Months ahead of the legislative session in January, there could be fireworks at the Colorado Capitol Thursday as House and Senate Democrats and Republicans elect their caucus leaders.These are important positions. Members elect the leaders who set how the parties fight and what they fight for. The majority in each chamber controls the gavel and which bills go to friendly or unfriendly committees that could give their bills life or death.

The expected winners are those already in power. There’s no gold-dome gossip of any serious effort to unseat Rep. Crisanta Duran of Denver as House speaker. She was the Democratic leader under Rep, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst of Boulder County the last two sessions. Term limits put Hullinghorst out of office.

“The 2016 campaign is over, but our work to defend and advance American values never ends,” Duran said in a statement Wednesday. “Our dedication to working families, women and children and Coloradans of all backgrounds is stronger than ever.”

Rep. Brian Del Grosso of Loveland, the House Republican minority leader, also leaves because of term limits. Assistant GOP minority leader Polly Lawrence of Douglas County is expected to step up, but there’s been well-sourced talk of a challenge from Rep. Patrick Neville of Castle Rock.

Republican Sen. Kevin Grantham of Canon City is expected to be named Senate president, possibly by acclamation, while Sen. Lucia Guzman of Denver is reportedly a safe bet to remain the Democrats’ leader.

After Thursday, however, the next statehouse prizes are up to be won: assignments to powerful committees, such as judicial, transportation and education. The most prestigious assignment is the Joint Budget Committee, the six members-three from the House, three from the Senate; three Republicans, three Democrats-who write the first draft of the state budget.

The GOP held its 18-17 majority in the Senate Tuesday night but did so without Sen. Laura Woods from Wesminster, who lost to Democrat Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada in District 18. But the GOP picked up a seat in District 25 in Adams County, where Rep. Kevin Priola beat former state Rep. Jenise May for the seat formerly held by Mary Hodge.

Democrats added three seats in the House to advance their majority to 37-28. Dafna Michaelson Jenet beat Republican JoAnn Windholz in House District 30 in Arapahoe County. Tony Exum reclaimed his seat in House District 17 seat in El Paso County over incumbent Kit Roupé. Democrat Barbara McLachlan beat incumbent J. Paul Brown in House District 59, which spans La Plata, Archuleta, Hinsdale, San Juan, Ouray and Gunnison counties.