DENVER (AP) -- Democrats defeated Republicans in key Colorado legislative races to take over the House and keep their comfortable lead in the Senate.

Democrats appeared likely to have at least a five-vote majority in the House and at least a three-seat lead in the Senate.

The victories give Democrats more authority over the state's economic agenda for the next two years. They've also promised to pass a civil union bill that Republicans previously blocked, including with a filibuster in May.

The defeat of the bill energized civil union supporters. They formed a group that targeted vulnerable House Republicans and Democrats were winning those races.

Many of the key House and Senate races were in the Denver suburbs.

The gains mean Democratic Rep. Mark Ferrandino is poised to become the state's first openly gay Speaker of the House.