Jared Polis Explained

Jared Polis
Order:43rd Governor of Colorado
Lieutenant:Dianne Primavera
Term Start:January 8, 2019
Predecessor:John Hickenlooper
Office1:Chair of the National Governors Association
Term Start1:July 12, 2024
Predecessor1:Spencer Cox
State2:Colorado
Term Start2:January 3, 2009
Term End2:January 3, 2019
Predecessor2:Mark Udall
Successor2:Joe Neguse
Office3:Member of the Colorado State Board of Education
from the at-large district
Term Start3:January 3, 2001
Term End3:January 3, 2007
Predecessor3:Ben Alexander
Successor3:Constituency abolished
Birth Name:Jared Schutz
Birth Date:12 May 1975
Birth Place:Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:2
Relatives:Susan Polis (mother)
Education:Princeton University (BA)
Signature:Jared S. Polis Signature.png

Jared Schutz Polis (;[1] born Jared Schutz[2] May 12, 1975) is an American politician, entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist serving since 2019 as the 43rd governor of Colorado. He served one term on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007, and five terms as the United States representative from from 2009 to 2019. He was the only Democratic member of the libertarian conservative Liberty Caucus,[3] [4] and was the third-wealthiest member of Congress, with an estimated net worth of $122.6 million.[5] He was elected governor of Colorado in 2018 and reelected in a landslide in 2022.

As an openly gay man, Polis has made history several times through his electoral success. In 2008, he became the first openly gay man and second openly LGBT person (after Tammy Baldwin) elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.[6] [7] In 2011, he became the first openly gay parent in Congress.[8] In 2018, he became the first openly gay man and second openly LGBT person (after Kate Brown) elected governor of a U.S. state.[9] [10] He is also the first Jewish person elected governor of Colorado.[11] In 2021, he became the first governor in a same-sex marriage.[12] In 2022, he became the first openly gay man and the first governor in a same-sex marriage elected to a second term in office.[13]

Early life and education

Polis is the son of Stephen Schutz and Susan Polis Schutz, founders of greeting card and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts.[14] He was born at Boulder Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado, in 1975. He lived in San Diego, California, as a high school student, graduating from La Jolla Country Day School in three years with multiple honors. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in politics in 1996, writing a 157-page senior thesis, "Paradigm Shift: Politics in the Information Age", under the supervision of Carol M. Swain.[15] While at Princeton, Polis served as communications director of the undergraduate student government and was involved in other campus organizations, such as Model Congress and the Princeton Juggling Club.[16]

As a college sophomore, Polis purchased stamps from a Legends of the West series at the Princeton post office. The USPS had recently recalled the series due to a printing error in the image of Bill Pickett, making his stamps far more valuable. Polis sold the stamps to a collector for a sum "exceeding $1000".[17]

In 2000, he legally changed his surname to his mother's to raise awareness for a fundraiser and because he simply "liked it better".[18]

Business career

Polis co-founded American Information Systems (AIS), Inc., while still in college. AIS was an internet access provider and was sold in 1998. In 1996, he co-founded a free electronic greeting card website, bluemountain.com, which was sold to Excite@Home in 1999 for $430 million in stock and $350 million in cash.[19] [20]

In February 1998, Polis founded ProFlowers, an online florist, in La Jolla, California. In December of that year, economist Arthur Laffer began advising Polis and joined ProFlowers as a Director.[21] ProFlowers, later renamed Provide Commerce, Inc., went public on NASDAQ as PRVD on December 17, 2003. In 2005, Provide Commerce was acquired by media conglomerate Liberty Media Corporation for $477 million.[22]

Polis and other investors founded TechStars in Boulder, Colorado, in 2006.[23]

During his tenure in Congress, Polis was among its wealthiest members; his net worth was estimated at over $300 million.[24]

Philanthropic career

Polis is the founder of the Jared Polis Foundation. The foundation issues annual Teacher Recognition Awards and donates computers to schools and nonprofit organizations. Polis has also founded one charter school (the New America School) and co-founded another (the Academy of Urban Learning).[2]

Polis has received the Boulder Daily Camera's 2007 Pacesetter Award in Education[25] and the Kauffman Foundation Community Award.[26]

Early political career

Polis has been called one of the "Gang of Four"—four wealthy Coloradans who made a concerted effort to support Democrats in statewide legislative races. The other members are Pat Stryker, Rutt Bridges, and Tim Gill.[27] The Gang of Four's influence has been cited as a factor in Colorado's shift toward the Democratic Party in the 2000s and 2010s.[28]

State Board of Education

In 2000, Polis was elected at-large as a member of the Colorado State Board of Education and served a single six-year term until January 2007, when the district was eliminated.[29] His election was one of the closest in Colorado history, as he defeated incumbent Ben Alexander by 90 votes out of 1.6 million cast.[30] During his term, Polis served as both chairman and vice chairman of the board.[31] [32] [33]

Ballot measures

In 2006, Polis served as co-chair of Coloradans for Clean Government, a committee that supported Amendment 41, a citizen-initiated ballot measure to ban gifts by registered lobbyists to government officials, establish a $50 annual restriction on gift-giving from non-lobbyists, establish a two-year cooling-off period before former state legislators and statewide elected officials can begin lobbying, and create an independent ethics commission. In November 2006, 62.3% of Colorado voters approved the "Ethics in Government" constitutional amendment.[34]

