In the latest move of perhaps the toughest chess match taking place on the Senate floor this year, Senate President Peter Groff once again ducked a fine from his colleagues this morning.

Groff, a Denver Democrat who wields the gavel most days in the Senate, has been levying lighthearted fines on senators this year for breaking rules on the Senate floor or cursing in his office. But, while Groff was out of town receiving an award late last week, members of the Senate decided to go for a little payback.

Saying that Groff had not checked with the majority and minority leaders prior to his absence, as is tradition, Senate President Pro Tem Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, smacked a whopping $10 combined fine on Groff.

“Mr. President,” Tapia said this morning in informing Groff of the penalty, “as you know when you’re gone … I want to do the best to follow your fine example.”

“‘Fine’ example!” Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, hooted from his seat.

Groff, though, pulled rank and held up a copy of the legislature’s pink book, which has on its cover a list of legislative leaders.

“I would suggest that you take a look at the first name here and either pay my fine or let the secretary know you were mistaken,” Groff said, with mock seriousness.

“Duly noted, Mr. President,” Tapia responded.

Last week, Groff wiggled out of another fine slapped on him when he was away by telling the Senate secretary to overturn the fine. Which begs the question: What’s it going to take to get a fine to stick to Groff?