Since Colorado became a U.S. state in 1876,[1] it has sent congressional delegations to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, beginning with the 44th United States Congress. Prior to statehood, the Colorado Territory sent non-voting delegates to the House of Representatives from 1861 to 1876.[2] Each state elects two senators to serve for six years, and members of the House to two-year terms. Each state elects two senators to serve for six years in general elections, with their re-election staggered. Prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were elected by the Colorado General Assembly.[3] Each state elects a varying number of, but at least one,[4] member of the House, depending on population, to two-year terms.[5] Colorado has sent eight members to the House in each congressional delegation since the 2020 United States Census.[6]
A total of 80 people have served Colorado in the House and 37 have served Colorado in the Senate. The first of seven women to serve Colorado in Congress was Pat Schroeder, who served in the House from 1973 to 1996.[7] The first and only African-American to have served Colorado in Congress is Joe Neguse.[8]
The current dean, or longest-serving member, of the Colorado delegation is Representative Diana DeGette of the 1st district, who has served in the House since 1997.[9] She is the second-longest serving member of Congress in Colorado history, only behind Edward T. Taylor, who served in the House from 1909 to 1941.[10][11] Henry M. Teller, who served more than 30 years in the Senate,[12] is the longest-serving senator in Colorado history.[13]
- ^ "Today in History – August 1". Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Biographical directory of the United States Congress, 1774–2005: the Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States, from the First through the One Hundred Eighth Congresses, March 4, 1789, to January 3, 2005, inclusive (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 2005. p. 54. ISBN 0-16-073176-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)". National Archives. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
const-12was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Congressional elections and midterm elections". USA.gov. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Historical Apportionment Data (1910–2020)". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. April 26, 2021. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
CAWP-Coloradowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
dp-Negusewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Maltarich, Stephanie (October 17, 2022). "Colorado CD1: Rep. Diana DeGette, Jennifer Qualteri". Colorado Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Sondermann, Eric (January 3, 2021). "Sondermann | Come home, Diana. Pass the torch". Colorado Politics. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Taylor-deathwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Ex-Senator Teller, Free Silverite, Dies". The New York Times. February 24, 1914. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Luning, Ernest (December 18, 2022). "With Bennet's election to a 3rd full term, Colorado senator takes aim at longevity record | Trail Mix". Colorado Politics. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2024.