Colorado: Sen.

Before a room packed with political allies and occasional foes, former state Rep. Bernie Buescher was sworn in as Colorado's new secretary of state this afternoon.

"I regard the Secretary of State's office as, in many ways, the guardian of our constitutional democracy," Buescher, a Democrat from Grand Junction, said after taking the oath of office. "I will do everything in my power to make the process as transparent and as effective as it can be."

In a testament to Buescher's popularity at the Capitol, Republican and Democratic state lawmakers alike came out to watch an event also attended by a number of other state officials, lobbyists and political players.

Before a room packed with political allies and occasional foes, former state Rep. Bernie Buescher was sworn in as Colorado's secretary of state Wednesday.

"I regard the secretary of state's office as, in many ways, the guardian of our constitutional democracy," Buescher, a Democrat from Grand Junction, said after taking the oath of office. "I will do everything in my power to make the process as transparent and as effective as it can be."

In a testament to Buescher's popularity at the Capitol, Republican and Democratic state lawmakers alike came out to watch an event also attended by a number of other state officials, lobbyists and political players.

History caught up with Rep. Terrance Carroll this morning as the rising political star became the first black man to assume the speaker's gavel in the Colorado House of Representatives.

For weeks, the Denver Democrat said, it's been easy to ignore the historical nature of his ascent, which coupled with Sen. Peter Groff's senate presidency, marks the first time any state has elected black leaders of both chambers.

Between nervous jokes in his new office prior his opening-day speech this morning, Carroll said he feels the eyes of the black community on him at one of the most challenging moments Colorado has faced.

Before a room packed with political allies and occasional foes, former state Rep. Bernie Buescher was sworn in as Colorado's new secretary of state this afternoon.

"I regard the Secretary of State's office as, in many ways, the guardian of our constitutional democracy," Buescher, a Democrat from Grand Junction, said after taking the oath of office. "I will do everything in my power to make the process as transparent and as effective as it can be."

In a testament to Buescher's popularity at the Capitol, Republican and Democratic state lawmakers alike came out to watch an event also attended by a number of other state officials, lobbyists and political players.