Face the State

Gosh, did the year really go by that fast? What a crazy fun year it was, guys! (Don't worry, we won't tell anyone what you said at the Red Room Wednesday night. Our little secret!) So, like, here's our legislative superlatives for 2009. Mike May's cross-dressing on the last day of session came too late to make the cut, but we've been taking notes all year. Keep in touch, okay? Friends 4eva!

Least likely to commit Sen. Dan Gibbs Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, doesn't like to make anyone mad. He's got a reputation around the Capitol for his inability to tell anyone "no" when they ask him to sponsor an amendment or bill. Problem is, he also has trouble saying "yes." Gibbs just can't commit because he wants everybody to like him. Of course, this backfires on him more often than not. Gibbs sponsored the session's major transportation bill, dubbed "FASTER," which saw contention surrounding whether to allow for additional tolling on state roads. Republicans successfully persuaded Gibbs to remove tolling from the bill, only to see him amend it back in.	Best dressed Rep. Terrance Carroll House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, declined to be included on our Hottest Politicos list, but we would be remiss if we didn't give him the best dressed award of 2009. Carroll sports some of the sharpest suits on the Hill, and he isn't afraid of accessorizing (his ties) with color. It's important to look good when you're on TV every day, even if it is just the Colorado Channel that broadcasts live coverage of the House floor.
Most likely to throw a temper tantrum and quit Former Rep. Anne McGihon Former Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, better get her way or else. This feisty redhead announced her retirement from the legislature last month after a rough start to the session. Earlier in the year, she ran for House Speaker but lost to Carroll. Shortly after the leadership election, Carroll demoted McGihon from her position as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and appointed Rep. Jim Reisberg, D-Greeley, to replace her. It didn't take McGihon long to find another job. She tearfully said goodbye to the statehouse last month and now works for the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Akerman, Senterfitt. Hopefully, her new colleagues won't mind the drama.	Best hair Rep. Don Marostica Of all the awards we could give so-called "maverick" Rep. Don Marostica, a Democrat - we mean Republican--from Loveland, best hair seemed the most fitting and least mean. Marostica has been busy this session tooling with the state budget, eliminating growth caps that prevent excessive spending on entitlement programs, and selling out transparency - but who cares about all that? This silver fox has a great head of hair and when paired with his adorable Harry Potter glasses, it's hard to stay mad at him for siding with Democrats on nearly every important issue of the session.
Lawmaker we'd most like to party with Sen. Chris Romer Without a doubt, this honor must go to Sen. Chris Romer. This Denver Democrat has been trying to position himself as a moderate all session and has even been guilty of invoking the name of leading conservative Jon Caldara to bolster his argument for sentencing reform. Romer, however, has also been dealt some tough political blows. He's had to kill two of his big bills this session after working for months to garner enough votes on a proposal to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and the National Popular Vote bill. Such disappointments would drive any of us to drink. Sen. Romer, we'll be seeing you later at the Diamond.	Most likely to be missed Former Sen. Peter Groff Outgoing Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, is definitely going to be missed, and not just because no one can stand his replacement, current Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont. Last year, we gave Groff the Golden Boy Award for the endlessly positive press he received when taking up the gavel as the Senate's first black president. Now, he's snagged a position in the Obama administration as director for the nation's Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center. Groff is an outspoken supporter of school choice, an opponent of the business personal property tax, and one of the most intellectually powerful members of the General Assembly. His leadership will be missed by those on both sides of the aisle.
Best capitol reporting Jason Kosena Jason Kosena has hopped around quite a bit over the last couple of years, but he's stayed true to his passion of covering Colorado politics. He got his start at the Fort Collins Coloradoan, but last year, the paper had to cut its capitol beat. Kosena then went to work for the Colorado Independent. Despite the publication's obvious liberal bias, Kosena remains a principled journalist, keeping his coverage of the 2008 election as fair as possible. Now, he's landed at the Capitol's institutional paper, The Colorado Statesman. The paper only publishes once a week, but Kosena manages to keep his stories relevant days later. He's not a bad photographer, either.	Least likely to graduate Rep. Karen Middleton Sometimes we wonder if Rep. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora, takes her job seriously at all. In 2008, she took a week off during the session's contentious budget debate to vacation in Puerto Vallarta with her family. This was only weeks after being appointed her current seat, which required leaving her post on the state Board of Education. Less than a year later, Middleton applied for a post in the Obama administration as regional director of the Education Department. She was also one of several Democrats who expressed interest in running in a potential special election to replace Congressman Ed Perlmutter when he was still being considered for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Ken Salazar. Actively looking for another job is the surest sign Middleton has already checked out of her current one.
Foot in mouth award Scott Renfroe (Honorable mention: Evie Hudak) No contest here. This award must go to Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, who provoked outrage when he compared homosexuality to murder, and quoted Biblical verse saying gay men should be put to death. Honorable mention: Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Arvada, was caught speechless during a debate about school transparency. After a fellow senator called Hudak out for what he labeled an “interesting school expenditure,” which included $103.81 on two lunches for Hudak and Jeffco Superintendent Cindy Stevenson, Hudak become visibly red in the face.