In 2007, Polis co-chaired the "Building for Our Future" campaign that supported ballot question 3A in the Boulder Valley School District to issue $296.8 million in bonds for the improvement and modernization of aging school facilities—the largest capital construction bond issue in the district's history and the largest school bond proposal in Colorado that year. In November 2006, 58% of Boulder Valley School District voters approved the measure.[35]

In 2014, Polis planned to champion two ballot measures to limit fracking in Colorado by banning drilling near schools and homes and empowering communities to pass their own rules. The measures were dropped after he reached a deal with Governor John Hickenlooper to create a task force. The absence of the initiatives was seen as a relief to vulnerable Democrats who would have had to take controversial stances on the issue.[36]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 2008, Polis won a heavily contested Democratic primary election for Colorado's 2nd congressional district, and went on to win the general election on November 4 with 63% of the vote. He succeeded Mark Udall, who was elected to the United States Senate that year.[37] Polis was reelected to the House in 2010 with 57% of the vote,[38] [39] in 2012 with 56% of the vote,[40] in 2014 with 57% of the vote,[41] and in 2016 with 57% of the vote.[42]

Tenure

Polis was the Red to Blue program chair for the DCCC during the 2012 elections, helping recruit and raise money for Democratic candidates in competitive congressional districts.[43] After the elections, he considered running for vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus after then-Chair Xavier Becerra was term-limited.[44] The position went to Representative Joe Crowley.[45]

Legislation sponsored

The following is an incomplete list of legislation Polis introduced:

Committee assignments

In the 114th Congress, Polis served on the following committees:[46]

Caucus memberships

Governor of Colorado

Elections

2018

See main article: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election. In 2018, Polis announced his candidacy for governor of Colorado.[57] He was elected governor with 53.4% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Walker Stapleton and becoming the first openly gay person elected governor of any state;[58] [59] the first openly gay person to serve as a state governor was Jim McGreevey, the 52nd Governor of New Jersey, who disclosed his sexual orientation during his gubernatorial tenure.[60]

2022

See main article: 2022 Colorado gubernatorial election. Polis won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican nominee Heidi Ganahl, a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents.[61] [62]

Tenure

Polis was elected governor on November 6, 2018. Boldly Forward, a 501(c)4 nonprofit, was formed as the transition team, working with Keystone Center as facilitator. Polis was sworn in on January 8, 2019.[63] An effort to recall him and other Democratic elected officials failed to submit any signatures; Polis said of the effort, "Recalls should not be used for partisan gamesmanship".[64]

Political positions

Polis has been described as a libertarian. He has spoken in favor of abortion rights, school choice, replacing Colorado's property tax with a land value tax,[65] and eliminating Colorado's income tax. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado, he was skeptical of enforcing the state's mask mandates for long periods of time, saying he personally wore masks but did not want "to force it on people". In 2022, the libertarian magazine Reason suggested he was "the most libertarian governor in America".[66] [67] [68] He was the first member of Congress to accept Bitcoin donations.[69]

Campus safety

In September 2015, Polis voiced support for altering university disciplinary processes surrounding campus rape to allow for cases to be judged against a reasonable likelihood standard, saying that: "If there are 10 people who have been accused, and under a reasonable likelihood standard maybe one or two did it, it seems better to get rid of all 10 people ... we're not talking about depriving them of life or liberty, we're talking about them being transferred to another university, for crying out loud."[70] After being criticized[71] for these remarks, Polis apologized, saying that: "I went too far by implying that I support expelling innocent students from college campuses, which is something neither I nor other advocates of justice for survivors of sexual assault support".[72]

Civil liberties

In the House, Polis was an advocate for civil liberties, saying while campaigning in 2008 that "balance must be restored between the executive and the judicial branch (through restoring habeas corpus, and clarifying that the president does not have the Constitutional authority to alter legislation through signing statements) and between the executive and the legislative branch (clarifying that the Fourth Amendment requires probable cause and a warrant for the government to monitor Americans)".[73]

Cannabis

Polis supports the legalization of cannabis, saying in 2011, "Just as the policy of prohibition failed nationally with alcohol—it's now up to states and counties—I think we should do the same with marijuana."[74] Legislation he has introduced includes the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in 2013,[75] the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act in 2015,[76] and the McClintock–Polis amendment in 2015 (to prevent federal interference in states that have legalized medical or recreational use; it failed 206–222).[77] He was also an original cosponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act that was first introduced in the House in 2018.[78] In February 2017, Polis launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus along with Representatives Don Young, Earl Blumenauer, and Dana Rohrabacher.[47] In 2021, he pardoned 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession.[79]

Internet piracy

Polis supports an open and free internet, and has been critical of SOPA, PIPA and CISPA, saying in an interview with Forbes, "I oppose piracy and want to see intellectual property protected because that is what fosters and rewards innovation. But SOPA won't accomplish a meaningful reduction in piracy and causes massive collateral damage to the Internet ecosystem."[80] While debating SOPA on the House floor Polis said that SOPA and PIPA "directly threaten the very internet that has brought humanity great prosperity and greater peace" and "Allowing the military and NSA to spy on Americans on American soil goes against every principle this country was founded on."[81] [82] Polis and 167 other House members voted against CISPA.[83]

Polis and Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Darrell Issa sponsored Aaron's Law[84] in the wake of the suicide of computer programmer and internet activist Aaron Swartz, the co-founder of Reddit, who was facing computer and wire fraud charges, more than 30 years in prison and fines of over $1 million for violating the terms of service for illegally downloading academic journal articles from the digital library JSTOR.[85] The proposed bill would exclude terms of service violations from the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and from the wire fraud statute.[86] [87] Polis said that the charges brought by US Attorney Carmen Ortiz were "ridiculous and trumped-up" and that "It's absurd that he was made a scapegoat. I would hope that this doesn't happen to anyone else."[88]

