She resigned from the State Senate in May 2010 after winning a special election to fill a vacant seat in District 1 of the Denver City Council.

Although she was born in Chicago, Illinois, she has spent nearly her entire life in Colorado.

Most recently she was appointed as vice chair for the fiscal committee for the Council of State Government Western Region.

Formerly she served on the board of governors for the Colorado State University System.

Most notably she was the prime senate sponsor for the low-income energy assistance bill, the Kids First License Plate, the Healthy School Vending Bill, the High-Risk Alternative Education bill and the Colorado Schoolchildren's Asthma and Anaphylaxis Health Management Act.