ggx2

Or, more per the 2nd sentence of the OP, if you weren't able to change the color immediately after typing, but before selecting off or selecting another tool, undo the text, and deselect all before using the text tool again, changing text color, etc. That was the issue for me -- some existing selection elsewhere out of sight causing the text to be hidden or interfering with working with the text (just like with other tools if you work outside the selection area).