[4] Spence married in 1958;[6] she and her husband, a dentist,[7] have four children: Chris, Kathy, Greg and Meg,[4] and six grandchildren.

[7] Spence was first elected to the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education in 1980 and served there continuously until 1993.

[7] Focusing particularly on education issues in the Republican-controlled state house, Spence, in 2003, sponsored a successful measure to create a statewide school voucher program.

Although the measure was signed into law by Governor Bill Owens, it was soon struck down by Colorado courts for violating the principle of local control.

In 2007, she was elected Senate Assistant Minority Leader; as such, she is also a member of the Legislative Council.