They knew from the start she was an up-and-comer, the kind of legislator who might just one day be elected minority leader for the House Democrats.

Alice Madden was smart. And she was fun and feisty.

But no one dreamed when the Boulder Democrat began her legislative career in 2001 that she would play a pivotal role in what few thought was possible: the Democratic takeover of the House from Republicans.

Alice Madden made to it leadership all right. As majority leader.

On Saturday, Madden will receive the Democrat of the Year award during the Colorado Democratic Party's 74th annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.

Madden helped recruit candidates in 2004 and 2006 and highlighted the records of their Republican opponents.

"It was not just me," Madden said. "A lot of groundwork was done by a lot of other people."

True, but many Democrats say Madden was crucial in making it come true.

"We certainly didn't see it coming," said former Speaker Doug Dean, R-Colorado Springs. "Alice gets a lot of credit for it."

Madden was born in 1958 in Missouri, the youngest of five kids. There was a 12-year gap in age between her and the next youngest sibling.

"I heard a lot of 'get out' and 'shut up,' " she said with a laugh. "They taught me the value of being endearing if you wanted to stay with them in the room."

Her extended family will be with her at the Adams Mark hotel when she gets her award. So will her husband, Pete, and her sons, Tom, 15, and Jack, 13.

Madden has been an attorney, a technical writer and a businesswoman. At the Capitol, she has fought to make prescription drugs and health care more affordable.

She said she is proud of her role in changing Colorado.

"When Democrats won, we heard that the sky was going to fall. I would say, 'I can guarantee you that in one year things are going to be better,' " she said.

"And they were."

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327