In a message dated 5/18/02 6:01:07 AM, [email protected] writes: << http://www.archives.state.co.us/cap/rotunda.htm >> Thanks for sharing this URL, Louise. It reminds me and gives opportunity to note that one of those stained glass windows in the Colo. State Capitol rotunda commemorates Sen.Casimiro Barela, the spouse of Damiana RIBERA, my gg-grandmother, Marina Ribera Cordova's sister. Marina Ribera was married to Jose Benito CORDOVA; he was (I think) the first legislator elected to the House of Representatives from Las Animas County in Colorado. Casmiro Barela - Barela was a highly respected legislator whose career in the State Senate spanned twenty-five continuous years including time as a member of Colorado's Constitutional Convention in 1875. Elected from Las Animas County, Barela was instrumental in ensuring that Colorado legislation was printed in the Spanish language so that the native Spanish-speaking people in his county and the rest of the state could understand the law. His respect for Spanish-speaking people made him the logical choice to act as Consul for both Mexico and Costa Rica. In addition to these interests, he also became known as one of the state's best livestock men, and the quality of his herd was supposedly unparalleled.