Senate GOP Leader Makes Committee Assignments

New senate minority leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, announced committee appointments today, assigning conservative members of his caucus to the chamber's principal economic policy-making bodies.

The appointments are:

Business Affairs, Labor & Technology Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, and Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. Scheffel is a new senator.

Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas.

Finance Committee: Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker. King, a veteran of the house of representatives, is new to the senate.

Judiciary Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; senator to be appointed in district 15 to replace Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins. Johnson was elected to the Larimer County Commission this month and is leaving the senate.

Education Committee: Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial. Spence is a veteran of the committee and a leading GOP voice on education issues.

Local Government Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas; SD-15 replacement.

State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee: Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.

Health and Human Services Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs; SD-15 replacement.

Transportation Committee: Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley; Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.

Joint Budget Committee: Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.

Appropriations Committee: Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch; Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton; Sen. Al White, R-Hayden.

Audit Committee: Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield; Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.