NDAA

Polis voted against the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, and opposes Section 1021, which drew controversy about implications to detention policy.[89] After the law was signed, Polis and other House members introduced legislation to repeal the indefinite detention provision. Though legislation has failed to pass the House, Section 1021 is now pending in the courts.[90]

Patriot Act

Polis has been a vocal opponent of the PATRIOT ACT. In a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, he wrote that the Act "is a bill that has been plagued with abuse since it was first passed, and today's rule is yet another example of short-circuiting the system that our Founding Fathers set up. If there were ever the need for the close supervision and congressional oversight of a law, it is a law that discusses how and under what conditions a government can spy on its own citizens."[91] In February 2011, Polis voted against H.R. 514, extending expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, authorizing court-approved roving wiretaps that permit surveillance on multiple phones, allowing court-approved seizure of records and property in anti-terrorism operations, and permitting surveillance against a so-called lone wolf, a non-US citizen engaged in terrorism who may not be part of a recognized terrorist group.[92] [93]

Cryptocurrency

In May 2014, Polis became the first U.S. representative to accept campaign donations via Bitcoin.[94] In February 2022, Polis announced that Colorado would become the first state to allow its residents to pay state taxes with Bitcoin.[95]

Education

In 2011, Polis and Senator Joe Lieberman introduced the 2011 Race to the Top Act (H.R. 1532). The legislation authorized old provisions and some new ones, including new standards to encourage and reward states based on their implementation of comprehensive educational reforms that innovate through 4-year competitive grants that allow more funding to expand charter schools and compensate teachers in part based on their students' performance.[96] [97] [98]

Polis has sponsored other education bills and legislation regarding students, including:

Polis has also introduced the Computer Science Education Act, which helps provide job training for computing jobs, and the ACE Act, which would provide funding to improve outcomes for students in persistently low-performing schools, and to authorize school "turnaround grants."[106] [107]

Energy

In 2014, Polis sponsored two ballot measures targeting hydraulic fracturing, Initiatives 88 and 89. He sought to move fracking from 500feet from people's homes to 2000feet to improve homeowners' quality of life in affected areas.[108] On August 4, 2014, Polis announced that he would withdraw his support for the two ballot measures.[109]

Food safety

Polis has shown interest in the regulation of kombucha.[110] [111] [112] He co-sponsored a bill that would have legalized the interstate shipment of raw milk.[113]

Foreign policy

Afghanistan

Polis supported removing all troops from Afghanistan.[114] In 2010, he supported a failed resolution to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan within 30 days, saying, "I don't believe that this ongoing occupation is in our national interest" and "I supported the initial action to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan, and that succeeded. The challenge we face now is a stateless menace."[115]

Polis also took a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan, meeting with former Afghan Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar, U.S. military officials and diplomats. During his meeting with Atmar, Polis focused on the education gap between Afghanistan and Western nations, the low literacy rate for Afghan police and military officials, and combating political corruption.[116] Polis criticized expanding U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and supported putting resources in intelligence and special operations. In a report after visiting Afghanistan, he said, "We need all the high-level diplomatic support we can to master the diplomatic complexities of fighting against an enemy holed up in two countries, as well as navigating the complex regional politics", adding: "Our best estimates show there to be no more than 5,000 al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They operate out of areas in southern and eastern Afghanistan and on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Do we really need to occupy an entire country of around 30 million people to root out 5,000 enemies? I harbor a deep degree of ambivalence about the military surge. The diplomatic surge is good, increasing our covert ops and intelligence abilities focused on al-Qaeda is good, but adding tens of thousands of American troops for years doesn't necessarily get us closer to defeating al-Qaeda."[117]

Iran

Polis voted for the 2010 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act expanding economic sanctions against Iran under the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act, and co-sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009, authorizing state and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector.[118] [119]

Iraq

Polis opposed the Iraq War, saying, "The invasion of Iraq was a colossal mistake and I opposed the war from the very beginning. Bush's blunders, and the Democrats who gave him cover along the way, have left us without easy solutions for improving the situation."[120] During a congressional trip to Iraq, he praised the "Sons of Iraq" policy, which funds former military and police officials under Saddam Hussein to lay down their arms against coalition forces, patrol neighborhoods, and fight other Sunni insurgents. In an op-ed, he wrote, "If we had started this policy sooner after the invasion, we no doubt could have prevented loss of life. As can be expected, some of them turn out to be corrupt and attack us anyway, but most seem to be helping to keep the order. The challenge is to bring them into the fold of the new Iraqi government and a proper chain of command structure."[121]

In the op-ed, Polis also wrote, "The hippie in me bemoans the fact that we defeated the Iraqi military only to help them build an even stronger one that might one day be used against children and innocents, as often is the case. When will all the killing end? Where have all the flowers gone? And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and they shall study war no more."[122]

Human rights

As a member of Congress, Polis and then-Representatives Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin called on the U.S. embassy in Iraq and then-United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to prioritize investigating the allegations of rape, torture and executions of LGBT Iraqis, saying, "Such disturbing violations of human rights should not be ignored and the United States should not stand idly by while billions of taxpayer dollars are used to support their government."

