AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMembers of the black caucus pose for a photo on the stairs of the Colorado Capitol in Denver on the first day of the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. James Coleman poses for a photo with fellow members of the black caucus during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature at the Capitol in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCowboy hats belonging to Republican representatives sit on stands at the back of the room during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColorado Supreme Court Justice Brian D. Boatright swears in members of the House of Representatives during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Shane Sandridge, R-Colorado Springs, speaks with Rep. KC Becker, D-Boulder, during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, wears a mask during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Rod Pelton rests his hand on the protective glass separating House members during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Hugh McKean , R-Loveland, listens as he is nominated by fellow Republicans to be the speaker of the house after Rep. Alec Garnett, D-Denver, had been nominated by the house democrats during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Garnett was named Speaker of the House, but not before a counter nomination of Rep. Hugh McKean, who serves as the minority leader, was presented and put to a vote. Garnett won 41-24 in the "unprecedented" happening.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Alec Garnett reacts as House Republicans counter nominate Rep. Hugh McKean upon the nomination of Garnett by House Democrats during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature at the Capitol in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.Garnett was named Speaker of the House, but not before a counter nomination of Rep. Hugh McKean, who serves as the minority leader, was presented and put to a vote. Garnett won 41-24 in the "unprecedented" happening.
Former state Rep. Dave Williams, R-Colorado Springs, speaks on the floor of the Colorado House in this 2021 file photo. Williams was elected chair of the Colorado GOP this year but the party is in financial trouble. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, listens as Majority Leader Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, admonishes House Republicans after McKean was nominated by fellow party members to be the speaker of the house upon Rep. Alec Garnett receiving a nominations by House Democrats during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.Garnett was named Speaker of the House, but not before a counter nomination of Rep. Hugh McKean, who serves as the minority leader, was presented and put to a vote. Garnett won 41-24 in the "unprecedented" happening.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, speaks as newly appointed Speaker of the House Alec Garnett listens during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Garnett was named Speaker of the House, but not before a counter nomination of Rep. Hugh McKean, who serves as the minority leader, was presented and put to a vote. Garnett won 41-24 in the "unprecedented" happening.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNewly appointed Speaker of the House Alec Garnett, D-Denver, listens as outgoing speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, introduces him to the house during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNewly appointed Speaker of the House Alec Garnett, D-Denver, is handed a gavel by outgoing Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, as he replaces her during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Alec Garnett, D-Denver, wears capitol building tie, while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostIn mid-January, Speaker of the House Alec Garnett addresses House members at the Capitol in Denver.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, listens as newly appointed Speaker of the House Alec Garnett addresses House members during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostHand sanitizer and masks were placed on each desk in the house of representatives before the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, speaks to Speaker of the House Alec Garnett during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, wears a mask and face shield during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostReps. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn, speak with a barrier between them during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRep. Dylan Roberts stands during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature at the Capitol in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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Members of the black caucus pose for a photo on the stairs of the Colorado Capitol in Denver on the first day of the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.
ExpandBy AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
The 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature was sworn in Wednesday at the Capitol in Denver.
The legislature is expected to take up seven bills this week before taking a monthlong break.
Lawmakers plan to adjourn Friday and begin their session in earnest next month, by which point many who work at the Capitol are expected to have received the COVID-19 vaccination.
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