The Mission of the BDLC is to promote progressive policy towards the advancement of communities of color in the areas of education, economic development, health care, housing, public safety, social justice, and voting rights.
Colorado has a strong African American legacy since its statehood in 1876. We’ve benefited from trailblazers like Barney Ford who fought to ensure that Colorado was the first state to give African Americans the right to vote, even before the Federal Government. Colorado was the first state in the country to simultaneously have African Americans lead both chambers of the General Assembly as Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. In 2017, the BDLC again made Colorado history with The Elite Eight, by having 2 African American State Senators serving together for the first time and 6 State Representatives serving together for the first time. In 2023, history continued to be made with the largest caucus Colorado has seen having 4 members serving in the Senate and 7 members serving in the House.
We have had over 40 African Americans serve in the State House of Representative and the State Senate throughout Colorado’s history. African American leadership in the State of Colorado has helped shape not only our state, but move our nation forward.
Past & Present African Americans of the
Colorado General Assembly
State Senate
President of the Senate
Peter Groff………………………….2008-2009
State Senator
James Coleman…………………..2021-Present
Thomas “Tony” Exum, Sr………2023-Present
Janet Buckner………………………….2021-2024
Rhonda Fields…………………………2017-2024
Angela Williams……………………….2017-2021
Peter Groff………………………………2003-2009
Ed A. Jones…………………………….2003-2006
Penfield W. Tate III……………………2001-2003
Gloria T. Tanner………………………..1995-2001
Regis Groff………………………………1975-1995
George L. Brown……………………..1957-1975
State House of Representatives
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Terrance Carroll……………………..2009-2011
State Representative
Jennifer Bacon…………………………………….2021-Present
Naquetta Ricks……………………………………2021-Present
Regina English……………………………………..2023-Present
Junie Joseph…………………………………………2023-Present
Michael Carter……………………………………..2025-Present
Jamie Jackson…………..……..…..….……….. 2025 – Present
Elisabeth Epps…………………………………………….2023-2024
Iman Jodeh………………………………………………….2021-2024
Leslie Herod………………………………………………..2017-2024
Dominique Jackson……………………………………2017-2021
James Coleman……………………………………………2017-2021
Janet Buckner……………………………………………….2015-2021
Jovan Melton…………………………………………………2013-2021
Thomas “Tony” Exum, Sr. ………..2013-2015, 2017-2022
John Buckner……………………2013-2015 (Died in Office)
Angela Williams…………………………………………..2011-2017
Rhonda Fields………………………………………………2011-2017
Terrance Carroll…………………………………………..2003-2011
Angie Paccione…………………………………………….2003-2007
Rosemary Marshall…………………………………….2001-2009
Peter Groff…………………………………………………..2001-2003
Penfield W. Tate III…………………………………….1997-2001
Benjamin Clarke………………………………………..1995-2001
Glenda Swanson Lyle………………………………..1993-1997
Samuel Williams………………………………………..1989-1995
Gloria T. Tanner……………………………………………1985-1995
Wilma Webb……………………………………………….1980-1993
King M. Trimble………………………………………….1977-1980
Wellington E. Webb…………………………………..1973-1977
Arie P. Taylor………………………………………………..1973-1984
Floyd W. Pettie…………………………………………..1973-1975
Jerome C. Rose……………………………………………1969-1973
Paul L. Hamilton…..…………………………………..1969-1973
Daniel Grove………………………………………………1965-1968
Robert C. Rhone, Jr. …………………1964 (Died in Office)
Issac Moore………………………….1957-1961, 1964-1967
George L. Brown…….………………………………….1955-1957
Elvin R. Caldwell, Sr. ………………………………….1951-1955
Oswald C. Abernathy…………………………………1947-1951
Earl W. Mann…….………………..1943-1949, 1951-1954
Lorenzo M. Sutton……………………………………..1921-1923
Joseph H. Stuart…………………………………………..1895-1897
