Colorado, with its wee population of Blacks and notorious reputation as a haven for Klansmen in the early 20th century, now has African Americans presiding over both houses of the legislature in the same session.

When the 2009 legislative session convened Wednesday, Terrance Carroll was sworn in as House speaker, and Peter C. Groff became Senate president.

This is the first time in the history of the state that two Blacks have simultaneously reigned over both chambers. This is even more impressive when one considers that the Rocky Mountain State has an African-American population of about 4 percent and that both men are the only Black members in their respective chambers.

"I think that says more about the state than it does about the speaker and me. It says this state is willing to look beyond barriers that were there before," Mr. Groff said.

Carroll agreed. "Like Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, we're being judged not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character," he said.