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Following Recall, Colorado's Newest GOP Lawmakers Sworn In

Bente Birkeland
/
RMCR

Following the ousting of two State Senators in a historic first legislative recall for Colorado, their replacements were sworn in to big applause Thursday.

Senators Bernie Herpin (R-Colorado Springs) and George Rivera (R-Pueblo) are Colorado’s newest state lawmakers, replacing two Democratic state lawmakers, including former Senate President John Morse.

The recalls followed a bitter and divisive 2013 legislative session that included the passing of several bills to enact stricter gun laws.

Herpin pledged to work hard to restore constitutional rights, promote business and protect children. He also says he’ll never forget what got him into office saying, “That we work for the people.”

The Senate will now need to elect a new president. Democrats still hold a one seat majority. 

Bente Birkeland is an award-winning journalist who joined Colorado Public Radio in August 2018 after a decade of reporting on the Colorado state capitol for the Rocky Mountain Community Radio collaborative and KUNC. In 2017, Bente was named Colorado Journalist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and she was awarded with a National Investigative Reporting Award by SPJ a year later.
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