Polis and 35 other House members also called on the State Department to address violence against Honduras's LGBT community.[123]

Immigration

On May 29, 2019, Polis signed House Bill 1124, immediately prohibiting law enforcement officials in Colorado from holding undocumented immigrants solely on the basis of a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[124]

Polis is one of several U.S. governors who have been relocating migrants via publicly sponsored buses to other U.S. cities, including New York City and Chicago. On January 7, 2023, he said he would no longer send migrants to Chicago.[125]

LGBT rights

At the time of his departure from Congress, Polis was one of seven openly gay members of the 113th Congress, and caucused in the LGBT Equality Caucus. He pushed for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and praised the Obama Administration's decision for the Justice Department to no longer defend DOMA, saying, "Section 3 of the law is unconstitutional."[126] In a statement Polis said, "I applaud the Administration for finally recognizing what my colleagues and I have long criticized, to deny people the ability to officially acknowledge their relationship and feel welcomed as partners only for being LGBT is absurd and today's decision confirms this".[127] Polis also credited Obama for openly endorsing gay marriage, calling it "welcome news to American families."[128]

Polis was an original cosponsor of H.R. 116, the Respect for Marriage Act. H.R. 116 repeals DOMA, allowing marriage recognition for gay and lesbian couples in the US, the District of Columbia, and US territories.[129]

Polis was also the leading sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act with Senator Al Franken, who introduced the act in the Senate. SNDA would establish a comprehensive federal non-discrimination prohibition in all public and elementary and secondary schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity, expanding Title IX of the Education Amendments Act to LGBT students.[130] In a statement, Polis said "education is the right of every student" regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. "The alarming increase in teen suicides has shown us just how far we are from making our children's schools safe spaces."[131] The SNDA has 167 co-sponsors in the House, with only two Republicans signing on.[132] SNDA is also supported by the ACLU and Change.org.[133]

Polis voted for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which prohibited openly gay and lesbian members of the Military from serving.[134] In a letter to Obama, Polis and 67 other House members urged for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The letter cited a California district judge's ruling that DADT was unconstitutional and that the 14,000 service members who had been discharged from the military since its passage had been discharged unjustly.[135]

In a press release on the repeal of DADT, Polis said: "The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a victory for the cause of equality and our national defense. For too long, this wrongheaded policy prevented brave Americans from serving in our military and defending our country just because of who they love. It undermined our national security by forcing gays and lesbians out of the military service at a time when America needs the most talented and the bravest protecting us, regardless of their orientation."[136]

Polis was also a supporter and cosponsor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, giving adequate funding and ability to federal authorities to investigate hate crimes, and advocated for protections for LGBT victims of domestic violence to be included in the Violence Against Women Act.[137] [138]

In September 2014, Polis filed a discharge petition to bring the LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the floor of the House of Representatives for a proper vote. Representatives Garamenedi, Holt, and Connolly joined Polis in support in filing the petition. The revised legislation includes narrow religious exemptions.[139]

Polis urged Obama to reconsider the inclusion of Malaysia and Brunei in a Trans-Pacific Partnership because of their negative record on LGBT rights.[140]

In April 2022, Polis said he opposed the repeal of the Reedy Creek Improvement Act and said he would welcome Disney if they left Florida and moved to Colorado.[141]

Personal life

Polis was the first non-incumbent openly gay man elected to Congress, and the first openly gay parent in Congress.[142] [143] [144] He is also the nation's second openly gay parent to hold state-level government office.[145] [146] [147] Polis and his husband, Marlon Reis, have a son and a daughter, born in 2011 and 2014, respectively.[148] [149] [150] Polis is Jewish.[151]

In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an event widely considered a watershed moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement, Queerty named Polis one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".[152]

Polis enjoys video games such as League of Legends. His favorite champions include Maokai and Anivia.[153] He is also an avid Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos fan.[154] [155]

In July 2020, Polis donated $1,000 to Representative Ilhan Omar's primary opponent in her 2020 reelection campaign.[156]

In September 2021, Polis married his longtime partner, Marlon Reis, in a small Jewish Renewal ceremony with family and a few friends at a synagogue in Boulder.[157]

Electoral history

|-| colspan=15 ||-!Year!Winning candidate!Party!Pct!Opponent!Party!Pct!Opponent!Party!Pct!Opponent!Party!Pct|-|2008| |Jared Polis| |Democratic| |63%| |Scott Starin| |Republican| |34%| |J. A. Calhoun| |Green| |2%| |Bill Hammons| |Unity| |1%|-|2010| |Jared Polis| |Democratic| |57%| |Stephen Bailey| |Republican| |38%| |Jenna Goss| |Constitution| |3%| |Curtis Harris| |Libertarian| |2%|-|2012| |Jared Polis| |Democratic| |56%| |Kevin Lundberg| |Republican| |39%| |Randy Luallin| |Libertarian| |3%| |Susan P. Hall| |Green| |2%|-|2014| |Jared Polis| |Democratic| |57%| |George Leing| |Republican| |43%|||||||-|2016| |Jared Polis| |Democratic| |57%| |Nic Morse| |Republican| |37%| |Richard Longstreth| |Libertarian| |6%||-

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. November 6, 2018. Colorado elects country's first openly gay governor Jared Polis. CBS News. YouTube. August 20, 2024 . 00:08.
  2. Web site: Jared Polis (1975-) . Jewish Virtual Library - A Project of Alice . April 4, 2021.
  3. News: Republicans are reopening. Why is Democratic Gov. Polis doing the same in Colorado?. Smith. Allan. May 3, 2020. NBC News. August 26, 2021.
  4. News: Mayor Lori Lightfoot demands Colorado stop busing migrants to Chicago in letter to governor. Sheridan. Jake. January 9, 2023. Chicago Tribune. July 3, 2023.
  5. News: Colorado's candidates for governor: Wealthy? Yes. How wealthy? Good question. Goodland. Marianne. The Colorado Statesman. August 26, 2021.
  6. News: Polis wins Colo. 2nd District . July 8, 2023 . The Denver Post . November 5, 2008.
  7. News: Fingerhut . Eric . Congressional roundup: three new Jews, but no rabbi . July 9, 2023 . St. Louis Jewish Light . November 12, 2008.
  8. News: Terkel . Amanda . Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress . July 8, 2023 . HuffPost . September 30, 2011.
  9. News: Jared Polis to become Colorado's first openly gay governor. Associated Press. Los Angeles Times. November 9, 2018.
  10. Jared Polis Makes History As America's First Openly Gay Male Governor. Nugent. Ciara. November 7, 2018. Time. November 9, 2018.
  11. News: Jared Polis elected first Jewish governor of Colorado. November 7, 2018. August 21, 2020. The Times of Israel. Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
  12. News: Birkeland. Bente. Gov. Jared Polis And Long-Time Partner Marlon Reis Marry In Small, Private Ceremony. September 15, 2021. September 15, 2021. Colorado Public Radio.
  13. News: Ring. Trudy. Colorado's Jared Polis Is First Out Gay Man Reelected Governor. November 8, 2022. January 18, 2022. The Advocate.
  14. Web site: Young Blood . Michael Roberts . August 19, 2004 . Westword.
  15. Schutz . Jared Polis . Swain . Carol . Princeton University. Department of Politics . Paradigm Shift: Politics in the Information Age . en.
  16. Web site: Jared Polis '96 reflects on goals, openly gay identity. The Princetonian. May 28, 2020.
  17. Web site: Jared Polis Schutz Acquires, Sells Valuable Stamps. May 28, 2020.
  18. Web site: Bio. November 10, 2018.
  19. News: Associated Press. Susan Glairon. After 35 Years, Card Company Still on Top . January 20, 2006.
  20. News: Larry Dignan. October 25, 1999. Excite@Home buys Bluemountainarts.com for $780m. zdnet.co.uk. dead. February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20061211040211/http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,2074653,00.htm. December 11, 2006.
  21. Web site: NASDAQ: Prospectus Provide Commerce, Inc.. July 23, 2014.
  22. Web site: Perez. Juan Carlos. December 6, 2005. Liberty Media buys e-commerce provider. March 9, 2021. Computerworld.
  23. Web site: Park . Brian . Congressman Jared Polis: Before TechStars Were Stars . 2023-03-25 . Startup Grind . en.
  24. Web site: Jared Polis (D-Colo), 2015 . OpenSecrets . OpenSecrets.
  25. News: Education: Jared Polis . . January 28, 2007 . January 28, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081003111149/http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/jan/28/education-jared-polis/ . October 3, 2008.
  26. Web site: Ground Floor Media . March 1, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061101103435/http://www.groundfloormedia.com/buzz0609od.html . November 1, 2006.
  27. News: Stuart Steers. The Gang of Four. 5280 The Denver Magazine. May 2005. October 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151013001558/http://www.5280.com/magazine/2005/05/gang-four?page=full. October 13, 2015. dead.
  28. News: Rodgers . Jakob . November 12, 2018 . Colorado turned blue, but will it last? . September 23, 2022 . The Colorado Statesman.
  29. Web site: In the case that the number of congressional districts is even, one member is elected at-large . August 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130405201602/http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard/download/OperatingProceduresAmended9%20610.pdf . April 5, 2013 . dead .
  30. News: Recount confirms Polis won seat on ed board; Republican Alexander won't contest second tally . The Denver Post. November 29, 2000. Newsbank.
  31. Web site: Even Better-er Know a District – Colorado's 2nd. Better Know a District. The Colbert Report. Stephen . Colbert. Stephen Colbert. August 17, 2009 . August 18, 2009.
  32. News: Polis on Politics. Boulder Weekly. June 26, 2008. August 13, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080629070313/http://www.boulderweekly.com/20080626/coverstory.html. June 29, 2008. dead.
  33. News: Fender. Jessica. Polis moves on to November . Denver Post. June 21, 2012. August 13, 2008.
  34. News: Gift law spurs major battle . . January 24, 2007 . January 24, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201326/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5301171,00.html . September 30, 2007 .
  35. News: Bonds will pump new money into aging schools . . November 10, 2006 . November 10, 2006 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081003111144/http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2006/nov/10/no-headline-10zbvsd/ . October 3, 2008 .
  36. News: Healy. Jack. Deal Struck in Colorado Over Vote on Drilling. The New York Times. August 5, 2014. August 4, 2014.
  37. News: Gay Candidate Wins a Colorado Primary . Frosch . Dan . August 13, 2008 . . April 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180105071600/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/politics/14colorado.html . January 5, 2018.
  38. News: Election Results - cbs4denver.com. November 3, 2010. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223701/http://elections.cbslocal.com/cbs/kcnc/20101102/race3.shtml. dead.
  39. Web site: Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010.
  40. Web site: Colorado's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012. Ballotpedia.
  41. Web site: Colorado's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014. Ballotpedia.
  42. Web site: Colorado's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016. Ballotpedia.
