Civil unions introduced on first day of Democrat-led legislature
DENVER — State lawmakers went back to work Wednesday morning on a historic morning at the Capitol.
Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, became Colorado’s first openly gay Speaker of the House and was officially handed the gavel by Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.
It was a moment ripe with symbolism, coming seven months after McNulty killed Ferrandino’s civil unions legislation on the session’s penultimate day.
With Ferrandino’s elevation and the new 37-member Democratic House majority, Democrats no control both legislative chambers on the Capitol’s second floor, with Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper presiding one floor below.
The session could be a challenge for Hickenlooper if Democrats send a stream of increasingly partisan legislation to the moderate governor’s desk.



























