Colorado: Bernie Buescher

Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday appointed a committee to oversee spending of Colorado's share of the federal stimulus package.

The state is estimated to receive some $2.8 billion in federal funds over the next several years, but officials are still analyzing specific amounts that could be used for education, health care and other needs to balance the state budget.

"The recovery act presents an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen Colorado's economy and create new jobs all across the state," Ritter said in a statement. "With this opportunity also comes a need for additional monitoring to ensure the funds are invested effectively, efficiently and wisely, and with an unprecedented level of oversight, transparency and accountability.

A cash fund two Mesa County state representatives fought to refill last year, the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund, will survive the brunt of the year’s budget cuts, Joint Budget Committee staff told a joint session of the state Senate and House today.

Reps. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, and Steve King, R-Grand Junction, worked together last year — after a brief tussle — to refill the fund, which issues grants to underwrite veterans programs and service projects.

The budget plan will leave $4.3 million of the fund’s money in place.

*King photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.

Before a room packed with political allies and occasional foes, former state Rep. Bernie Buescher was sworn in as Colorado's secretary of state Wednesday.

"I regard the secretary of state's office as, in many ways, the guardian of our constitutional democracy," Buescher, a Democrat from Grand Junction, said after taking the oath of office. "I will do everything in my power to make the process as transparent and as effective as it can be."

In a testament to Buescher's popularity at the Capitol, Republican and Democratic state lawmakers alike came out to watch an event also attended by a number of other state officials, lobbyists and political players.

Colorado lawmakers return to the golden dome today in a somber mood as they kick off a 2009 legislative session dominated by a bleak budget. But they're holding out hope they can pass a plan to fix the state's roads and craft a proposal that could boost health care coverage for the uninsured poor. Some see that hope coming by way of appeals to bipartisanship from leaders on both sides.

"I'm a firm believer that when you have great challenges," new House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, said, "you also have great opportunities."

Here are previews of six areas expected to provide the most action this legislative session.