  43. Web site: DEMOCRATIC HOUSE AND CAUCUS LEADERSHIP . dccc.org . October 19, 2012.
  44. News: Jared Polis has leadership spot in sights . Palmer . Anna . Sherman . Jake . July 31, 2012 . . October 19, 2012.
  45. News: Barbara Lee drops leadership bid, clears way for Joe Crowley . Min Kim . Seung . November 28, 2012 . . November 28, 2012 .
  46. Web site: Jared Polis' Biography . votesmart.org . September 11, 2015 .
  47. News: U.S. Rep. Jared Polis joins with congressional colleagues to create Cannabis Caucus. Matthews. Mark K.. The Denver Post. February 16, 2017. February 18, 2017.
  48. Web site: Caucus Members. Congressional Progressive Caucus. January 30, 2018.
  49. Web site: Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus . Veterinary Medicine Caucus . October 12, 2018 . March 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090924/https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm . dead .
  50. Web site: Members. New Democrat Coalition. February 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members. February 8, 2018. dead.
  51. Web site: Membership. Congressional Arts Caucus. March 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership. June 12, 2018. dead.
  52. Web site: Members. Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. June 14, 2018. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus. dead.
  53. News: Meyer . Theodoric . Khanna starts PAC-free caucus . . July 12, 2017 . September 12, 2018.
  54. News: Garcia . Nic . Is Jared Polis a "Boulder liberal?" Republicans make the case, but his record is more complicated. . June 17, 2020 . The Denver Post . September 2, 2018.
  55. Web site: Members. U.S. - Japan Caucus. December 14, 2018.
  56. Web site: Featured Members. March 28, 2021. Problem Solvers Caucus. en.
  57. News: . In Governors' Elections This Year, Republicans Have A Lot To Lose . National Public Radio. November 2, 2018. November 6, 2018.
  58. News: Colorado Governor's Race: Jared Polis Tops Walker Stapleton. Colorado Public Radio. November 6, 2018. November 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107054126/http://www.cpr.org/news/story/colorado-governor-jared-polis-walker-stapleton-results. November 7, 2018. live.
  59. News: Worried about slowing economy, Democrats look to delay Polis pledge for full-day kindergarten. Eason. Brian. March 11, 2019. The Colorado Sun. November 17, 2019.
  60. News: McGreevey: 'I am a gay American'. transcript. CNN. August 13, 2004. March 10, 2008.
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  63. News: Jared Polis announces transition team stocked with big-name Democrats. Frank. John. The Colorado Sun. November 9, 2018. November 11, 2018.
  64. News: Attempt to force recall election of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis falls short. Garcia. Nic. The Denver Post. September 6, 2019. September 11, 2019.
  65. https://tsscolorado.com/polis-lobbies-property-tax-commission-to-consider-land-value-tax/
  66. Web site: April 25, 2022 . Jared Polis: The Most Libertarian Governor in America? . Reason.
  67. Web site: Jared Polis Wants To Leave You Alone. July 1, 2022. Reason.
  68. Web site: Jared Polis' Success Shows That Democrats Can Win Without Embracing Big Government. November 10, 2022.
  69. Web site: Colorado Congressman Seizes on New Bitcoin Rules. May 9, 2014.
  70. News: Better that five innocent students get expelled than one guilty student stay enrolled - The Washington Post. The Washington Post. September 29, 2017.
  71. Web site: Polis sparks controversy with remarks about campus rape cases. September 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20190130183944/http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-weather/ci_28792478. January 30, 2019. dead.
  72. Web site: Democratic Rep. Jared Polis: 'I went too far' with Campus Rape Remarks . Chasmar . Jessica . September 16, 2015 . The Washington Times . April 4, 2021.
  73. Web site: Jared Polis on Homeland Security . ontheissues.org . September 30, 2012.
  74. News: Rep. Jared Polis: Federal government shouldn't be banning marijuana. Brian Montopoli. CBS News . cbsnews.com. April 6, 2011. CBS News.
  75. Dickinson . Tim . Legalization Hits the Hill . Rolling Stone . February 6, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130307213934/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/legalization-hits-the-hill-20130206 . March 7, 2013 . dead.
  76. News: US Congress: Legislation Introduced To Get the Feds Out Of The Marijuana Enforcement Business . December 23, 2019 . NORML . February 26, 2015.
  77. News: Baca . Ricardo . House passes bill to prevent DOJ from interfering in states' medical pot laws . December 26, 2019 . The Cannabist . June 3, 2015.
  78. January 17, 2018 . House Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill, Focused on Racial Justice, As Companion to Cory Booker's Senate Bill . Washington, D.C. . Drug Policy Alliance.
  79. Web site: December 31, 2021. Colorado governor pardons 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession. January 1, 2022. The Denver Post.
  80. News: An Interview With Rep. Jared Polis: Why We Need To Stop SOPA. forbes.com . September 30, 2012. Erik. Kain . January 18, 2012.
  81. Web site: Protecting an Open Internet by Fighting SOPA . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/PJYFcrnl6v8 . December 15, 2021 . live. January 18, 2012 . youtube.com . September 30, 2012.
  82. Web site: How CISPA would affect you (faq) . news.cnet.com . September 30, 2012.
  83. Web site: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 192 . clerk.house.gov . September 30, 2012 .
  84. Web site: Lawmakers slam DOJ prosecution of Swartz as 'ridiculous, absurd' . thehill.com. January 15, 2013 . January 22, 2013.
  85. Web site: Aaron's Law: Violating a Site's Terms of Service Should Not Land You in Jail . theatlantic.com . January 16, 2013 . January 22, 2013.
  86. Web site: 113th Congress 1st Session H.R. l . lofgren.house.gov . January 15, 2013 . January 22, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130325160759/http://lofgren.house.gov/images/stories/pdf/draft%20lofgren%20bill%20to%20exclude%20terms%20of%20service%20violations%20from%20cfaa%20%20wre%20fraud%20011513.pdf . March 25, 2013 . dead .
