Lawmaker set to resign seat

Sen. Jennifer Veiga, the first openly gay lawmaker in the legislature, plans to resign at the end of this session and move to Australia with her partner.

 "We're really excited," she said. "It's the right thing for us to do now."

Veiga has been with her partner, Bronyn Russell, for 15 years next month. Russell is from Australia and wants to be closer to her mother, who had to move into assisted living a year ago, Veiga said.

Veiga, D-Denver, has served in the legislature since first being elected in 1996. She was House minority leader before becoming a senator, where she's chairwoman of the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee.

"It's been fun, but being in the majority has been a lot more fun," said Veiga.

Republican Sens. Josh Penry, of Grand Junction, and Nancy Spence, of Centennial, said the Senate is going to miss Veiga.

"She's a good and decent person, and she's smart and has common sense," Spence said. "She's the pick of the litter. "

Said Penry: "The collective IQ of the Senate benefited immensely from Senator Veiga. She's a brilliant mind and a skilled legislator. "

Veiga in 2002 publicly announced she was gay after being told some Republicans planned to use it against her in her election campaign. She had never hid her sexuality before, but had not publicly talked about it either.

Since then, Veiga has sponsored legislation to try to give gays the same rights that other Coloradans have.

Veiga, 46, is an attorney. Russell is a golf pro. Veiga said neither of them have jobs lined up yet.

The session ends in early May. Veiga said she's not sure yet exactly what day she will resign. A Democratic vacancy committee will appoint her successor.

Bookmark/Search this post with: