Jared Polis entered the public arena in 2000 after winning a seat on the Colorado State Board of Education by a margin of 90 votes. Before his transition into full-time governance, he built a diverse career as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, establishing several internet companies that transitioned into high-value acquisitions during the early digital era.
Foundational Ventures
While attending Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1996, Polis began his business career. He co-founded American Information Systems, which served as an internet access provider, and the electronic greeting card company bluemountain.com. By 1998, he launched the online florist ProFlowers in La Jolla, California. The company went public on the NASDAQ exchange in 2003 and was eventually acquired by Liberty Media Corporation for $477 million in 2005. In 2006, he helped establish Techstars in Boulder, a venture capital firm that grew into a global operation.
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Polis served on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007. During this tenure, he held both the chairperson and vice chairperson roles. His focus in state policy included the 2006 Ethics in Government constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 41, which limited gift-giving from lobbyists to state officials and established an independent ethics commission. This measure received 62.3% voter approval.
Congressional Representation
In 2008, he won the general election for Colorado's 2nd congressional district, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019. During his legislative tenure, he served on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Rules. His committee work included oversight of higher education training and energy mineral resources. He maintained membership in diverse legislative groups, ranging from the Congressional Progressive Caucus to the Liberty Caucus and the U.S.-Japan Caucus.
Electoral Milestones
His electoral career is marked by several demographic milestones. He became the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a non-incumbent in 2008 and the first openly gay parent in Congress in 2011. Following his decade in the House, he transitioned to the executive branch, becoming the 43rd governor of Colorado in 2019, where he serves as the first governor in a same-sex marriage and the first Jewish governor of the state.
Fast facts
- Born: 1975, Boulder Community Hospital
- Education: Princeton University, 1992-1996
- House of Representatives Tenure: 2009-2019
- Governor of Colorado: 2019-present
- Awards: Ohtli Award, 2006
- Religion: Judaism
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 2000 State Board of Education election?
It was one of the closest elections in Colorado history, with Polis defeating incumbent Ben Alexander by 90 votes out of 1.6 million cast.
Which major corporations did Polis co-found?
He co-founded American Information Systems, the greeting card site bluemountain.com, the online florist ProFlowers, and the venture capital firm Techstars.
Achievements
- Educated at Princeton University and La Jolla Country Day School
- Worked as politician, businessperson and entrepreneur
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