DENVER—Former Colorado Democratic Party treasurer Mark Ferrandino was sworn in as a member of the state House of Representatives on Monday.
Ferrandino was selected by a Democratic Party vacancy committee to replace state Rep. Mike Cerbo, a Denver Democrat. Cerbo resigned to become executive director of the state AFL-CIO.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey gave Ferrandino the oath of office. Ferrandino, the first openly gay man to serve in the House, thanked his partner, Greg Wertsch.
Ferrandino previously served as a budget analyst for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
He said his top issues include providing accessible health care, quality education, strong economic growth and equal rights for all people.
Ferrandino said Colorado has a long history of progressive representation. He said in 1894, Colorado swore in the first women in a state Legislature in the United states.
“We in Colorado have a long history of providing all people equal opportunity,” he told a House chamber packed with friends and supporters.
