Lawmakers’ pay influences debates and votes on bills

BY JESSE PAUL AND ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN

The 100 state lawmakers in Colorado earn about $42,000 a year for their work at the Capitol, placing them in the middle of the pack compared to their counterparts across the U.S. when it comes to how much they’re paid to draft, debate and vote on bills.

That influences who runs to be a state representative or senator, which in turn determines which legislation passes or fails.

A Colorado Sun analysis of state lawmaker salaries compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures places Colorado 19th on the salary list. Colorado legislators earn more than counterparts in any bordering state except Oklahoma.

State senators whose terms began before January earn a salary of $41,449. Senators whose terms began in January, as well as all House members, make $43,977.

The salaries are set at 25% of a county judge’s salary, which through 2026 is $175,908. Salaries for state lawmakers, as well as state-level statewide elected officials, are recalculated every four years based on changes to judicial officers’ salaries.

Colorado lawmakers who live within 50 miles of the Capitol — a large portion, if not the majority, of the legislature — are also eligible to receive a per diem of $45 for each of the 120 days the General Assembly is in session each year, which adds up to $5,400. Those who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol are entitled to about $237 per legislative day, which totals $28,440.

That’s in addition to mileage.

For reference, the median household income in Colorado is $80,000, according to the U.S.