Legislative Aide, Senate Democrats at State of Colorado in Denver, CO

The Legislative Aide serves as the operational support to a legislator's office within the Colorado Senate. The role may provide comprehensive administrative, communications, and constituent services support to a legislator. The position may assist legislators with policy creation, opening the door for careers in politics, government, departments, lobbying, or future public service. This is a year-round hourly position, but requires an extensive commitment during the legislative session (January through May).

Legislators may hire no more than two Legislative Aides at a time. Legislative Aides may be designated as either a “Senior Aide” or “Junior Aide”. Although members may hire up to two Legislative Aides, only one Aide per member may be designated as a Senior Aide. Senior Aides are eligible to receive insurance benefits, but do not have to elect to receive them. Junior Aides are not eligible to receive insurance benefits. Legislators may allocate hours between their two Legislative Aides as they see fit, within certain specific limitations. Because total annual hours are capped, even a single aide will fall slightly short of full-time employment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The essential functions and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of the role and do not constitute an all-inclusive list of tasks. Employees may be required to perform some of these job functions or others as directed by the supervising legislator.

• Manage all day-to-day functions of the legislative office, ensuring administrative tasks run smoothly.
• Own and manage the legislator’s complex calendar. Coordinate and schedule meetings with constituents, stakeholders, and lobbyists.
• Answer phone inquiries and respond to constituent emails. Track and assist with specific constituent requests and casework.
• Draft and send regular newsletters. Support policy and constituent efforts by creating engaging social media content related to the member’s official legislative duties.
• Conduct policy research. Create fact sheets and prepare the legislator for bill hearings, committee meetings, and stakeholder briefings.
• Organize town halls, district meetings, and other community events to connect the legislator with their district.
• Maintain organized databases of contacts, stakeholders, and constituent interactions.
• Represent the legislator with a high level of professional conduct at the Capitol, in the district, and within the broader community.
• Coordinate daily or event-based catering, including placing orders, managing dietary restrictions, and setting up meal layouts.
• Execute external errands and logistical tasks as requested, including picking up supplies, processing time-sensitive mail, and handling specialized courier needs.
• Manage off-site procurement for last-minute office needs, legislative events, or hospitality functions.
• Facilitate local transport of materials, documents, or supplies between the Capitol, legislative venues, and external partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to draft clear, concise, and professional correspondence.
• Highly organized with a proven ability to balance and track progress on multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Excellent time management skills and a sharp attention to detail.
• Motivated self-starter capable of producing high-quality work without daily supervision.
• Absolute commitment to a high level of confidentiality and professional discretion.
• Flexible work style with the ability to stay calm and effective in a high-stress, rapidly changing environment.
• High degree of self-awareness, humility, openness to feedback, and an eagerness to develop leadership skills.
• Experience and comfort using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
• Social Media management (Web pages, IG, Facebook, X/Twitter, etc.).
• Copywriting and/or graphic design skills are a strong plus.
• Knowledge of Colorado government processes is a plus.

Competencies:

• Policy Research & Analysis
• Professional Diplomacy
• Discretion & Confidentiality
• Autonomous Execution
• Time Management & Multitasking
• Constituent Services & Casework
• Copywriting
• Digital Media Management
• Community Organizing

Supervisory Requirements

• Junior Aide: None.
• Senior Aide: May be required to supervise, train, and manage a Junior Aide or office interns as necessary.

This position is not part of the classified state personnel system.

Education and Experience:

• Preferred: High school diploma or GED equivalent

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position requires the ability to perform desk-based administrative tasks for prolonged periods, involving sustained use of a computer monitor, keyboard, and digital communication tools to manage calendars and correspondence. Essential functions demand high mental and visual acuity for rapid information processing, proofreading public communications, and researching policy documents. The role necessitates sufficient manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment, handle physical files, and communicate clearly, articulately, and professionally via telephone and in person with constituents and officials. Frequent mobility is required to navigate the Capitol complex, including traversing among legislative buildings, office suites, and committee rooms. The position also requires the physical capacity to transport event materials (up to 20 pounds) and maintain active mobility while organizing and executing off-site town halls and community meetings within the district.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If working in the Capitol, assignments are primarily performed within a professional office environment, legislative committee rooms, and community venues, characterized by moderate to high noise levels and frequent foot traffic. The job involves working in a public-facing and high-pressure setting. The workload is exceptionally intense during the legislative session from January through May, demanding an extensive commitment of no more than 40 hours per week that frequently requires extended evening and weekend hours to align with fluid legislative calendars and pressing deadlines. The position may require consistent, reliable in-office availability at the Capitol during the session to maintain immediate operational support for the legislator; the Executive Committee Aide Policy allows remote work at the supervising legislator’s discretion. Conversely, work schedules and locations are significantly more flexible during the interim period from June through December, shifting focus toward district engagement and long-term planning. This position will remain open for 6 months. As positions for Legislative Aides within the Senate Democrats become available, applications will be matched and reviewed.

Compensation: $25.59 per hour with the possibility of working a maximum of 40 hours/week, depending on the legislator and their needs. Benefits include a PERA retirement account membership; health, life, and dental benefits will be available for one Senior Legislative Aide in each office.