Have you tried separating the color actions into a different layout also? Then, have them go to the gameroom where host, peer, etc all join?
It sounds like there are some variables that are not being called before the sync of host and peer that are required to identify them with such.
So, if you have 2 rooms/layouts, the first as a login, thats great, but between log in and the gameroom where the sync events happen (usually at the beginning of layout), have a layout for the color choices. So 3 rooms.
Or, instead of having the login go right to the next room, add the color information in the login layout, then have that event group go to the next room after all variables and such are assigned.
Hope that helps!