Jennifer Bacon to become Colorado's first Black female House speaker

Driving the news: Bacon, the assistant majority leader, defeated state Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (D-Fort Collins).

• She'll be the second consecutive woman to hold the powerful post.

What she's saying: Bacon told colleagues that voters sent a decisive message in the midterm election, electing 49 Democrats to the 65-member House.

• "You want change. You don't want the status quo, or predetermined outcomes, or heirs apparent," Bacon said. "You want people to meet the moment. You want leaders who stand for what's right and who won't waver."

Between the lines: Bacon, who represents Denver's Green Valley Ranch and Montbello neighborhoods, is among the caucus's more progressive members.

• The Denver Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party both endorsed her reelection bid.

The intrigue: The Democratic caucus also picked Denver's Javier Mabry, a democratic socialist, to serve as House majority leader, a position that directs the daily calendar and policy agenda.

The other side: House Republicans reelected state Rep. Jarvis Caldwell of Colorado Springs as minority leader. Just 16 Republicans remain in the chamber after the state's blue tsunami.

• "Coloradans deserve more than what they have been given in the policy space," he said in a statement after his election.
• "While the House Republican caucus might hold fewer seats than before, our commitment to the Colorado people is greater than ever."