Bacon defeated Speaker Pro Tempore Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins in a vote by the House Democratic caucus. Vote percentages were not released. She will become the first Black woman elected speaker and the sixth woman to hold the position.

The election followed Tuesday's results, in which Democrats won 49 of the House's 65 seats, giving the party a supermajority and a mandate its members described as historic.

Bacon, addressing the caucus after the vote, thanked voters who she said had grown weary of politics as usual.

"They've had enough of corruption and being insecure over where their next meal will come from," she said. "You did your part. Now, it's our turn."

She described her role as a steward of the caucus, pledging to support members and their communities. Bacon noted she had not been an "inconspicuous legislator" and was no stranger to uphill battles.

"We can get our house in order. We can fix all those things that we knew we need to fix," she said.

Boesenecker, in his pitch to colleagues before the vote, outlined an ambitious agenda: boosting collective bargaining rights, confronting economic inequality, lowering costs for families, strengthening public education, expanding health care access, and standing with immigrant families. He also called for holding Big Tech accountable, protecting privacy, guarding Colorado's limited water resources, and ensuring the largest corporations pay their fair share.

"In the wake of this historic election, our supermajority gives us a mandate to pursue transformative change for Colorado," Boesenecker said. "We must not let this opportunity go to waste."

The caucus meeting was a stark contrast to the somber gathering of House Republicans an hour earlier. Democrats celebrated their new members with repeated standing ovations during a roll call administered by current Speaker Julie McCluskie of Dillon that stretched beyond eight minutes.

The loudest applause came for Rep.-elect Jeff Livingston of Colorado Springs, the first Democrat to represent House District 15, a seat previously held by conservative lawmakers including Douglas Bruce, Gordon Klingenschmitt, Dave Williams, and Scott Bottoms. Reps.-elect Steph Vigil and Michelle Tweed of Colorado Springs and Jillaire McMillan of Erie also drew strong cheers. McMillan, who won the HD19 seat on her second attempt, declared, "I'm finally here."

In down-ballot leadership races, Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver was elected majority leader, succeeding Rep. Monica Duran, who won her Senate race Tuesday. Mabrey defeated Rep. Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs for the post.

Mabrey, a litigator, said his professional experience prepared him to manage conflict on the House floor, which has been marked by tension in recent years.

"Conflict management is essential for efficient floor work," he told the caucus, pledging to foster an environment where members "can disagree and have hard conversations."

Lukens, in her remarks, promised to run a tight ship and prevent bills from dying on the calendar at session's end, a reference to the roughly 19 House bills that went unresolved when the 2026 session closed.

The caucus also elected Rep. Jenny Willford of Northglenn as assistant majority leader; Reps. Matthew Martinez of Monte Vista and Michael Carter of Aurora as caucus whips; and Reps. Jamie Jackson of Aurora and Chad Clifford of Centennial as caucus co-chairs.

Bacon will appoint the caucus's two representatives to the Joint Budget Committee and choose a speaker pro tempore.

The first regular session of the 76th General Assembly convenes Jan. 11, 2027.