Democratic lawmakers today will choose from their ranks the man or woman who probably will become the next speaker of the Colorado House.

The Election Day defeat of Rep. Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction, who was expected to become speaker, set off a flurry of phone calls and vote-counting Wednesday as a handful of Democrats jockeyed for the speaker's gavel and staked out other leadership positions to be decided today.

Denver Rep. Terrance Carroll, Gunnison Rep. Kathleen Curry and Denver Rep. Anne McGihon emerged as contenders for the podium, according to Democratic leaders.

It's not a scenario that many had planned for, said Louisville Rep. Paul Weissmann, who flirted with a run for the top post before deciding

State House Results

View complete State House Results

Newly minted state House Speaker Terrance Carroll on Tuesday announced Democratic committee appointments, demoting his chief rival for the speakership and stacking the Judiciary Committee deck with freshman lawmakers.

The game of musical chairmanships also left an equal number of men and women heading key committees, though Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, is no longer one of them.

A speaker contender and strong advocate for health-care issues, McGihon led the House Health and Human Services Committee last session. Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, will assume that post. McGihon, who is in her final term, retained her chairwoman role of a joint committee.

Second-term Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, rose to the fore on the Judiciary Committee. Four of last session's Democrats left the House, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, left to join the Finance Committee.

Democratic lawmakers today will choose from their ranks the man or woman who probably will become the next speaker of the Colorado House.

The Election Day defeat of Rep. Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction, who was expected to become speaker, set off a flurry of phone calls and vote-counting Wednesday as a handful of Democrats jockeyed for the speaker's gavel and staked out other leadership positions to be decided today.

Denver Rep. Terrance Carroll, Gunnison Rep. Kathleen Curry and Denver Rep. Anne McGihon emerged as contenders for the podium, according to Democratic leaders.

It's not a scenario that many had planned for, said Louisville Rep. Paul Weissmann, who flirted with a run for the top post before deciding

State House Results

View complete State House Results

Newly minted state House Speaker Terrance Carroll on Tuesday announced Democratic committee appointments, demoting his chief rival for the speakership and stacking the Judiciary Committee deck with freshman lawmakers.

The game of musical chairmanships also left an equal number of men and women heading key committees, though Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, is no longer one of them.

A speaker contender and strong advocate for health-care issues, McGihon led the House Health and Human Services Committee last session. Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, will assume that post. McGihon, who is in her final term, retained her chairwoman role of a joint committee.

Second-term Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, rose to the fore on the Judiciary Committee. Four of last session's Democrats left the House, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, left to join the Finance Committee.

Democratic lawmakers today will choose from their ranks the man or woman who probably will become the next speaker of the Colorado House.

The Election Day defeat of Rep. Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction, who was expected to become speaker, set off a flurry of phone calls and vote-counting Wednesday as a handful of Democrats jockeyed for the speaker's gavel and staked out other leadership positions to be decided today.

Denver Rep. Terrance Carroll, Gunnison Rep. Kathleen Curry and Denver Rep. Anne McGihon emerged as contenders for the podium, according to Democratic leaders.

It's not a scenario that many had planned for, said Louisville Rep. Paul Weissmann, who flirted with a run for the top post before deciding

State House Results

View complete State House Results

Newly minted state House Speaker Terrance Carroll on Tuesday announced Democratic committee appointments, demoting his chief rival for the speakership and stacking the Judiciary Committee deck with freshman lawmakers.

The game of musical chairmanships also left an equal number of men and women heading key committees, though Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, is no longer one of them.

A speaker contender and strong advocate for health-care issues, McGihon led the House Health and Human Services Committee last session. Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, will assume that post. McGihon, who is in her final term, retained her chairwoman role of a joint committee.

Second-term Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, rose to the fore on the Judiciary Committee. Four of last session's Democrats left the House, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, left to join the Finance Committee.

This week's Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

In a surprising move, state Rep. Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley) will take over for state Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver) as chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee next year.

Incoming House Speaker Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) said replacing McGihon with Riesberg was "in best interests of the caucus in terms of having some continuity in the years coming forward."

On Thursday, Colorado Republican and Democratic caucuses from both state legislative chambers chose their leadership positions for next year. Here's a list of who they chose: