Rep. Hullinghorst New Colorado House Speaker

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Democrats selected Rep. Dickie Lee Hullinghorst to be the next House speaker, making her only the second woman in state history to hold that position.

Democrats unanimously chose Hullinghorst on Friday. She will replace Democrat Speaker Mark Ferrandino, the first gay speaker in Colorado history. Ferrandino is term-limited.

Hullinghorst was the Democratic House leader the previous two legislative sessions. The first woman to be House Speaker was Republican Lola Spradley in 2003.

House Democrats selected Rep. Crisanta Duran to replace Hullinghorst as their chamber leader. Duran has served on the budget-writing Joint Budget Committee.

Democrats retained a majority in the House after this month's elections, and Republicans reclaimed control of the Senate after 10 years in the minority.