Colorado Democrats unanimously selected Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst to be the next House speaker on Friday.
She will replace Democrat Speaker Mark Ferrandino, who could not serve as speaker because of term limits.
For the past two legislative sessions, Hullinghorst was the Democratic House leader.
On Friday, Hullinghorst acknowledged that House Democrats will have to work the new Republican majority in the Senate to pass legislation.
Speaking about the split in the legislature, Hullinghorst called it "a huge opportunity."
Hullinghorst says she believe the chambers will be able to work together on the state budget and education issues.
House Democrats selected Rep. Crisanta Duran to replace Hullinghorst as their chamber leader. Duran has served on the budget-writing Joint Budget Committee.
CPR News' Megan Verlee contributed to this report.