Most likely to get audited Rep. Jack Pommer For someone who works on the powerful Joint Budget Committee Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, sure is bad when it comes to managing the finances of his candidate committee. Even after getting nailed by the media for nearly $20,000 of fines related to delinquent campaign finance reports, Pommer continued to file late and misreport information.	Most likely to microchip, er, micromanage your life Rep. Cherilyn Peniston Early in the session, Rep. Cherylin Peniston, D-Westminster, sponsored a bill mandating the micro-chipping of domestic cats in cities. We shouldn't need to explain the nannyism inherent in that bill, but she didn't stop there. Peniston also sponsored legislation requiring private agencies to monitor state-run driving schools (can you say bureaucracy?!) and another bill that raised motor vehicle fees in the name of collecting money for emergency services. Her micro-chipping bill was quickly killed in February, but stay on the lookout for this micromanaging legislator.
Best union steward Rep. Ed Casso Senate Bill 180, legislation seeking to override the local will of voters and impose collective bargaining on all local police and fire departments, and House Bill 1170, which gives workers locked-out in labor disputes access to unemployment benefits, were both sponsored by Rep. Ed Casso, D-Commerce City. Despite a $1.4 billion budget shortfall and the fact that collective bargaining leads to overtaxing government budgets through increased payroll costs, Casso felt like it was the appropriate time to introduce these pieces of legislation. So what if the bills kick Colorado's economy while its down? The guys at the union hall have got his back, at the state house and on the campaign trail.	Most likely to protest sex ed class Sen. Dave Schultheis Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, is well known for his conservative stance on controversial issues, including illegal immigration and abortion. His comment about unwed mothers and HIV definitely qualifies him for the Foot-in-Mouth award, but if the Capitol really were a high school, Schultheis would be the one to protest against teaching teens about pregnancy prevention. Still, we've got to admire his dedication to his ideology. He could probably teach Gibbs a thing or two.
Best "tweets" Sen. Greg Brophy This session, legislators were all about the social networking site Twitter, which allows members to post brief status updates online. No "tweets" have been more fun to follow than those posted by Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray. His tweets are not only informative and timely regarding Senate floor, they also offer political insight and zingers aimed at the majority party.	Most underappreciated Rep. Ellen Roberts Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, is oftentimes an underestimated power player in the state House. She represents four counties in rural Colorado and sits on the three important committees. This session, Roberts fought Democrats on the Electoral College bill and added a much needed voice of reason to House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann's proposal for a mid-session recess.When an early session scandal rocked the House minority office, Roberts defended her colleagues and turned media attention toward the positive legislative gains being made by Republicans. Roberts was reelected to a second term in 2008 and is likely to continue her quiet style of leadership into 2010 and beyond.
Master orator Sen. Shawn Mitchell After a three-hour filibuster in protest of a bill that punishes school districts for choosing to "re-Bruce," it became clear that Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, would be captain of the Capitol debate team if such a thing existed. Mitchell's late night filibuster kept his colleagues working longer than usual, but it was undeniably eloquent and purposeful. Although ultimately unsuccessful in his attempt to stop the passage of Senate Bill 291, Mitchell, who won last year's "Straight Talker" superlative, proved to his fellow Representatives once again he's got the gift of gab.	Rising star award Rep. Frank McNulty This lovable prankster from Highlands Ranch is on the fast track to a hot political career. Only in his second term, he is the favorite to succeed House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, upon May's retirement. McNulty has already established himself as a leader within the GOP for his ability to effectively message the conservative perspective on controversial issues. All we have to say to you Rep. McNulty is, "Really? Really?" If you don't get the joke, you don't know our dear Frank. But if he keeps on his same trajectory, you will get to know him.
Most likely to manufacture a scandal Chantell Taylor Chantell Taylor's liberal litigation group, Colorado Ethics Watch, spends more time looking for trouble than fighting unethical behavior. On her Republican hit list this session were newly elected Congressman Mike Coffman and northern Colorado political consultant Andrew Boucher, who unsuccessfully ran for Fort Collins City Council this Spring. Earlier this year, Taylor even had the nerve to go after likely U.S. Senate candidate and Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier - a politico known for his candor and honesty. But when Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, failed to file his campaign finance reports on time, Taylor responded with nothing more than a proverbial slap on the wrist. So much for nonpartisan.
Best at disguising himself as bipartisan Rep. Wes McKinley Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, has worked closely with Republicans this session to fight Gov. Bill Ritter's new oil and gas regulations. While it seems like a good opportunity for McKinley to flex his bipartisan muscle, this self-proclaimed cowboy represents a district heavily vested in the oil and gas industry, making us think he's really disguising an attempt to protect his seat by appearing friendly to the right.	Most likely to rob you blind Sen. Brandon Shaffer It's not that Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, is likely to mug you in a dark alley off Colfax or anything, but his attempt to raid Pinnacol Assurance's cash reserves definitely counts as theft of the worst kind. Although the proposal was ultimately defeated, Shaffer fought long and hard for his plan to steal private assets to cover the state's estimated $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Now that Groff is headed to D.C. to work for President Obama, Shaffer will be taking over the gavel in 2010, a change that already has Republicans longing for Groff.
