Peter Groff, a state legislator from Colorado, has been appointed to be director for the U.S. Education Department’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Center, which helps small religious groups and others receive education grants.

The Bush administration set up faith-based centers in several federal agencies, and President Obama has promised to continue such efforts.

Mr. Groff, a Democrat, has served in the Colorado Senate since 2003. He also co-hosts a weekly radio talk show about politics and government policy on satellite radio.

According to The Denver Post, Mr. Groff “has long been a champion of education reform, sometimes to the chagrin of teachers’ unions.”