In Colorado, Change Takes On Added Meaning

While America celebrates with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American to become president of the United States, the reverberations of change are gaining new meaning in Colorado where African Americans now hold the posts of speaker and president in the state house and senate respectively.

In January, it was Peter Groff, son of former state senator Regis Groff, who became the first African American to be Colorado‘s senate president. Groff was also the first African American to be senate president pro tem prior to becoming senate president.

Now, it is Terrance Carroll, another African American, who has become speaker of the Colorado House of representatives. Carroll will be serving his fourth and final term in the house while being leader at the same time. Carroll won the speaker post easily against two other democrats; Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, and Rep Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, when Grand Junction democrat, Rep Bernie Buescher lost his re-election bid to Republican Laura Bradford.

Moving America Away From Fear Into Hope

Carroll thinks change is becoming pervasive throughout America and this is reflected in more inclusivity, more diversity and openness. His hope is that these changes will start to bear fruits in the areas of political and business leadership throughout the state of Colorado. “I think America is at this point where it is becoming more inclusive, it is more open, it is more diverse and we are going to start to see political leadership, business leadership and social leadership reflected in this diversity and inclusivity of America.”

He says he is impressed by the work that Barack Obama has done and thinks he is going to be a great president. “I think he is going to be a great president. He is going to do great things for us in terms of leading America forward out of these eight years we’ve had of fear into an era of hope” he said.

As for what he is going to do on his part, Carroll says he is anxious to get started and move Colorado forward as the speaker of the state house of representatives.

Carroll is no Barack Obama though, but the 39 year old knows something about change. In tough times like America is currently facing and especially after eight years of the Bush administration, Carroll does not mince words about reversing the course for America.

He says he is particularly impressed that Americans can put aside issues of race for a moment and focus on the future of America. “There are always going to be those people who will be racist and can’t look beyond the color of someone’s skin. But I think one of the biggest arguments against racism will be how well president-elect Barack Obama does as president of the United States”

The new speaker did not hesitate to make it clear that throughout the United States there are now many African Americans and other people of color in positions of leadership. He says these people are not just there as African Americans but “doing exceptionally well” and that itself is a statement against racism in America.  

Asked whether he foresees people treating him differently now that he is the new speaker, Carroll responded with a truth test question. “I suspect that people will treat me differently but for me the truth test is to make sure that I don’t treat anyone differently,” he said.

The Economy Is Issue Number One For Speaker Carroll

At the top of the upcoming legislative agenda, Carroll stresses an emphasis on three things which, he says, are keys to moving Colorado’s economy back on track. “We are going to have to find a way to expand the circle of opportunities by creating good paying jobs in Colorado for Coloradans”

Asked about the role that lawmakers would play in the process of job creation, he explained that from a legislative perspective, state representatives can do things that would create incentives for businesses, remove the bottlenecks that hamper small business creation and cut bureaucratic red tape. 

“We can lead the way, which is what we have been doing, in terms of the new energy economy. Colorado is an excellent place for the new energy economy. We can also help small businesses by cutting red tape and removing some of the administrative burdens throughout the state of Colorado”

To really get things going, speaker Carroll says he would maintain the relationship that he now has “with one of my best friends,” Peter Groff, a relationship he says, is for the benefit of the people of Colorado.

Carroll The Jack Of All Trades

Aside from his work with the legislature, Carroll, the only son to his late mother Corrine Carroll, is also an ordained minister in the American Baptist Church and an attorney at Denver law firm Greenberg Taurig. He holds degrees in law, political science and divinity from the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Denver and Morehouse College respectively. Carroll was born in “one of the worst neighborhoods” in Washington DC. He was a Boy Scout and also ran track while in college. He came to Colorado in 1992 to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder. While at CU, he served as a campus police officer. He has also served stints as a chaplain, a youth counselor and directed the campaigns of Mike Feeley in 2002 when he ran for congress.

Prior to the speaker role, he was assistant majority leader and chair of the house judiciary committee. He takes over from term limited Andrew Romanoff.