After being elected as Justice of Peace in Trinidad , Barela was named County Assessor in 1870 . While serving in this new position , in 1871 by popular vote , Barela was also elected representative to the Territorial Legislature . While fulfilling his public offices , Barela also found success with his several businesses on the side , and enjoyed spending time with his wife and young daughters in the early 1870s . In 1875 , Casimiro Barela helped to write the Colorado State Constitution , and he guaranteed its publication in English , Spanish , and German . While fighting for the publication in multiple languages , Barela stated , " You may say that ignorance of the law does not excuse the breaking of it . I say it is the only excuse . " Casimiro Barela served as a Delegate to the 1880 Democratic National Convention in Cincinnati , Ohio and the 1888 Democratic National Convention in St , Louis , Missouri . In addition to his service as County Assessor and Justice of Peace , Casimiro also served as County Sheriff for Las Animas , ran a blacksmith and supply shop , and was a postmaster . Following his role in the publication of the Colorado State Constitution in 1875 , Casimiro Barela became a Colorado State Senator in 1876 . While in the Senate , Casimiro Barela accomplished many political and social gains such as : Casimiro Barela served for almost 40 years in the Senate , from 1876 to 1917 . After gaining his seat in the first Colorado State Senate elections in 1876 , he was reelected nine times . He lost his seat in the Senate in a surprising defeat by Democrat Samual de Busk in 1916 . In addition , Casimiro started his career as a Democrat but later switched to the Republican party
1880 Democratic National Convention
1880 Democratic National Convention
Casimiro Barela