Peter Groff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Groff
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| Member of the Colorado Senate from the 33rd district |
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| In office February 17, 2003 – May 9, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Penfield Tate III |
| Succeeded by | Mike Johnston |
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 7th district |
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| In office January 10, 2001 – February 14, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Ben Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Terrance Carroll |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 21, 1963 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Regina |
| Education | University of Redlands (BA) University of Denver (JD) |
Peter C. Groff (born April 21, 1963) is an important figure in American politics. He served in the administration of former President Barack Obama. Before that, he was a lawmaker in Colorado and even led the Colorado Senate as its President.
Peter Groff is a lawyer and a dedicated public servant. He was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2000 as a Democrat. He was re-elected in 2002. In 2003, he was chosen to join the Colorado Senate. There, he represented Senate District 33, which covers parts of northeastern Denver, Colorado. Peter Groff made history as the first African-American to be the Senate President pro tem and later the Senate President in Colorado. In May 2009, President Obama chose him to lead the faith-based initiatives center for the U.S. Department of Education.
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Early Life and Education
Peter Groff was born in Chicago, Illinois. He went to the University of Redlands, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 1985. He also studied political science. Later, he earned a law degree (called a J.D.) from the University of Denver College of Law in 1992.
Early Career in Denver
From 1991 to 1994, Peter Groff worked as an assistant for Allegra Haynes, a member of the Denver city council. After that, he worked for Denver mayor Wellington Webb from 1994 to 1997. In 1997, Groff helped start the Center for African American Policy at the University of Denver. He has served as the executive director of this center. He also worked as a lawyer with a firm called Vaden and Evans, LLC.
Family Life
Peter Groff is married to Rev. Dr. Regina C. Groff. She used to be the pastor of Campbell Chapel AME Church in Denver. They have two children together, named Malachi Charles and Moriah Cherie.
Political Journey
During the 1990s, Peter Groff was involved in many political campaigns in Colorado. He helped manage or worked on several of them. For example, he was a deputy political director for Roy Romer's campaign for governor in 1994. He also led the 1998 Denver Public Schools Mill Levy and Bond Campaign. In 1999, he managed the re-election campaign for Denver councilwoman Allegra Haynes.
Joining the Colorado Legislature
In 2000, Peter Groff successfully ran for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 2002. In February 2003, he was appointed to the Colorado Senate. This happened after Senator Penfield Tate III resigned. Peter Groff became only the sixth African-American state senator in Colorado's history. He took over the Senate seat that his father, Senator Regis Groff, had held before him.
Leading the Senate
Peter Groff was sometimes called the "Conscience of the Senate." People saw him as a "pragmatic and deliberative" leader. In 2005, he was named Senate President pro tem. This role means he was a temporary leader of the Senate.
In November 2007, Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald resigned. Peter Groff was then chosen to become the new Senate President. He had already started taking on some of her duties during her campaign for Congress. Groff officially became Senate President in January 2008, when the legislative session began. He holds the highest position of any African-American elected official in Colorado. He was also the first African-American to lead either chamber of the Colorado General Assembly.
Committee Work
During the 2007 session of the Colorado Legislature, Groff was a member of several important committees. He served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Legal Services Committee. He also chaired (led) the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.
Consideration for U.S. Senate
After Senator Ken Salazar was chosen by President-Elect Barack Obama to be the United States Secretary of the Interior, many names were suggested as possible replacements for Salazar. Governor Bill Ritter would make the appointment. Peter Groff was one of the people considered for this important role.
