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| Governor Jared Polis | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jared Polis |
| Caption | Polis in 2023 |
| Office | 43rd Governor of Colorado |
| Term start | January 8, 2019 |
| Predecessor | John Hickenlooper |
| Birth date | May 12, 1975 |
| Birth place | Boulder, Colorado, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Marlon Reis |
| Education | Princeton University (AB) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, politician, philanthropist |
Governor Jared Polis
Jared Polis is an American entrepreneur and Democratic politician who has served as the 43rd Governor of Colorado since January 2019. Polis previously represented Colorado's 2nd and 6th congressional districts in the United States House of Representatives and founded several technology and education companies. He has been noted for his advocacy on broadband expansion, education reform, cannabis policy, and LGBTQ rights.
Polis was born in Boulder, Colorado, to Susan Polis Schutz and Stephen Schutz; his family background includes connections to Jewish American history, Ukraine and the Holocaust. He attended Fairview High School (Boulder, Colorado), where he played soccer and engaged in community activities before matriculating at Princeton University, graduating with an A.B. in politics; at Princeton he was involved with the Princeton University Tigers men's soccer program and campus organizations including Students for Choice and local civic initiatives. During his undergraduate years Polis developed early interests that connected to later involvement with Rocky Mountain Research Station stakeholders and regional Boulder County civic leaders.
After college Polis founded and led multiple companies, including the online greeting card company Blue Mountain Arts, the internet service provider ProFlowers and the education technology firm TechStars-adjacent ventures; his entrepreneurship placed him among notable Silicon Valley and Denver startup communities. He has been an investor and board participant in firms connected to Yahoo!, Amazon (company), Google LLC-era ecosystems and digital marketplaces, while engaging with philanthropic initiatives tied to Rockefeller Foundation-style grantmaking and local Community Foundation Boulder County programs. Polis's business success led to recognition from organizations such as Forbes lists and engagement with National Venture Capital Association networks.
Polis was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education before winning a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Colorado's 2nd district and earlier the 6th district; in Congress he served on committees including the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He co-founded and chaired the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and was active in caucuses such as the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the House Small Business Caucus. Polis's legislative work intersected with federal initiatives like E-Rate modernization, Affordable Care Act implementation debates and bipartisan efforts involving broadband expansion legislation.
Polis launched his first successful gubernatorial campaign in 2018, securing the Democratic nomination in a field that included Mike Johnston (Colorado politician), Cary Kennedy, and Donna Lynne; he defeated the Republican nominee Walker Stapleton in the general election. Polis campaigned on platforms emphasizing issues resonant with Colorado voters, such as renewable energy tied to Public Utilities Commission (Colorado), rural broadband linked to Federal Communications Commission grants, and education policies relating to the Colorado Department of Education. He won re-election in 2022 against Republican challenger Hessie C. Martinez-linked tickets and maintained alliances with leaders like John Hickenlooper and national figures in the Democratic National Committee.
As governor Polis has advanced initiatives on renewable energy with coordination involving the Colorado Energy Office, investments in broadband infrastructure leveraging Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, and education reforms interacting with Teach For America-affiliated programs and University of Colorado partnerships. His administration signed legislation affecting cannabis regulation aligned with prior Colorado statutes and worked with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on public health responses to crises including the COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado. Polis has also promoted workforce development in conjunction with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and municipal partners such as Denver and Colorado Springs.
Polis is generally described as a progressive Democrat who supports campaign finance reform related to rulings like Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, reproductive rights under precedents such as Roe v. Wade frameworks, and LGBTQ equality reflected in involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal. On fiscal matters he has favored tax policies compatible with Colorado Department of Revenue structures while endorsing targeted investments in K–12 education and higher education institutions including Colorado State University. Polis's views on immigration align with positions advocated by groups like United We Dream and state-level collaborations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-adjacent policy debates; his environmental stance aligns with advocates including The Nature Conservancy and renewable advocates such as Rocky Mountain Institute.
Polis is married to Marlon Reis, a writer and activist; the couple has children and participates in philanthropic efforts through foundations and initiatives connected to The Polis Foundation and partnerships with No Kid Hungry-style campaigns. He has supported arts organizations such as the Denver Art Museum and education nonprofits including KIPP (network) and DonorsChoose projects in Colorado classrooms. Polis remains engaged with civic organizations in Boulder County, national advocacy groups like GLAAD and business forums including the Chamber of Commerce of Denver.
Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Colorado Category:Princeton University alumni Category:American entrepreneurs