The end of the Colorado legislative session also marked the end of another Democrat’s historic reign as Speaker. Terrance D. Carroll, who is unable to run for re-election because of term limits, served his final day as State house Speaker last week:

The grandson of a sharecropper, Carroll has the distinction of serving as Colorado's first black House speaker. Although his term doesn't expire until early January, he banged the gavel on Wednesday for the last time during the regular session. (…)

Carroll became a lawmaker in March 2003, when he was appointed to the seat held by Rep. Peter Groff, who resigned to take Penfield Tate's seat in the Senate.

Groff would go on to become the first black president of the state Senate. When House Democrats elected Carroll speaker two days after the November 2008 election, Colorado made history.

That history, of course, is as the first U.S. State to have both of its legislative chambers led by African-Americans – at least since Reconstruction and possibly ever.

But beyond making history, Speaker Carroll earned bipartisan praise for his fairness in leading the chamber:

Rep. Amy Stephens of Monument, the House GOP caucus chair, praised Carroll on three fronts: his fairness, devotion to his late mother and fashion sense.

"Terrance has always been one of my favorite people," she said.

At only 41, and with other experience as an attorney, police officer, and ordained minister, we expect Speaker Carroll will continue to find ways to serve the people of Colorado. And we wish him and his family all the best.