James Coleman (Colorado)

James Coleman

Democratic Party

Colorado State Senate District 33

Tenure

2021 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

4

Predecessor

Angela Williams

Prior offices

Colorado House of Representatives District 7

Successor: Jennifer Bacon

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Compensation

Base salary

43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021.

Per diem

For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $45/day. For legislators living more than 50 miles from the capitol: $237/day.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Oral Roberts University

Personal

Birthplace

Denver, Colo.

Profession

Executive

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

James Coleman (Democratic Party) is a member of the Colorado State Senate, representing District 33. He assumed office on January 13, 2021. His current term ends on January 10, 2029.

Coleman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado State Senate to represent District 33. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Coleman was selected as president of the Senate effective January 15, 2025.

Biography

James Coleman was born in Denver, Colorado. Coleman earned a B.A. in psychology from Oral Roberts University. His career experience includes working as the vice president of community engagement for ACE Scholarships and vice president of the board of directors at Highline Academy. Coleman has served as a member of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce, INROADS, and the Urban League of Metro Denver Young Professionals.

Committee assignments

2025-2026

Coleman was assigned to the following committees:

• Executive Committee, Chair
• Legislative Council Committee, Chair

2023-2024

Coleman was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Business, Labor, and Technology Committee
• Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, Chair

2021-2022

Coleman was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Council Committee
• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Business, Labor, and Technology Committee
• Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, Vice chair

2019-2020

Coleman was assigned to the following committees:

• House Education Committee
• House Appropriations Committee
• House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, Vice chair

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Colorado committee assignments, 2017
• Business Affairs and Labor
• Local Government

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Colorado State Senate District 33

Incumbent James Coleman defeated Max Minnig in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 33 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman (D)	81.8	56,129
		Max Minnig (R)	18.2	12,452

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 68,581
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 33

Incumbent James Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 33 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman	100.0	15,492

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,492
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 33

Max Minnig advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 33 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Max Minnig	100.0	1,416

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,416
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Coleman in this election.

2020

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Colorado State Senate District 33

James Coleman defeated Jerry Burton in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 33 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman (D)	91.0	75,702
	Submit photo	Jerry Burton (Unity Party)	9.0	7,482

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 83,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 33

James Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 33 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman	100.0	40,537

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,537
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jonathan Postal (D)
• Angela Williams (D)

Unity Party convention

Unity Party convention for Colorado State Senate District 33

Jerry Burton advanced from the Unity Party convention for Colorado State Senate District 33 on April 4, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Jerry Burton (Unity Party)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Colorado House of Representatives District 7

Incumbent James Coleman defeated Jay Kucera in the general election for Colorado House of Representatives District 7 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman (D)	83.6	27,272
	Submit photo	Jay Kucera (R)	16.4	5,338

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 32,610
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 7

Incumbent James Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 7 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Coleman	100.0	10,861

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 10,861
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 7

Jay Kucera advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado House of Representatives District 7 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jay Kucera	100.0	1,422

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,422
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016. Incumbent Angela Williams (D) did not seek re-election.

James Coleman ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 7 general election.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 7 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	James Coleman  (unopposed)
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

James Coleman defeated Elet Valentine and Michele Wheeler in the Colorado House of Representatives District 7 Democratic primary.

Colorado House of Representatives, District 7 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	James Coleman	41.37%	2,629
	Democratic	Elet Valentine	18.57%	1,180
	Democratic	Michele Wheeler	40.06%	2,546
Total Votes				6,355

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

James Coleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

James Coleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Coleman's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“	Education: We have much work to do to ensure school quality and expand educational options. We cannot take the traditional “one size fits all” approach to educating our very diverse population of students. Instead, let’s provide meaningful support to schools that are currently struggling, build new schools to accommodate this rapidly growing section of Denver, and be innovative in ways that truly equip all students for success in their chosen path – college, career, and life. Public safety: We need better understanding, mutually held expectations, and improved relationships between law enforcement and our communities. Health & wellness: Our community has unmet needs around health, healthcare, and access to healthy food options. Jobs & Strong economy: We need to create the conditions for our small businesses—the backbone of our local economy—to thrive.	”
—James Coleman

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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James Coleman campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Colorado State Senate District 33	Won general	$167,389	$154,365
2020	Colorado State Senate District 33	Won general	$103,126	N/A**
2018	Colorado House of Representatives District 7	Won general	$34,387	N/A**
2016	Colorado House of Representatives, District 7	Won	$53,471	N/A**
Grand total			$358,373	$154,365
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Colorado

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 8. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Cobalt Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBTQ+ issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Colorado Education Association: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes related to education reflection and on how well legislators worked with educators to advance the CEA's priorities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.

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Colorado State Senate District 33

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Angela Williams (D)	Colorado State Senate District 33 2021-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Colorado House of Representatives District 7 2017-2021	Succeeded by Jennifer Bacon (D)

[show]

Current members of the Colorado State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:James Coleman

Majority Leader:Robert Rodriguez

Minority Leader:Cleave Simpson

Senators

District 1

Byron Pelton (R)

District 2

Lisa Frizell (R)

District 3

Nick Hinrichsen (D)

District 4

Mark Baisley (R)

District 5

Marc Catlin (R)

District 6

Cleave Simpson (R)

District 7

Janice Rich (R)

District 8

Dylan Roberts (D)

District 9

Lynda Zamora Wilson (R)

District 10

Larry Liston (R)

District 11

Thomas Exum (D)

District 12

Marc Snyder (D)

District 13

Scott Bright (R)

District 14

Cathy Kipp (D)

District 15

Janice Marchman (D)

District 16

Chris Kolker (D)

District 17

Katie Wallace (D)

District 18

Judy Amabile (D)

District 19

Lindsey Daugherty (D)

District 20

Lisa Cutter (D)

District 21

Dafna Jenet (D)

District 22

Jessie Danielson (D)

District 23

Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)

District 24

Kyle Mullica (D)

District 25

Faith Winter (D)

District 26

Jeff Bridges (D)

District 27

Tom Sullivan (D)

District 28

Mike Weissman (D)

District 29

Iman Jodeh (D)

District 30

John Carson (R)

District 31

Matt Ball (D)

District 32

Robert Rodriguez (D)

District 33

James Coleman (D)

District 34

Julie Gonzales (D)

District 35

Rodney Pelton (R)

Democratic Party (23)

Republican Party (12)