In October 2007, Bruce was chosen over two other Republican contenders for the state house seat vacated by Rep. Bill Cadman, following a short but contentious battle for the appointment.
Bruce received two-thirds of the votes from the 66-member vacancy committee.
Although eligible to be sworn in immediately after his appointment was certified, Bruce postponed the oath of office in order to be eligible to serve a full four terms beyond the partial term under Colorado's term limits rules, an action which was criticized by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
His delay led to the enactment of legislation requiring legislators to be sworn in within 14 days of their selection.
Bruce cast the only dissenting vote on the measure.

Bruce also demanded to be sworn in in front of the full house, a request denied by both Republican and Democratic leadership.
He acquiesced to an individual swearing-in ceremony on January 14 after House Republicans voted 22-1 to call for a representative to be named for District 15 if Bruce did not take the oath of office by the end of the day.

On the morning before he was sworn in, Bruce kicked a Rocky Mountain News photographer who took Bruce's picture during the prayer; Bruce accused the photographer of "violating the order and decorum" of the house, and refused to apologize, describing his action instead as a "nudge or a tap."
A six-member legislative panel recommended 6-0 that Bruce be censured by the House for his actions.
On January 24, the full House of Representatives voted 62-1 to censure Bruce.
He became the first representative in the recorded history of the state house to be formally censured.
In October 2007, Bruce was chosen over two other Republican contenders for the state house seat vacated by Rep. Bill Cadman, following a short but contentious battle for the appointment. Bruce received two-thirds of the votes from the 66-member vacancy committee. Although eligible to be sworn in immediately after his appointment was certified, Bruce postponed the oath of office in order to be eligible to serve a full four terms beyond the partial term under Colorado's term limits rules, an action which was criticized by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. His delay led to the enactment of legislation requiring legislators to be sworn in within 14 days of their selection. Bruce cast the only dissenting vote on the measure.
Bruce also demanded to be sworn in in front of the full house, a request denied by both Republican and Democratic leadership. He acquiesced to an individual swearing-in ceremony on January 14 after House Republicans voted 22-1 to call for a representative to be named for District 15 if Bruce did not take the oath of office by the end of the day.
On the morning before he was sworn in, Bruce kicked a Rocky Mountain News photographer who took Bruce's picture during the prayer; Bruce accused the photographer of "violating the order and decorum" of the house, and refused to apologize, describing his action instead as a "nudge or a tap." A six-member legislative panel recommended 6-0 that Bruce be censured by the House for his actions. On January 24, the full House of Representatives voted 62-1 to censure Bruce. He became the first representative in the recorded history of the state house to be formally censured.
Douglas Bruce