Most dangerous Rep. Gwyn Green We know you're surprised to see this innocent-looking senior citizen described as dangerous, but she said it first! In an impassioned speech about background checks for gun sales, Rep. Green, D-Lakewood, proclaimed, "I went out to my neighborhood gun shop, purchased a gun, went through the training. Oh my gosh! I was the most dangerous person you could ever meet." Green, who announced she would be giving up her House seat after the session, has since given up her gun, and we think it's probably for the best. After all, it's not like the Capitol security forces are capable of keeping it out of the capitol.	Biggest threat to the Democrat majority Sen. Josh Penry Last year's recipient of the Golden Boy Award, Sen. Josh Penry R-Grand Junction, is continuing to make waves as the Senate Minority leader. His speculated run for governor has the liberal blogosphere all in a tizzy - a sure sign he's doing something right. Penry's strong suit is definitely messaging, and he has successfully labeled his majority counterparts as fiscally irresponsible.
Most likely to get a 'Che' tattoo Rep. Andy Kerr It looks like Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, might graduate from the Capitol in a couple of years without ever passing a basic civics class, where he might learn that the United States isn't a true Democracy; it's a Constitutional Republic. And in this time-tested political system, we don't have a true direct election for president. But don't tell Kerr. His sponsorship of the National Popular Vote bill this session sure upset a lot of people. And we mean a lot of people.	Hottest radio host Amy Oliver Amy Oliver may not be an elected state leader, but her recent activism surrounding transparency has done Colorado a lot of good. One of her blogs, Colorado Spending Transparency, boasts the motto "no taxation without information" and her dedication to the cause has helped further the Colorado Taxpayer Transparency Act. Oliver also hosts a daily radio show on KFKA in northern Colorado that she uses an outlet to spread her message of financial accountability. You go, Amy!
Most likely to be caught doodling during class Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien Oh, Barbara. What is it you do again? That's right, you chair the Commission of Indian Affairs and record a monthly podcast. And then there is that one time you signed a bill into law when the actual governor was vacationing in Italy.	Toughest press job Evan Dreyer When your job is to make your boss look good, you know your job is tough. But when your boss is Bill Ritter, you know your job is really tough. If we were giving a superlative for "most improved press person," Dreyer would likely win that, too. We call Dreyer regularly asking him to defend Ritter's latest escapades and as of late he's been pretty good about getting back to us. In his defense, not everything Ritter does seems to have a good explanation.
Most likely to ditch her party affiliation Sen. Morgan Carroll Westword gave us heat for not including this Aurora Democrat on our Hottest Politicos list in April. They got one thing right, Carroll frequently goes against the grain and stands up against her own party. She may not be a Republican, yet, but she's known to be pretty libertarian leaning and we wouldn't be surprised to see her switch parties one day down the road.	Most surprising pro-business Democrat Rep. Jim Riesberg Rep. Jim "I ride the bus for free" Riesberg may be cheating the government out of money, but he's delivered when the pressure was on for small businesses. He's turned out "no" votes on bad for business bills, including House Bill 1344, which unsuccessfully sought to raise the medical malpractice cap on non-economic damages, and the aforementioned House Bill 1170. Kudos to Riesberg for understanding that small business drives Colorado's economy. Now if he'd just fork out the few bucks required for a bus ticket.
Reporter we'd most like to go home with Lynn Bartels At a recent Republican Lincoln Day dinner, Bartels received a standing ovation from the crowd of 400 in recognition for her work at the Rocky Mountain News prior to its March closure. Lawmakers may have cringed to learn that she jumped over to the Denver Post, taking her tough, hard-hitting coverage with her, but her unique voice at the Capitol means our everlasting crush continues to grow. Plus, she showed up to Face the State's Washington Scandals Halloween party last year, making us wish we could have taken her home right then and there.	Most creative Sean Duffy This consultant thinks outside the box to get the message across. Last year, Duffy brought Duane "Dog The Bounty Hunter" Chapman to the Capitol to testify on a bill that would have enabled the state to offer bail bonds. This year, he organized a group of 7-Eleven clerks to march on the Capitol. Duffy is always surprising colleagues and steers his own course. In 2006, he ran the campaign for Referendum I, which would have legalized civil unions for same-sex couples.
Favorite dark horse gubernatorial candidate Jon Caldara Just remember, you heard it first on Face the State. Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, can deny it all he wants, but we're confident Republicans will see a 2010 run for governor from this rambunctious government watchdog. His empassioned speech at the Tax Day Tea Party rallied the crowd of 10,000 behind his message of smaller government, less taxes, and more accountability. Unfortunately for Caldara, the success of his nightly KOA radio show still doesn't qualify him for the "Hottest Radio Host" superlative. He was edged out by his Independence Institute colleague, Amy Oliver.