. Legislators in both the House and Senate were sworn in, with Democrats firmly controlling both chambers.