Terrance Carroll is New House Speaker

Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, was chosen as the new speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives today.

Carroll, who served as assistant majority leader this past session, will be the first African-American speaker in the state's history.

The slot opens up when Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, and the speaker since January 2005, leaves the house in early January. Romanoff is term-limited.

Observers originally believed that Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, would be the next speaker. However, Buescher was defeated in his bid for re-election Tuesday.

Carroll joins Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as a legislative trailblazer in the Centennial State. Groff, chosen as senate president last January, is the first African-American to hold that legislative post.