We all were taught in high school civics that we live in a representative democracy. But Colorado’s Legislature falls short of that lofty label.
An in-depth report by Colorado Politics reveals that of the 100 members serving in the Colorado General Assembly, almost a third weren’t originally elected by their constituents. And of those 28, seven have yet to face voters.
How’s that possible?
They were appointed by vacancy committees — Colorado’s system for filling empty legislative seats when members unexpectedly leave office. They resign for wide-ranging reasons; some die in office. When they leave, their replacements are picked by small groups of party insiders who serve on the committees. One rural legislator appointed in 2019 needed only four votes from a six-member committee to gain a seat in the state House of Representatives.
It’s troubling and, arguably, undemocratic. Of the current members who entered the Legislature by committee appointment, even the 21 who eventually had to defend their seats in the next general election got a leg up over rivals. They were the “incumbents” seeking to retain office.