First Day for Rep. Karen Middleton (D-Aurora)

Democrat Karen Middleton, a former member of the state Board of Education, was sworn in Wednesday as the new representative from District 42.

Middleton, D-Aurora, becomes the 22nd female member of the House Democratic Caucus. She also becomes the 36th female member of the General Assembly, which means Colorado now leads the nation in percentage of serving state legislators who are women.

Middleton was appointed Sunday, Feb. 10 to a vacancy created when former Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, resigned after being accused of unwelcome sexual advances to a lobbyist.