Lucero becomes Chief of Staff to Garcia

DENVER — Senate President Leroy Garcia announced today that James Lucero, a hard-charging Democrat, has agreed to become his Chief of Staff.

“James is a first-generation college graduate, has a strong work ethic, and proves that growing up in small-town doe not limit the ability to become a successful public servant,” said Garcia. “The Chief of Staff needs to be someone who results-oriented, and no I know is better at getting things done than James. We make a great team.” In the 2019 legislative session, Lucero served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and shared many of the duties to the Chief of Staff, Lisa LaBriola, his predecessor.

Originally from Alamosa, Lucero’s first time spent in the Capitol was as a Colorado State University intern, where he graduated Cum Laude, majoring in political science and minoring in sociology and an interdisciplinary certificate in diversity in law. Lucero then began work at the State Capitol in 2013, when he served as a legislative aid to veteran Representative Edward Vigil (D-Alamosa).

After several years as an aid, Lucero moved outside the building, helping to re-elect many democratic members in 2016. After the 2016 election, speaker Crisanta Duran named Lucero as her Advisor and Executive Assistant. After a year Guzman named him the Senate’s Deputy Policy Director. Shortly after the 2018 session, Chief of Staff Lisa LaBriola promoted him to her Deputy where they continued into the 2019 session as members of the new Democratic majority.

“James is relentlessly dedicated to serving our caucus, and I am excited to see him take this next step in his leadership.” Senator Julie Gonzales echoed. “He brings strong values, hard work, humor, and a get-it-done attitude to our team. I can’t wait to see all that we accomplish together in this upcoming legislative session.”

“I’m grateful for the confidence President Garcia and the caucus have shown me,” Lucero said. “I know what an honor and a privilege it is to serve in this capacity, and I am humbled by the responsibility we owe the people of this great state. I take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to continuing in the footsteps of Lisa.”

Lucero is the son of Mark and Natalie Lucero of Alamosa and the grandson of Eddie Lopez also of Alamosa.


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