DENVER – House Democrats on Friday elevated Majority Leader Dickey Lee Hullinghorst to speaker, preparing to say a farewell to Speaker Mark Ferrandino.
Hullinghorst, a lawmaker from Boulder, promised to follow the lessons of Ferrandino by working across the aisle. The outgoing speaker from Denver, who is term-limited, will hand the gavel over to Hullinghorst in January.
“That’s what we’re all about, is to serve the people and build a stronger Colorado,” Hullinghorst said.
She was elected unanimously and becomes the first woman to serve as speaker for the Democratic caucus.
She will take over in a split legislature after Republicans took control of the Senate after the election. Republicans hold a one-seat majority in the Senate.
Democrats lost several seats in the House, but they were able to hang onto control. They currently hold a 34-31 majority, but one race remains outstanding – the House District 30 seat held by Rep. Jenise May, D-Aurora. Democrats held a 37-28 majority the last two legislative sessions.
One of the seats that could be lost this year is House District 59 held by Rep. Mike McLachlan of Durango. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, could take back control of the seat if he holds his lead against McLachlan.
Ferrandino said the next legislature must work together in order to build a better Colorado.
While Hullinghorst was elected unanimously, most of the caucus’ other leadership races were contested.
Current Assistant Majority Leader Dan Pabon of Denver faced off against Rep. Crisanta Duran, also from Denver, for majority leader. Duran, a member of the powerful Joint Budget Committee, won.
House Democrats also selected Rep. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City to serve as assistant majority leader, Rep. Angela Williams of Denver as caucus chairwoman, Rep. Mike Foote of Lafayette as assistant the caucus chairwoman, Rep. Su Ryden of Aurora as majority whip, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood as deputy majority whip.