Newly in charge, Colorado GOP picks Senate leaders

Colorado Republicans are meeting to pick new leaders for the state Senate.

The GOP is expected to hold a one-seat majority in the upper chamber. It will be the first time Republicans have controlled the chamber since 2004.

Democrats are expected to retain a narrow majority in the House. That means the Senate will be main Republican counter to the House and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Republicans are expected to choose their current leader as president. That’s Sen. Bill Cadman of Colorado Springs. They’ll also get another seat on the committee that writes state budgets.

House Democrats choose a new speaker on Thursday. The current speaker is resigning because of term limits.