Colorado lawmakers want a bigger piece of the 2016 presidential campaign spotlight.

Democratic and Republican leaders are drafting a measure to create a presidential primary in Colorado, a significant shift in one of few states with a caucus system.

The tentative bill would put the primary in a prominent spot on the 2016 calendar and make the swing state a top prize in the nominating process.

“The main point is that we bring more attention to Colorado,” said Rep. Dominick Moreno, a Commerce City Democrat and assistant majority leader who plans to sponsor the bill. “Right now, Colorado is just so completely overlooked because our caucus comes too late in the process. And Colorado should be more at the forefront because we are a bellwether state.”

As anticipated, the legislation would maintain the state’s complicated caucus system and keep the June primary election for state-level contests, such U.S. Senate and governor.

The legislation would require the governor to set the date in accordance with national Democratic and Republican party nominating rules — making clear that Colorado won’t jump the much-protected early status of states such as Iowa and New Hampshire and face penalties.

A price tag for the primary and how to pay for it remain outstanding questions that may plague the measure as lawmakers hope to push it through quickly in the final days.

The chairmen of the Colorado Democratic and Republican parties support the move to a primary.

“It provides more Coloradans the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process,” said Democratic chairman Rick Palacio.

“Giving voters a choice of who represents them in the general election through a presidential primary will be good for Colorado across the board,” said GOP chairman Steve House in a statement. “It will give this critical swing state more attention during the primaries, and it will make it easier for voters to get involved in the nomination process.”

The parties have not yet set their dates for the 2016 precinct caucuses. State law puts them on the first Tuesday in March, but it allows the parties to move them up to the first Tuesday in February in presidential election years.

The current caucus process draws less attention on the presidential campaign circuit because it entails only a straw poll, making it little more than a show of momentum.

Colorado’s delegates to the national nominating conventions are not actually apportioned until the state parties hold their gatherings in late spring.

The same day the first details of the bill came to light, a state House committee delayed a vote on another Moreno-sponsored bill to create an open primary system and make it easier for unaffiliated voters to participate in state elections.

Senate Republicans on Wednesday introduced a new bill to allow voters to opt-out of a mail ballot.

It’s not certain when the presidential primary bill would get introduced, but Moreno said, “It’s happening.”

John Frank: 303-954-2409, jfrank@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ByJohnFrank