Statehouse Dem spokeswomen leaving for private sector jobs

The Democratic caucuses in the state Senate and House of Representatives will have new chief media relations officers next year.

Veteran House Democratic spokeswoman Katie Reinisch and Democratic Senate caucus spokeswoman Abigail Vacanti are returning to the private sector.

Reinisch and her husband aim to become entrepreneurs. They plan to open a frozen yogurt franchise in Denver, Reinisch said in an e-mail message.

"After four wonderful sessions in the majority, working for the inspiring Speakers Romanoff and Carroll and with top-notch bosses Kelly Nordini, Will Coyne and Jen Walmer, I had decided months ago that if we lost the majority in the House, I would leave," Reinisch said.

"There's many reasons why: I'm too old and spoiled to lose the clout of the majority, to face a one-third pay cut in the minority, and to have to cut back programs I believe in so that we can continue to balance the budget," she continued.

Reinisch said that her and her husband want to "leave something for our teenage girls to build upon."

"And we hope we will have more money and time for philanthropy, especially with ASAP which brings Denver volunteers to Tanzania to work alongside locals building schools," she explained. "Our whole family is returning this summer for our second ASAP trip."

ASAP is an acronym for The Africa School Assistance Project.

According to a report in the Denver Post, Vacanti will join a public relations firm.

Vacanti was unavailable for comment as this article was posted.

The story by the Post's Jessica Fender indicates that the House Democratic caucus' chief of staff, Jen Walmer, is also leaving her job.

Mullarkey leaves state supreme court

Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey's long tenure on the state supreme court ended Tuesday.

Mullarkey, who announced her retirement in June, had been a justice since 1987 and chief justice since 1998.

The 66-year old veteran jurist did not offer any public statements about her departure on Tuesday.

Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Monica Marquez, a deputy attorney general, to replace Mullarkey.

Marquez will be sworn in Dec. 10.

Justice Michael Bender has been selected by his colleagues on the high court to be the next chief justice.

Romer to leave Senate to seek Denver mayor's job

Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, is leaving the legislature.

Romer, who was elected to second term in the Senate Nov. 2, announced Tuesday that he will resign his seat so that he can seek election as Denver's mayor.

He made his announcement at a meeting of business advocates, promising to balance the city's budget.

Early speculation has Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, being the most likely replacement for Romer.

A district 32 vacancy committee will have to make that decision, and McCann won't be the only option the members have.

According to a report in Wednesday's Denver Post, Denver Democratic Party secretary Owen Perkins, former federal civil servant Jeff Hart, physician Irene Aguilar, and environmentalist Matt Royster may also seek the appointment.

If McCann is appointed to fill the remainder of Romer's term, which would expire in January 2015, she would also be replaced in House district 8 by a vacancy committee.

Ritter's chief of staff to leave job

Gov. Bill Ritter's chief of staff is leaving the post to return to the private sector.

Jim Carpenter, who has held the job since Ritter became governor, plans to join a public affairs firm.

Carpenter managed U.S. Interior secretary Ken Salazar's successful 2004 run for a U.S. Senate seat and also worked for former Gov. Roy Romer and former U.S. Sen. Timothy Wirth.

He'll work with Mike Stratton, another former Salazar staffer, at a public affairs firm.

Senate secretary Goldman out, report says

The long-time secretary of the state Senate has left her job.

That's according to a report in today's State Bill News, which quotes Senate president Brandon Shaffer's chief of staff as saying Karen Goldman was fired.

An appointment as Senate secretary is bipartisan. It is one of six non-partisan staff appointments in the chamber.

Goldman served two years in the job between 2001-2003 and then held it again from 2005 until her tenure ended as a result of the decision to dismiss her.

Rep. Scanlan to join Hickenlooper's staff

Rep. Christine A. Scanlan, D-Summit County, is leaving the legislature to join Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper's administration.

Scanlan, who was re-elected Nov. 2, will serve as Hickenlooper's chief legislative strategist.

"It is extremely difficult leaving a job I love representing people who I deeply respect," Scanlan said. "But I plan to continue serving the hardworking people of my district while working for a Governor dedicated to turning Colorado around and positioning the state for great things in the future."

Appointed to the House in Jan. 2008, Scanlan served as majority whip in the 67th General Assembly. She was the principal House sponsor of a major educational reform bill signed into law and was an advocate for the teacher-tenure reform law enacted earlier this year.

Scanlan also led efforts to address forest health issues caused by an infestation of bark beetles.

She is a former president of the Summit County board of education.

A district 56 vacancy committee will choose Scanlan's replacement after her resignation becomes effective.

Senate Republican leader announces committee assignments

The Republican party did not win a majority in the state Senate in this month's election, but the addition of several new GOP members to the General Assembly's upper chamber will cause some changes in the body's committee assignments.

Minority leader Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, announced those changes today. Here, listed by committee, are the Republican members for the 68th General Assembly:

Business Affairs, Labor & Technology

Sen. Al White, R-Hayden - Ranking Member
Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray - Ranking Member
Harvey
White

Finance

Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs - Ranking Member
Brophy
Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker

Judiciary

Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud - Ranking Member
K. King
Scheffel

Education

Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial - Ranking Member
K. King
Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley

Local Government & Energy

Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango - Ranking Member
Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs
Sen. Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City

State, Veterans & Military Affairs

Cadman - Ranking Member
Grantham

Health & Human Services

Mitchell - Ranking Member
Lundberg
Roberts

Transportation

Renfroe - Ranking Member
King
Spence

Appropriations

Harvey - Ranking Member
Grantham
Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs
White

Audit

K. King
Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction

Legislative Council

Kopp
Cadman
Renfroe
Scheffel

Legal Services

Brophy
Roberts

Capital Development

Renfroe

Joint Budget Committee

Lambert

Cadman will serve as assistant minority leader, while Scheffel will be the GOP caucus chair. Renfroe will be the minority whip.