Colorado legislature undergoes change with office moves, remodeling

Democratic Sen. Linda Newell of Littleton packs up her office at the Colorado Capitol in preparation to move to another office on December 9, 2014. Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate are moving offices, the biggest change is in the Senate where Republicans are moving into the majority offices for the first time in a decade. Republicans won the majority in the November elections. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)

WATCH: Learn more about renovations at the Colorado Capitol

Visitors to the state Capitol on Tuesday weaved in and out of carts loaded with boxes and furniture as Senate Democrats migrated for the first time in a decade to the minority offices and Senate Republicans moved into the vacated digs.

"It's moving day," said Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, trying to figure out what to do with all of her stuff because she had been assigned to a smaller office.

But the move is more than just exchanging offices. Extensive remodeling is going on under the Gold Dome to restore the Senate and House chambers to their original look and to give more lawmakers individual or bigger offices. Hard-hat-only signs are still displayed in spots at the Capitol.

Almost half of the lawmakers will have offices across East Colfax Avenue in what was the attorney general's building and now houses other state operations, including the personnel department.

Back at the Capitol, what used to be the House Services Office, which included bullpens for individual lawmakers, a reception area and mail boxes, has been gutted and will be a large committee room.

Republican Senate President-Elect Bill Cadman of Colorado Springs talks with a tour about the newly renovated Senate chambers at the Colorado Capitol, Tuesday, December 9, 2014. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)

WATCH: Democrats move into their new offices at the Colorado Legislature

Next door, the Senate Minority Office has new carpet and new tile. Gone are the tiny cubicles outside the minority leader and assistant minority leader's offices that housed six lawmakers, replaced with individual offices for three lawmakers. Senate Democrats will call this home for the next two years.

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Colorado legislature undergoes change with office moves, remodeling