josh penry (born february 1, 1976) is the former minority leader of the colorado senate. elected in 2006, penry was the youngest member of the colorado state senate. according to "the denver post", penry played a leadership role in opposing regulation for the oil and gas industry and a labor bill. penry has been identified by several newspapers as a "rising star" in colorado politics. prior to serving in the state senate, penry served in the state house of representatives for one term.