  87. News: Aaron Swartz's Suicide Triggers Response from Top U.S. Lawmakers . time.com . January 16, 2013 . January 22, 2013.
  88. News: Aaron Swartz suicide has U.S. lawmakers scrutinizing prosecutors . Los Angeles Times . January 18, 2013 . January 22, 2013. Matt. Pearce.
  89. Web site: H.R. 1540: National Defense Authorization Act for ... (On Passage of the Bill) . govtrack.us . September 30, 2012.
  90. Web site: H Amdt 1127 – Repeals Indefinite Military Detention Provisions – Key Vote . votesmart.org . September 30, 2012.
  91. Web site: February 10, 2011 Congressional Record House . www.gpo.gov . September 30, 2012.
  92. Web site: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 36 . clerk.house.gov . September 30, 2012.
  93. Web site: Bill Text Versions 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.R.514 . Thomas.loc.gov . September 30, 2012 . January 20, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160120033336/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.514: . dead .
  94. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/federal-regulators-approve-bitcoin-political-campaign-donations-n100761 Federal Regulators Approve Bitcoin for Political Campaign Donations
  95. Web site: Constantino . Tor . February 18, 2022 . Bitcoin Will Be Accepted for State Tax Payments in June Says Colorado Gov. Polis . August 15, 2024 . The Ascent.
  96. Web site: Polis, Lieberman introduce Race to the Top Education Reform Bill . polis.house.gov . September 9, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222121727/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=236958 . December 22, 2018 . dead .
  97. News: No, Seriously: No Excuses . newyorktimes.com . September 9, 2012 . Paul . Tough . July 7, 2011.
  98. Web site: Reform Effors are on the way and information sharing could be improved . gao.gov . September 9, 2012.
  99. Web site: H.R. 5789 – School Lunch Improvements for Children's Education Act . opencongress.org . September 9, 2012.
  100. Web site: The SLICE (School Lunch Improvements for Children's Education) Act: Restoring Better Nutrition in School Meals . polis.house.gov . September 9, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180921093605/https://polis.house.gov/uploadedfiles/fact_sheet_-_slice_act.pdf . September 21, 2018 . dead .
  101. Web site: Pizza as a vegetable? No, says congressman introducing SLICE Act. Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2012 .
  102. Web site: Polis to Congress: Pizza is not a vegetable . polis.house.gov . May 14, 2012 . September 9, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629074151/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=295328 . June 29, 2018 . dead .
  103. Web site: Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004. ed.gov . September 10, 2012.
  104. Web site: IDEA –Funding Distribution . newamerica.net . September 10, 2012.
  105. Web site: Polis Special Education Bill Fulfills 40 year old Promise . polis.house.gov . September 10, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222130837/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=256182 . December 22, 2018 . dead .
  106. Web site: S. 1614: Computer Science Education Act of 2011 . govtrack.us . September 10, 2012.
  107. Web site: ACE Act to Reforming Low-Performing Schools . polis.house.gov . September 10, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133622/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=270939 . November 11, 2018 . dead .
  108. Friendly Fire Over Colorado Fracking Could Cost Democrats the U.S. Senate. Newton-Small. Jay. July 14, 2014. TIME. November 7, 2018.
  109. News: Newton-Small. Jay. Democrat Jared Polis Withdraws Support for Colorado Fracking Initiatives. August 5, 2014. Time. August 4, 2014.
  110. Web site: Is Fermented Tea Making People Feel Englightened Because of ... Alcohol . Hamblin . James . December 8, 2016 . The Atlantic . April 4, 2021.
  111. Web site: Congressional Letter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180921121657/https://polis.house.gov/uploadedfiles/ttb_polis_letter_9-14.pdf . September 21, 2018 . March 25, 2017.
  112. Web site: The Kombucha Freedom Warrior . December 6, 2016 . The Atlantic . April 4, 2021.
  113. Web site: Evich . Helena Bottemiller . Parti . Tarini . Food Freedom cause grows with help . POLITICO . April 22, 2014 . en.
  114. Web site: Representative Jared Polis's Political Positions . votesmart.org . September 18, 2012.
  115. Web site: Boulder Rep. Jared Polis: Withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan . March 10, 2010 . www.dailycamera.com . September 18, 2012.
  116. Web site: Just Back from Afghanistan . May 13, 2009 . www.huffingtonpost.com . September 18, 2012.
  117. Web site: Congressional Visit to Afghanistan. Congressional Trip to Afghanistan. September 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20181222101604/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=122612. December 22, 2018. dead.
  118. Web site: Jared Polis - Iran. PoliGu.com - The Political Guide. April 3, 2021. September 19, 2012. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103107/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/House/Colorado/Jared_Polis/Views/Iran/. dead.
  119. Web site: H R 1327 in Congressional Session 111 . www.thepoliticalguide.com . September 18, 2012 . November 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181111000316/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Legislation/house/111/H . dead .
  120. Web site: Candidate Q&A: Jared Polis . August 14, 2009 . www.dailycamera.com . September 18, 2012.
  121. News: Congressional Visit to Iraq, Part II: Observation on Strategy (My Return to Iraq, 1.5 Years Later) . www.huffingtonpost.com . September 18, 2012. Jared. Polis. April 9, 2009.
  122. Web site: Congressional Visit to Iraq, Part II . May 6, 2009 . www.windycitytimes.com . September 18, 2012.
  123. Web site: LGBT Equality & Civil Rights (Iraqi LGBT Rights) . polis.house.gov . September 18, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181221214820/https://polis.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=5032 . December 21, 2018 . dead .
