Often can't select colors for titles, solids, etc

Try deleting the preferences. Corrupt preference files can sometimes cause odd behaviour.

Shut down FCP X and launch it whilst holding down the Command and Option keys.

In the window that appears click "Delete Preferences".

FCP X will open with an empty interface so you will have to navigate to the project you were working on and launch it.

I am not sure what you mean by "I double click on the color item in my workspace".

Do you have the text selected in the Inspector? If possible explain in detail and post some screenshots.

FWIW, I have no trouble doing this. You can even use different colors in the same title if you want (not that I would do it often, but it does work).

Since this does not seem to be a common problem, it is possible that something particular to your setup, perhaps a third party system extension or launch agent or daemon, is causing a conflict.

I suggest you run Etrecheck and post its full report here using the additional text button below your message.

Do you have Chrome on this mac? It is known to cause several problems with video applications, maybe it plays a part in this too.

Sorry, I don't see anything out of place in the report that could be causing this.

The two external SSD are almost full, which could cause some decrease in their performance, but that is orthogonal to the problem at hand.

It should be OK now.

Deleting the preferences should be one of the first things you try whenever FCP X misbehaves in any way.

It won't cure every problem but it's so easy it would be crazy not to try it.

Ok, so you have no problem picking the colors either way, but it is just that some times it doesn't "take"? And not just for text but other objects as well?

I haven't been able to reproduce this.

When that happens, I would suggest closing the color picker, selecting the item again and reopening the color picker. Does that help? If it persists, maybe closing and reopening FCP may help.