Speaker of the Colorado House Andrew Romanoff of Denver is making it clear he has no intention of being a one-term wonder in his new position. He is quickly moving to solidify Democratic control over the House by taking the unusual step of naming a freshman, Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction [2], to the powerful Joint Budget Committee. Romanoff understands that Grand Junction is traditionally Republican territory, and putting Buescher on the JBC will help Buescher when he has to run for re-election. The move also sends a message that the Democrats intend to develop a political presence west of the Continental Divide. In case anyone missed the significance of what Romanoff was doing, he spelled it out in an interview with the Grand Junction Sentinel:

"I think it's important to have someone from the Western Slope to bring balance to the budget committee," Romanoff said. "In the end, I think our team on the JBC will end up looking a lot like Colorado."

A Mesa County native and former cabinet member under Gov. Roy Romer, Buescher may prove to be the right person to establish a Democratic foothold in the Grand Valley.