  124. Web site: Protect Colorado Residents From Federal Government Overreach Colorado General Assembly. leg.colorado.gov. 2019.
  125. Web site: Colorado will halt busing of migrants to Chicago after conversation with Lightfoot, governor says. January 8, 2023 .
  126. Web site: President Obama Instructs Justice Department to Stop Defending Defense of Marriage Act cal Clinton-Signed Law "Unconstitutional" . abcnews.go.com . September 30, 2012.
  127. Web site: Polis cheers Justice Department's Decision on DOMA . polis.house.gov . September 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222104831/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=226466 . December 22, 2018 . dead .
  128. Web site: Jared Polis: Obama Support For Gay Marriage 'Welcome News' . livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com . September 30, 2012.
  129. Web site: Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.R. 116 Cosponsors. thomas.loc.gov. September 30, 2012. July 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160704200858/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HR01116:@@@P. dead.
  130. Web site: Historic Support for Non-Discrimination Act. aclu.org. September 10, 2012. February 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130206062122/http://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights-religion-belief-reproductive-freedom/historic-support-student-non-discrimination. dead.
  131. Web site: Polis reintroduces Student Non-Discrimination Act . March 10, 2011 . washingtonblade.com . September 10, 2012.
  132. Web site: H.R.998 - Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 . opencongress.org . October 1, 2012.
  133. Web site: California high school student joins ACLU to advocate for H.R. 4530 . Morgan M . Hurley . March 13, 2010 . sdgln.com . September 10, 2012.
  134. News: House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' . . September 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160118070035/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/2/638 . January 18, 2016 . dead .
  135. Web site: Congress of the United States Washington, D.C. September 23, 2010 . polis.house.gov . September 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180921170041/https://polis.house.gov/uploadedfiles/9-23_dadt_appeal_letter.pdf . September 21, 2018 . dead .
  136. Web site: Polis Applauds the End of Discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy. polis.house.gov. September 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20181222100507/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=260740. December 22, 2018. dead.
  137. Web site: H.R. 1913 – Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 . opencongress.org . September 30, 2012.
  138. Web site: Violence Against Women Act Should Include LGBT Protections . polis.house.gov . September 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222100255/https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=294542 . December 22, 2018 . dead .
  139. Web site: Polis files discharge petition on ENDA with narrowed religious exemption. LGBTQ Nation. September 17, 2014 .
  140. News: LGBT Members Of Congress Object To Free-Trade Deal With Countries Criminalizing LGBT People . BuzzFeed . February 18, 2015.
  141. Web site: Berguson. Samantha. Florida Lawmakers Vote to Repeal Walt Disney World District After New Opposition to 'Don't Say Gay' Law. IndieWire. April 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421233243/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/04/florida-votes-to-repeal-walt-disney-world-special-district-1234718606/. April 21, 2022. live.
  142. News: Terkel . Amanda . Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress . Huffington Post . September 30, 2011 . December 16, 2011.
  143. News: Parkinson . John . House Democrat Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent in Congress . September 30, 2011 . ABC News.
  144. 'Gay congressman announces birth of new son', in Forbes, 09.30.11 https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/09/30/general-us-gay-congressman-birth-announcement_8710834.html
  145. Web site: September 30, 2011 . Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent In Congress . October 14, 2022 . HuffPost . en.
  146. Web site: House Democrat Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent in Congress . October 14, 2022 . ABC News . en.
  147. Web site: July 4, 2014 . Congressman Polis announces baby girl has joined family . October 14, 2022 . The Denver Post . en-US.
  148. News: Jared Polis Makes History As Nation's First Openly Gay Governor. Out Front. Ryan Howe. November 6, 2018. April 10, 2018.
  149. News: In the Race for Governor, How Far Left Is Colorado Willing to Go?. The New York Times. Julie Turke. June 22, 2018. April 10, 2018.
  150. News: Colorado Governor's Race: Jared Polis Defeats Walker Stapleton And Makes History. Colorado Public Radio. Colorado Public Radio Staff and The Associated Press. November 7, 2018. April 10, 2018.
  151. Web site: Three New Jewish Members of Congress . The Jewish Federations . December 16, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720030243/http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=189354 . July 20, 2011 .
  152. Web site: Queerty Pride50 2019 Honorees. Queerty. en-US. June 18, 2019.
  153. Web site: Augustine . Josh . U.S. Congressman joins League of Legends developer in urging fans to oppose SOPA/PIPA . pcgamer . January 11, 2012 . January 11, 2012.
  154. News: Jared Polis on Home Life, His Childhood and the Rockies. Chris. Bianchi. October 21, 2018. Westword.
  155. Web site: Remembering Pat Bowlen: NFL, Broncos and Colorado communities honor legendary Denver Broncos owner. June 14, 2019. KMGH.
  156. Web site: Colorado Gov. Donates to Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar's primary opponent. Newsweek. July 28, 2020.
  157. Web site: Cramer . Philissa . September 17, 2021 . Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and His Partner Have Very Jewish Wedding . October 14, 2022 . Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.