Bacon becomes first Black woman speaker
State Democrats elected Jennifer Bacon to lead the chamber on Friday, granting her control of the largest Democratic caucus in nine decades.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
State Rep. Jennifer Bacon was elected speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives on Friday, Nov. 6. The vote marks the first time a Black woman holds the position in the state legislature. Bacon will guide the chamber when the 2027 legislative session convenes on Jan. 11.
Bacon will preside over a Democratic caucus that holds 49 of the 65 seats in the House. This represents the largest Democratic majority in the chamber in 90 years. The party also secured supermajorities in both the state House and Senate during the midterm elections. These numbers allow Democrats to pass legislation and override a gubernatorial veto without Republican support.
In a statement, Bacon described the role as a chance to show that residents rise together. She said voters trusted Democrats to lead because the party delivers on promises. Bacon added that she is prepared to continue progress as the next speaker.
The election follows a wave of Democratic wins across the state and the nation. Democrats claimed historic firsts in the midterms, including the election of the nation’s first Gen Z woman to Congress and the state’s first Democratic socialist. In the 5th Congressional District, a Democrat won for the first time. Bacon’s leadership team includes Rep. Javier Mabrey, who was elected majority leader.
Leadership in the House has shifted toward the left. Previous speaker Julie McCluskie and majority leader Monica Duran were positioned near the ideological center of the Democratic caucus. McCluskie is term-limited and will leave office in January. Duran was recently elected to the state Senate. Bacon is considered among the most liberal members of the House.
Bacon has represented Denver’s House District 7 since 2020. She previously served as assistant majority leader and chaired the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado. Her legislative record includes passing anti-discrimination laws. She also sponsored bills to help unions organize, ban surveillance pricing, and restrict law enforcement from buying personal data, though those efforts did not pass.
Bacon stated that the party must safeguard Colorado from the Trump Administration. She said she intends to double efforts to protect rights. She described a goal where students receive high-quality education, families can afford food, and the air remains clean.
