ALAMOSA — With the 2024 election in the rear-view mirror and only the official certification of the results remaining, both newly re-elected state legislators representing the San Luis Valley have been voted into leadership roles in their respective political parties.  

Rep. Matt Martinez, a Democrat representing District 62, will serve as the new co-whip for the Democratic Party, and Sen. Cleave Simpson, a Republican representing District 6, will serve as assistant minority leader for the Republican Party. 

Holding such leadership roles is especially noteworthy given that both lawmakers are just entering their second term in office.  

During his first term in office, Martinez hit the ground running by introducing five pieces of legislation within just the first few weeks, at least one of which had a co-sponsor in the Senate and all of which were signed into law. Since then, he has not just strengthened his already strong legislative record, he has also brought groups of fellow legislators to the San Luis Valley for the purpose of giving them real time, in person exposure to the unique needs of local communities.  

When asked to comment on his new leadership role, Martinez told the Valley Courier, “I’m honored to be elected as the House majority co-whip for the 75th General Assembly. This election shows that my colleagues value the rural and southern Colorado voice when it comes to policy. This provides the San Luis Valley with a bigger voice at the Capitol and brings our needs to the forefront of the conversation.” 

The role of a whip in state government is largely that of communicator between party leadership and party members in office while also making certain to align those lawmakers around the party’s platform. Martinez will be serving alongside Rep. Iman Jodeh who represents District 41, Arapahoe County. 

Almost from the beginning of his first term, Sen. Simpson garnered tremendous respect from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle as evidenced by the number of bi-partisan bills he has introduced and gotten passed into law with unanimous support in both the Senate and the House. Simpson has often said that he decided to run for office to help guide water policy at the state level. SB22-028 was just one indicator of his success in that area. By unanimous vote, the bill appropriated $60 million to help finance reduction of groundwater usage and sustainability efforts in the Rio Grande and Republican River Basins. 

As assistant minority leader, Simpson will be working with Sen. Paul Lundeen, Republican minority leader who represents District 9, El Paso County. 

“Serving in this role will help elevate the opportunity to engage at a higher level with the leadership on the Democratic side about some of the rural challenges that we have,” Simpson told the Valley Courier. “I feel pretty fortunate in that space as the president-elect of the Senate – James Coleman – and I started together in the Senate four years ago, and our families have even spent time together.” Senator Coleman represents District 33, which includes Denver County. 

“The mold is cast,” Simson said, “to help those folks that don’t always get a chance to see what rural Colorado is like. I intend to leverage that in that space.”  

In addition to helping the minority leader, what Simpson will be doing as assistant minority leader “isn’t that different from being a senator,” he’ll just be doing it with “bigger and broader” groups. “I’ll be readily available for caucus members and lobbyists and constituents and the general public, those groups who are interested in having an opportunity to engage with me and express their thoughts and concerns.” 

 While official results have not yet been certified, Democrats retained control in the state legislature. In the House, Democrats won 43 seats, compared to 20 for Republicans with two seats still undecided. Currently, Democrats hold a 46-19 advantage. 

In the Senate, Democrats will keep 23 seats with Republicans holding 12. Each party flipped one seat, keeping the numbers consistent with last year’s make-up.