Winners

1. House and Senate Republicans- The House and Senate GOP caucuses overwhelmingly influenced this year’s legislative session. Even with massive majorities in both chambers, Legislative Democrats just could not seem to move the ball on their agenda without it completely blowing up in their faces. Why? Because the minority party had them scared shitless. The Dems capitulated on so many of their key issues and so timidly wielded their majority status that it is hard to see how Liberal activists could be excited about reelecting them.

2. Josh Penry- Penry led the fight on the Senate Floor against so many bad proposals that it is difficult to know where to begin. The Liberal blogosphere continually attacked him with everything they had and it just never stuck. Clearly Penry emerges out of this session as a winner and someone who is uniquely positioned as a leader in the Republican Party.

3. Cory Gardner-No one works harder than Gardner does. The guy is everywhere and always has a smile on his face and a positive demeanor. Gardner will be unstoppable in his run for the 4^th CD and his performance this session proves it.

4. Free Market Activists- Just about no one can remember a larger crowd amassing at the capitol that this year’s tea party protest. Estimated at over 5000 people large the crowd was so large that capitol insiders say the tax and spending House Democrats literally had to shut down debate in the House at times because of the crowd noise.

5. Scott Tipton-Tipton has emerged as a stellar freshman legislator. In his first year he is already taking leadership on tough issues such as Katie’s Law. Tipton is one to keep an eye on for the future.

Losers

1. Colorado Taxpayers- Colorado Democrats went on a tax and fee raising bender that would make Pelosi’s Washington crew proud. From higher car taxes to cigarette taxes Colorado taxpayers are going to be seeing major increases to their cost of living all across the board. Way to go Democrats.

2. Bill Ritter-There really is not too much left to say about this bozo. $80,000 sightseeing trips to China, Check, zero leadership on the economy, Check, pissing off one of the most important industries in the state, Check. Nothing spells L-O-S-E-R like R-I-T-T-E-R right now and EVERYONE knows it.

3. Gail (Failed) Swartz- She is nearing the end of her first Senate term and she still can’t even explain her own bills. This Aspen Democrat just doesn’t have the chops to represent her largely rural Senate District and this year proved it. She is just one of many House and Senate Dems who are going to be looking for new jobs in 2010. Swartz loses big-time next November.

4. Fake Liberal Progressive Moveon type groups- These jokers have seen their worst year yet. Colorado Media Matters shut down, the Colorado Independent laid off nearly all of their staff and Michael Sluttner of ProgressNowColorado can no longer get quoted to save his life. Yup, everyone is sick and tired of these fake activist groups and their incessant bullshit. These guys had some clever moments in the past but their day is done.

5. Democrat Rhetoric- Hope, Change, how about the most partisan year in the legislature that anyone can remember. Democrats empty and vapid promises of hope and change have been a major letdown.

( - written by a friend of the site - )