by Faith Marcovecchio
Esther van Mourik, the new Secretary of the Senate of the Colorado General Assembly, was sworn in on January 8, 2025. No stranger to the Colorado Capitol, van Mourik has worked in various roles in the legislative and executive branches for over two decades, and she is delighted that former Secretary Cindi Markwell is passing her the torch. The nonpartisan Senate Secretary oversees all the operations on the Senate floor, working closely with Colorado’s 35 senators and the numerous staff who support their work. LegiSource spoke to van Mourik as the 75th General Assembly prepared to convene for the upcoming legislative session.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Tell us about your background with the legislature.
I started with the Office of Legislative Legal Services as an attorney in 2004 with the Government Team. I stayed with the office for almost 17 years. My drafting expertise was focused mostly on tax legislation. So that’s why it was a natural transition for me to take on the role of Deputy Director of Tax Policy at the Department of Revenue in 2021. I rejoined the legislature, after realizing how much I missed it, in 2024, as Assistant Secretary of the Senate. I’ve had a long career in this building.
Where are you from?
That’s a long story for me. I was born in Deventer, the Netherlands. My parents immigrated from the Netherlands to Sao Paulo, Brazil, when I was about five. We lived there for two years, and from Sao Paulo we immigrated to Colorado. I spoke Dutch as a child, and when we lived in Sao Paulo, I spoke Portuguese. When my dad was anticipating moving us to the United States, my parents enrolled me in a British English school so I could start to learn to speak English.
What are your hobbies?
First and foremost is spending time with my kids, my husband, and my family—my parents are also nearby.
I snowboard. I learned when I met my husband because it was a big passion for him. I also hike. We love to be up in the mountains to spend as much time as we can in the great outdoors. That’s my happy place.
Where is your favorite place in Colorado?
Anywhere in the mountains, but particularly Copper Mountain.
What is a typical work day like for you?
Really, there is no typical day. I’m amazed at the sheer number of matters the Secretary handles for the Senate—it is nonstop. From managing Senate spaces, to taking care of employees, to working with IT folks, to answering any questions the senators or their staff might have—the days are filled with constant interactions and work.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from Cindi Markwell, former Secretary of the Senate?
She is such a wealth of knowledge. I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for the time I’ve been able to spend with her. I am also very thankful that she’s not going away. Cindi will continue on as Senior Advisor to the Secretary and will oversee the construction project to bring all the members back to the Capitol. I’m really pleased that she’s going to stick around, because that means that I have her close by as a resource and mentor.
Getting back to your question, Cindi’s really given me so much valuable advice that if I were to give you all of it, this article would be as long as a book. But there are two things that I think stand out for me. One is that she has made it clear that being Secretary is a big job, but she has reminded me to make sure I also prioritize my family. That is very valuable advice.
And the other piece of advice that has really resonated with me is to continue to be mindful of the details that go into making the Senate a great place to work and to visit. It’s the little things, like making sure the eagles on the top of the flagpoles are facing the right direction, the chairs are lined up correctly, and the wall hangings are straight; and it’s also the parliamentary-type details such as making sure that the rules of decorum are applied continually and consistently. All of the details contribute to the experience of being in the Senate, whether you’re a senator, a staff person, or a visitor.
What advice do you have for new members?
I can’t stop myself from giving my old office a shout-out: Pay attention to your bill draft deadlines!
What is the biggest change you’ve seen in your time with the legislature?
I think the best changes I’ve seen in the past 20 years are all the magnificent renovations. The Capitol is so beautiful, and I hope that every visitor really appreciates it. The care that has gone into all of the spaces is wonderful. I forget that I worked in both chambers when those old acoustic tiles were on the walls!
What part of the job are you looking forward to most?
Honestly, all of it. I feel very honored to have this opportunity. I’m happy that Cindi feels she’s leaving the Senate in good hands and that she can retire. I’m looking forward to working with the legislators and staff in this capacity for years to come!
