GOP winner in Jefferson County gives Republicans majority in state House of Representatives

Jefferson County elections officials have officially certified the victory of Republican Robert Ramirez in district 29, cementing a one-vote majority for the GOP in the state House of Representatives.

Ramirez, a U.S. Navy veteran who holds an associates degree in business administration, defeated incumbent Debbie Benefield by 197 votes out of more than 25,000 cast.

His victory will give the GOP a 33-32 advantage in the lower chamber of the General Assembly when the next legislative session starts in January.

Democrats retained control of the state Senate in elections held earlier this month.

Republicans picked up one seat in that chamber as Rep. Ellen Roberts of Durango defeated Democratic Sen. Bruce Hesperus of Hesperus.

Ramirez joins Mark Barker of Colorado Springs, Don Beezley of Broomfield, Kathleen Conti of Littleton, and Libby Szabo of Arvada as Republican victors over Democratic House incumbents.

The GOP's Keith Swerdferger of Pueblo West won the seat now held by term-limited Democrat Buffie McFadyen.

Besides Benefield, Democrats Dennis Apuan, Sara Gagliardi, Dianne Primavera, and Joe Rice were defeated in Tuesday's election.

Photo of Rep.-elect Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster, courtesy of Ramirez for Colorado.

Colorado Springs' Apuan Recognizes Fallen Soldiers from Colorado on Opening Day

The opening day ceremonies at the state capitol took a somber turn today as Rep. Dennis Apuan, D-Colorado Springs, memorialized dozens of American warriors before a rapt chamber.

Apuan, who represents a district proximal to two Air Force bases, the Cheyenne Mountain facility, Fort Carson, and the Air Force Academy, asked for a moment of silence to honor the following members of the U.S. armed forces killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan between May and December of 2009:

Private Steven T. Drees
Specialist Gregory J. Missman
Sergeant Jason J. Fabrizi
Specialist Randy L.J. Neff Jr.
Sergeant Joshua J. Rimer
Private Patrick S. Fitzgibbon
Private First Class Richard K. Jones
Corporal Jonathan M. Walls
Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram
Private First Class Matthew Wildes
Sergeant Youvert Loney
Sergeant Randy M. Haney
First Lieutenant Tyler Edward Parten
Sergeant First Class Duane A. Thornsbury
Sergeant First Class David A Davis
Private First Class William Meredith
Staff Sergeant Justin T. Gallegos
Specialist Christopher T. Griffin
Sergeant Joshua M. Hardt
Sergeant Joshua J. Kirk
Specialist Stephan L. Mace
Staff Sergeant Vernon W. Martin
Sergeant Michael P. Scusa
Private First Class Kevin C. Thomson
Specialist Kevin Olsen Hill
Specialist Jesus O. Flores
Specialist Daniel C. Lawson
Staff Sergeant Glen H. Stivison Jr.
Private First Class Brandon M. Styer
Specialist Kimble A. Han
Specialist Eric N. Lembke
Private First Class Devin J. Michel
Sergeant Eduviges G. Wolf
Sergeant Jason A. Mcleod
Sergeant Kenneth R. Nichols
Sergeant Elijah J. Rao
Corporal Joshua A. Lengstorf
Specialist Brian R. Bowman
Private John P. Dion

Ritter to Sign Bills Saturday

Gov. Bill Ritter will sign six bills into law Saturday.

According to a press release issued by spokesperson Evan Dreyer, Ritter will okay SB 126, HB 1059, HB 1237, HB 1213, SB 104 and SB 144 at signing ceremonies in Denver, Arvada and Broomfield.

SB 126 renews the provision of state law allowing taxpayers to donate part of their refund to the multiple sclerosis fund. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, and Rep. Dennis Apuan, D-Colorado Springs.

HB 1059 mandates continuing coverage http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6077175309734867272by health insurers when policyholders participate in clinical tests. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield, and Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora.

HB 1237 is a measure relating to state payments for the education of disabled youth. It was sponsored by Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield, and Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont.

HB 1213, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, and Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, creates a state housing development grant fund in order to facilitate construction of additional affordable housing.

SB 104 requires Colorado child welfare regulators to provided foster children being emancipated with relevant and certified identity documents, including birth certificates and social security cards, at state expense. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver, and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada.

SB 144 makes changes to the function, composition and procedures of the state Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was sponsored by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada.