Jared Polis

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Jared Polis
Polis in 2019
Jared Polis
BornJared Schutz
12 5, 1975
BirthplaceBoulder, Colorado, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist
Known for43rd Governor of Colorado; first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state
EducationPrinceton University (BA)
Children2
AwardsChair of the National Governors Association (2024–2025)
Website[https://www.colorado.gov/governor Official site]

Jared Schutz Polis (born May 12, 1975) is an American politician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist serving as the 43rd Governor of Colorado since January 2019. Born in Boulder, Colorado, Polis built a career as a technology entrepreneur before entering public life, first winning election to the Colorado State Board of Education in 2000 and then representing Colorado's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019. He was elected governor in 2018 and won reelection by a wide margin in 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Polis has made history on multiple occasions as an openly gay elected official: he was the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a non-incumbent in 2008, the first openly gay parent in Congress in 2011, and the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state in 2018.[1] He also became the first Jewish person elected governor of Colorado. In July 2024, he became the Chair of the National Governors Association, the first openly gay man and first openly LGBT person to hold that position. Throughout his political career, Polis has been noted for blending entrepreneurial sensibility with progressive policy positions, including advocacy for education reform, technology policy, and civil liberties.

Early Life

Jared Schutz was born on May 12, 1975, in Boulder, Colorado.[2] His mother is Susan Polis. He was raised in the Boulder area, a community known for its progressive politics and proximity to the University of Colorado. Polis grew up in an environment that fostered both entrepreneurial ambition and civic engagement.

From an early age, Polis showed an aptitude for business and technology. He would go on to launch several successful companies before reaching the age of 30, experiences that shaped his later approach to public policy. His upbringing in Boulder instilled in him a connection to Colorado's communities and landscapes that would become central themes in his political career.

Polis is Jewish, and his election as governor in 2018 marked the first time a Jewish candidate had won the Colorado governorship.[3] His identity as both a Jewish American and an openly gay man would become significant aspects of his public profile, though Polis has generally focused his campaigns and governance on policy issues rather than identity.

Education

Polis attended Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[4] His time at Princeton coincided with the emergence of the commercial internet in the mid-1990s, and Polis became deeply engaged with technology and entrepreneurship during and after his undergraduate years. His Princeton education provided a foundation for the business ventures he would soon pursue, as well as for the policy expertise he would later bring to public office.

Career

Entrepreneurship

Before entering politics, Polis established himself as a technology entrepreneur. He founded and grew several internet-based companies during the dot-com era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. These business ventures were financially successful and made Polis one of the wealthiest members of Congress when he later entered the House of Representatives, with an estimated net worth that placed him among the top three richest members of the body.[5]

His business background informed his approach to public policy, particularly on issues related to technology, internet regulation, and innovation. Polis frequently cited his entrepreneurial experience when discussing the need to foster economic growth and technological advancement through government policy.

Colorado State Board of Education

Polis's first foray into elected office came in 2000, when he won a seat on the Colorado State Board of Education, representing the at-large district. He took office on January 3, 2001, succeeding Ben Alexander.[6] During his tenure on the board, Polis focused on education reform and advocated for charter schools and innovative approaches to public education. He served on the board until January 3, 2007, when the at-large district was abolished.[7]

His six years on the State Board of Education established education policy as one of Polis's signature issues and gave him a platform from which to build name recognition and political support within Colorado. The experience also deepened his understanding of state government operations and policy implementation.

United States House of Representatives

Election to Congress

In 2008, Polis ran for the United States House of Representatives in Colorado's 2nd congressional district, seeking to succeed Mark Udall, who was running for the U.S. Senate. Polis won the Democratic primary and then the general election, taking office on January 3, 2009.[8] His victory was historic: Polis became the first openly gay man and the second openly LGBT person — after Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin — to be elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.[9]

Polis was reelected four additional times, winning his races in 2010,[10] 2012, 2014, and 2016, serving a total of five terms in the House. In 2011, he became the first openly gay parent serving in Congress, another milestone in LGBT political history.[11]

Congressional Career and Policy Positions

During his decade in Congress, Polis carved out a distinctive policy profile that combined progressive positions on social issues with libertarian-leaning views on technology and internet regulation. He was notably the only Democratic member of the libertarian conservative Liberty Caucus, reflecting his support for limited government intervention in certain areas, particularly technology and civil liberties.[12]

Polis was among the most vocal congressional opponents of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), two pieces of legislation introduced in 2011 and 2012 that proposed to expand law enforcement's ability to combat online copyright infringement. Critics of the bills, including Polis, argued they would censor the internet and stifle innovation. Polis joined with technology companies and civil liberties organizations in urging opposition to the legislation.[13] In an interview with Forbes, Polis articulated his concerns that the proposed laws would harm internet freedom and impose burdensome requirements on technology companies.

Polis also opposed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which would have allowed the sharing of internet traffic information between the U.S. government and technology companies for the stated purpose of cybersecurity.[14] In the 2012 House vote on CISPA, Polis's position aligned with privacy advocates who argued the bill lacked sufficient protections for personal information.[15]

Following the death of internet activist Aaron Swartz in January 2013, Polis supported efforts to reform the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The proposed reform, informally known as "Aaron's Law," sought to narrow the scope of the CFAA so that violations of a website's terms of service would not constitute federal criminal offenses.[16] This issue resonated with Polis's broader commitment to protecting internet freedom and reforming outdated technology laws.

In a lighter vein, Polis also became involved in the regulation of kombucha, the fermented tea beverage. He wrote to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regarding the classification and regulation of kombucha products, arguing that existing regulations were overly burdensome for small producers of the drink.[17][18][19]

Polis also held a leadership role within the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).[20]

In August 2009, Polis was featured on The Colbert Report in a segment about Colorado's 2nd congressional district.[21]

Governor of Colorado

2018 Election

In 2018, Polis left his congressional seat to run for governor of Colorado. He won the Democratic primary and then the general election, succeeding Governor John Hickenlooper. Polis took office on January 8, 2019.[22] His election was historic on multiple fronts: he became the first openly gay man elected governor of any U.S. state, the second openly LGBT person to hold a governorship (after Kate Brown of Oregon), and the first Jewish person elected governor of Colorado.

Polis was succeeded in Congress by Joe Neguse, who won the seat representing Colorado's 2nd congressional district.[23]

First Term (2019–2023)

As governor, Polis served with Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. His first term encompassed a period of significant challenges and policy activity for Colorado, including the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Polis continued to emphasize education, technology, and economic issues as governor, drawing on his background as both an education board member and a technology entrepreneur.

In 2021, Polis became the first sitting governor in a same-sex marriage, adding to his series of firsts as an openly gay elected official.

2022 Reelection

Polis ran for reelection in 2022 and won by a large margin, securing a second term as governor. With this victory, he became the first openly gay man and the first governor in a same-sex marriage to win reelection.[24]

Second Term and Recent Governance

In his second term, Polis has continued to navigate a range of policy issues. In early 2026, he proposed changes to the way vehicle registration taxes are counted toward education funding, a move that drew concern from school district leaders who feared it could result in cuts to school budgets.[25]

Polis also engaged in debate over a Colorado bill that would seal children's name-change records. Supporters of the measure said it would protect transgender children and others, but Democratic sponsors removed a key provision from the bill after Polis signaled he would veto the legislation in its original form.[26]

The case of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted and imprisoned for an election security breach, became a notable issue during Polis's second term. In early 2026, Polis publicly described Peters' prison sentence as "harsh," renewing conversation about potential clemency.[27] President Donald Trump had previously asked Polis to transfer Peters to federal authorities so that Trump could pardon her, but Polis refused.[28][29] Polis indicated he was independently weighing clemency for Peters.[30]

In February 2026, Polis was among the Democratic governors involved in interactions with the Trump administration regarding the National Governors Association meeting. Trump stated that all Democratic governors except Polis and Maryland Governor Wes Moore were invited to a White House gathering, though both Polis and Moore announced they would attend the NGA meeting.[31][32]

Chair of the National Governors Association

On July 12, 2024, Polis became Chair of the National Governors Association, succeeding Utah Governor Spencer Cox. His term as chair was set to last until July 26, 2025, when he would be succeeded by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.[33] Polis's selection as NGA Chair was historic: he became the first openly gay man, the first openly LGBT person, and the third Jewish person (after Ed Rendell and Jack Markell) to serve in the role.

Personal Life

Polis is openly gay and has two children.[34] In 2011, he became the first openly gay parent in Congress. He later became the first sitting governor in a same-sex marriage in 2021.

Polis was born with the surname Schutz and later took the name Polis. His mother is Susan Polis.

Polis is Jewish, and his faith has been part of his public identity. His 2018 gubernatorial election made him the first Jewish governor in Colorado's history.

Polis has been involved in philanthropy throughout his career, supporting causes related to education and other areas. His background as a successful entrepreneur provided the financial resources that supported both his philanthropic endeavors and his self-funded political campaigns.

Recognition

Polis's career has been marked by a series of historic firsts for LGBT representation in American politics. His 2008 election to Congress as the first openly gay male non-incumbent, his 2018 election as the first openly gay male governor, his status as the first openly gay parent in Congress (2011), the first governor in a same-sex marriage (2021), and the first openly gay man reelected as governor (2022) have all been noted as milestones in the broader movement for LGBT political representation in the United States.

In 2024, his election as Chair of the National Governors Association added another first, as he became the first openly gay person and the first openly LGBT individual to lead the organization.

Polis's tenure in Congress drew attention for his work on technology and internet policy, particularly his opposition to SOPA and PIPA. His interview with Forbes on the SOPA debate was noted for articulating a position that resonated with technology companies and internet freedom advocates.[35]

His appearance on The Colbert Report in 2009 introduced him to a broader national audience during his early tenure in Congress.[36]

Legacy

Jared Polis's legacy is closely tied to his role in advancing LGBT representation in American politics. As the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a non-incumbent, the first openly gay male governor, and the first governor in a same-sex marriage, he has occupied a prominent place in the history of LGBT political achievement. Each successive electoral victory extended the boundaries of what had previously been accomplished by openly LGBT candidates in the United States.

Beyond identity politics, Polis's career reflects a distinctive political approach that combined progressive social values with entrepreneurial sensibilities and, in some areas, libertarian-leaning policy preferences. His membership in the Liberty Caucus as the sole Democratic member illustrated a willingness to cross traditional partisan lines on certain issues, particularly those related to technology, civil liberties, and government regulation of the internet.

His work in opposing SOPA, PIPA, and CISPA, and his support for reforming the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act following Aaron Swartz's death, positioned him as one of the more prominent congressional voices on technology and internet freedom issues during the early 2010s. These efforts resonated with a generation of internet users and technology professionals who saw overreaching government regulation as a threat to online innovation and free expression.

As governor of Colorado, Polis brought his education policy background and business experience to bear on state-level governance over a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath. His approach to the Tina Peters case — refusing a presidential request to transfer a prisoner while independently considering clemency — illustrated his approach to executive authority and independence from federal political pressure.

Polis's career, spanning from technology entrepreneurship to state education governance to Congress to the governor's mansion, represents one of the more varied paths to state executive leadership in contemporary American politics.

References

  1. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Jared Polis - Biography".Vote Smart.http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/106220/jared-polis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Jared Polis - Biography".Vote Smart.http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/106220/jared-polis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Colorado State Board of Education Operating Procedures".Colorado Department of Education.http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard/download/OperatingProceduresAmended9%20610.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "2008 Colorado Election Results".Colorado Secretary of State.http://www.elections.colorado.gov/Content/Documents/2008_Abstract.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "2010 Election Results".Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2010election.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "An Interview With Rep. Jared Polis: Why We Need To Stop SOPA".Forbes.2012-01-18.https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/18/an-interview-with-rep-jared-polis-why-we-need-to-stop-sopa/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "How CISPA would affect you (FAQ)".CNET.http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57422693-281/how-cispa-would-affect-you-faq/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Roll Call Vote 192, 2012".Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll192.xml.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Aaron's Law: Violating a Site's Terms of Service Should Not Land You in Jail".The Atlantic.2013-01.https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/aarons-law-violating-a-sites-terms-of-service-should-not-land-you-in-jail/267247/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Polis Letter to TTB on Kombucha Regulation".Office of Congressman Jared Polis.http://polis.house.gov/uploadedfiles/ttb_polis_letter_9-14.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "The Promises of Kombucha".The Atlantic.2016-12.https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/12/the-promises-of-kombucha/509786/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "The Fight to Legalize Kombucha".The Atlantic.https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/509909/the-fight-to-legalize-kombucha/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "DCCC Leadership".Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.http://www.dccc.org/pages/leadership.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Even Better-er Know a District - Colorado's 2nd - Jared Polis".The Colbert Report.2009-08-17.http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/246939/august-17-2009/even-better-er-know-a-district---colorado-s-2nd---jared-polis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Colorado governor wants to change a local tax benefiting schools to help the state's budget deficit".The Colorado Sun.2026-02-23.https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/23/colorado-school-funding-cuts-specific-ownership-tax-polis/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Colorado bill to seal children's name-change records moves forward after Polis veto threat".Colorado Public Radio.2026-02-23.https://www.cpr.org/2026/02/23/colorado-transgender-children-name-change-records-bill-moves-forward/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Governor Polis calls Tina Peters' prison sentence 'harsh,' renewing clemency conversation".Colorado Public Radio.2026-01-09.https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/09/polis-tina-peters-clemency-comment/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Gov. Jared Polis considers clemency for Tina Peters as he begins final year in office in Colorado".CBS News.2026-01.https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/jared-polis-considers-clemency-tina-peters/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Colorado governor considering clemency for Tina Peters".The Hill.2026-01.https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5682750-polis-weighs-tina-peters-sentence/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Election denier Tina Peters goes back to court after a boost from Colorado's Democratic governor".CNN.2026-01-14.https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/politics/tina-peters-colorado-jared-polis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Trump says all Democratic governors except Wes Moore and Jared Polis are invited to White House gathering".NBC News.2026-02.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-democratic-governors-wes-moore-jared-polis-white-house-meeting-rcna258634.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Moore, Polis to attend governors meeting after White House reverses course".AOL.2026-02.https://www.aol.com/moore-polis-attend-governors-meeting-143602633.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "POLIS, Jared Schutz".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "An Interview With Rep. Jared Polis: Why We Need To Stop SOPA".Forbes.2012-01-18.https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/18/an-interview-with-rep-jared-polis-why-we-need-to-stop-sopa/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  36. ↑ "Even Better-er Know a District - Colorado's 2nd - Jared Polis".The Colbert Report.2009-08-17.http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/246939/august-17-2009/even-better-er-know-a-district---colorado-s-2nd---jared-polis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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