Jim Smallwood

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Jim Smallwood

Republican Party

Prior offices:

Colorado State Senate District 2

Years in office: 2023 - 2025

Predecessor: Dennis Hisey (R)

Successor: Lisa Frizell (R)

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Colorado State Senate District 4

Years in office: 2017 - 2023

Successor: Mark Baisley (R)

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Fort Hays State University

Personal

Profession

Insurance Broker

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Personal Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Jim Smallwood (Republican Party) was a member of the Colorado State Senate, representing District 2. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. He left office on January 8, 2025.

Smallwood (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado State Senate to represent District 4. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Biography

Jim Smallwood earned a B.B.A. in finance from Fort Hays State University. His professional experience includes owning an insurance brokerage firm.

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Smallwood was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Finance Committee
• Senate Health and Human Services Committee

2021-2022

Smallwood was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Audit Committee, Vice chair
• Legislative Council Committee
• Senate Health and Human Services Committee

2019-2020

Smallwood was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Audit Committee
• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Senate Health and Human Services Committee
• Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Oversight Committee

2017 legislative session

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

Colorado committee assignments, 2017
• Business, Labor and Technology
• Health and Human Services, Chair
• Legislative Audit

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

Jim Smallwood was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

2020

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Colorado State Senate District 4

Incumbent Jim Smallwood defeated Elissa Flaumenhaft and Wayne Harlos in the general election for Colorado State Senate District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Smallwood (R)	62.3	73,832
	Submit photo	Elissa Flaumenhaft (D)	35.0	41,526
	Submit photo	Wayne Harlos (L)	2.7	3,208

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 118,566
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 4

Elissa Flaumenhaft advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Senate District 4 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Elissa Flaumenhaft	100.0	19,997

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,997
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 4

Incumbent Jim Smallwood advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Senate District 4 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Smallwood	100.0	26,061

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,061
= 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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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Colorado State Senate District 4

Wayne Harlos advanced from the Libertarian convention for Colorado State Senate District 4 on April 13, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Wayne Harlos (L)

---

	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.
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2016

See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Colorado State Senate 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 Mark Scheffel (R) did not seek re-election.

Jim Smallwood defeated Christina Riegel in the Colorado State Senate District 4 general election.

Colorado State Senate, District 4 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Smallwood	69.39%	62,981
	Democratic	Christina Riegel	30.61%	27,779
Total Votes				90,760
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Christina Riegel defeated James Clark Huff in the Colorado State Senate District 4 Democratic primary.

Colorado State Senate, District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Christina Riegel	65.87%	2,876
	Democratic	James Clark Huff	34.13%	1,490
Total Votes				4,366

Jim Smallwood defeated Jess Loban and Benjamin Lyng in the Colorado State Senate District 4 Republican primary.

Colorado State Senate, District 4 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Smallwood	39.06%	5,878
	Republican	Jess Loban	22.38%	3,368
	Republican	Benjamin Lyng	38.56%	5,803
Total Votes				15,049

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jim Smallwood did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Smallwood's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“	Promote Economic Prosperity: I will fight government overreach that chases jobs away and support legislation that creates a healthy business environment in our community. I will use my expertise as a business owner to promote ideas that bring more jobs to Colorado. Fiscally Conservative: I pledge to NOT dismantle any parts of The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), or support any legislation that violates the spirit of TABOR. As a leader, I will stand for the principles of free markets, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. I will fight to make sure our government does not spend more than it takes in. A good economy is the solution to many of our state’s problems, NOT more government. Defend the Constitution: I will stand to defend our state’s rights from Federal overreach and unnecessary meddling in our personal lives. I believe strongly that lawmakers must bring forth legislation that clearly defines the proper role of state government, and does not further entangle the state with the Federal government. I am an avid supporter of gun rights. As a decades-long gun-owner and sportsman, I will enthusiastically defend our right to bear arms and our right to self defense. Protect Life: Unlike so many politicians that simply affirm the desire to protect the unborn, I will strive to bring creative ideas and solutions that give women in Colorado safe, affordable and accessible alternatives to abortion. I believe that we must strive to find solutions that protect the most vulnerable members of our society and do not negatively impact our families.	”
—Jim Smallwood

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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Jim Smallwood campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2020	Colorado State Senate District 4	Won general	$76,582	N/A**
2016	Colorado State Senate, District 4	Won	$121,820	N/A**
Grand total			$198,402	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, 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 scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2024.

• 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 organization supports or opposes.
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organization 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2023.

• Colorado AFL-CIO — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organization supports or opposes.
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organization 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2022.

• 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 organization supports or opposes.
• Colorado Cobalt Advocates — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organization 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.
• 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2021.

• 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 Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organization supports or opposes.
• Colorado Education Association — Legislators are scored on their votes related to education reflection and on how well legislators worked with educators to advance the CEA's priorities.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2020.

• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organization supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released a more detailed overview of the legislative session.
• 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.
• 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2019.

• 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 Consumer Health Initiative — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization.
• 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2018.

• 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 Consumer 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 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.
• 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.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Colorado General Assembly in 2017.

• 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 — 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.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on March 23, 2020

See also: Political incumbents, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020

On March 23, 2020, Jim Smallwood announced he tested positive for coronavirus. He tested for the virus on March 17, 2020, after experiencing symptoms, according to The Colorado Sun.

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Candidate

Colorado State Senate District 4

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Dennis Hisey (R)	Colorado State Senate District 2 2023-2025	Succeeded by Lisa Frizell (R)
Preceded by -	Colorado State Senate District 4 2017-2023	Succeeded by Mark Baisley (R)

[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

Adrienne Benavidez (D)

District 22

Jessie Danielson (D)

District 23

Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)

District 24

Kyle Mullica (D)

District 25

William Lindstedt (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)