Congressman Jared Polis

Congressman Jared Polis is a renowned American politician, Democrat, and former U.S. Representative from Colorado, serving from 2009 to 2019. He was born on May 12, 1975, in Boulder, Colorado, to Stephen Schutz and Susan Polis Schutz, and grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and philanthropists, including his brother, Jordy Schutz. Polis's early life was influenced by his parents' involvement in politics and social causes, such as LGBTQ+ rights and environmental conservation, which were also supported by organizations like the Sierra Club and the Human Rights Campaign.

● Early Life and Education

Polis attended Preston Middle School and Boulder High School before enrolling in Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy in 1996. During his time at Princeton University, he was involved in various student organizations, including the Princeton Debate Panel and the Whig-Cliosophic Society, and was also influenced by the works of John Rawls and Robert Nozick. After graduating, Polis worked as a software engineer and entrepreneur, co-founding companies like American Information Systems and Bluemountain.com, which was later acquired by Excite@Home. He also served on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007, working alongside education leaders like Diane Ravitch and Linda Darling-Hammond.

● Career

Polis's career in politics began when he was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education in 2000, where he served for six years and worked on issues like education reform and school funding, often collaborating with teachers' unions like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. In 2008, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and won, representing Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. During his time in Congress, Polis served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Rules, working with lawmakers like Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer on issues like healthcare reform and financial regulation, which were also influenced by the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

● U.S. House of Representatives

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Polis was a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protection, and education reform, often working with organizations like the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. He was a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and also supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was introduced by Barack Obama and later supported by Joe Biden. Polis also served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he worked on issues like foreign policy and government accountability, often collaborating with diplomats like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.

● Governor of Colorado

In 2018, Polis ran for Governor of Colorado and won, becoming the first openly gay person to be elected as a governor in the United States. As Governor of Colorado, Polis has focused on issues like healthcare access, education funding, and climate change mitigation, often working with state lawmakers like Crisanta Duran and KC Becker. He has also been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, and has worked to promote economic development and job creation in Colorado, often collaborating with business leaders like Michael Bloomberg and Richard Branson.

● Political Positions

Polis is a progressive Democrat who has taken strong positions on issues like climate change, gun control, and immigration reform, often citing the work of experts like Al Gore and Michael Mann. He has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his policies, and has supported impeachment proceedings against the President. Polis has also been a strong advocate for universal healthcare and free college tuition, and has worked to promote social justice and equality in Colorado, often collaborating with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Throughout his career, Polis has been recognized for his leadership and advocacy, receiving awards from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Sierra Club.