Colorado Democrats Elect First Openly Gay House Speaker

In Colorado Thursday, Democratic lawmakers elected the state’s first openly gay speaker of the House in Denver Rep. Mark Ferrandino.

CBS reports that Democrats re-took Colorado’s House of Representatives in this week’s election and remained in control of the Senate.

They’ll attempt to use this newly-earned power to pass civil unions legislation next year, granting same-sex couples rights similar to marriage. Republicans had defeated a civil unions measure in congress earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Ferradino’s appointment won’t be official until lawmakers reconvene in January and Republicans ratify his election.

Photo: CBS