Diana Holland

In a year that looks pretty good for Democrats, Republicans will be hard-pressed to make a big dent in the Democrats' 15-seat majority in the state House of Representatives.

But that doesn't mean all is lost for the GOP. House District 40 looks virtually certain to return to the Republicans, one year after state Rep. Debbie Stafford turned rogue and delivered it into Democrats' hands.

There also appear to be a number of close races shaping up, the most interesting of these being House Districts 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 37, and 56.

Other potentially interesting races include House Districts 17, 33, 39, 52, 55 and 57.

Assistant Colorado House Majority Leader Terrance Carroll said he expects close races in three GOP-held districts but also said he expects Democratic incumbents Bernie Buescher and John Kefalas to hold on to their seats.

Besides House District 40, which appears set to switch to the Republican Party, the state House District 7 Democrat from Denver said he's concerned about districts in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats and unaffiliated voters. Specifically, Carroll listed Judy Solano in House District 31, Joe Rice in House District 38, and Bernie Buescher in House District 55.

Carroll said he expects the closest races in the state to come in state House Districts 25, 37, and 39 -- all of which are currently held by Republicans.

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike May (R-Parker) said Republicans are aiming to pick up one to four seats in the lower chamber this November.

Speaking with PolitickerCO.com on Tuesday, May said Republicans are looking at unseating five Democratic incumbents on Nov. 4: Bernie Buescher, Sara Gagliardi, Wes McKinley, Judy Solano and Christine Scanlan.