Colorado House opens under first openly gay speaker, Democratic control

The Colorado House of Representatives has opened the 2013 legislative session with its first gay speaker, Democrats back in power and 27 new members. Newly sworn-in House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, is expected to note his historic moment in history as the state's first gay House speaker, but he lamented that two of his family members, older brother Michael and grandfather, Teddy D'Amore, were not present. The speaker also expects to discuss his philosophy of governing and outline plans for a bipartisan session once he receives the gavel from outgoing speaker, Republican Frank McNulty. "They are the more conservative members of the family, and my arguments with them have prepared me for the coming discussions with Minority (Mark) Leader Waller," Ferrandino said in his speech.