A day after the conclusion of the 2008 legislature--in which critics chided Democrats for failing to propose reforms for health care and transportation--GOP lawmakers pointed to what they say was a comprehensive agenda that addressed the issues of greatest concern to Coloradans.

Senate and House Republicans--relegated to the legislative minority since 2004--say they knew they had to band together this session in order to serve the best interests of Colorado.  They came up with a new approach and offered a legislative package in both chambers. It was a package they say aimed to gird the state against recession, improve its transportation infrastructure, bridge gaps in health care and boost education.

"I'm happy to call this my final year at the Capitol--even if we were in the minority," term-limited Senate GOP leader Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, said. "We were able to work together to get some meaningful legislation passed. Somebody had to guard Colorado's pocketbook and with so few of us, we had to cooperate. "