Jared Polis
Born 1975 · Age 50
Entrepreneur, philanthropist and Democratic politician; U.S. Representative (2009–2019) and 43rd Governor of Colorado (2019– ). Founder/co‑founder of multiple internet-era companies including BlueMountain.com, ProFlowers/Provide Commerce and TechStars.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Boulder, Colorado
Jared Schutz (later Jared Polis) was born at Boulder Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado.
Graduated La Jolla Country Day School (early graduation)
Completed high school in three years with multiple honors while living in San Diego.
Sold recalled 'Legends of the West' stamps
As a Princeton sophomore Polis sold recalled Bill Pickett stamps to a collector for a sum 'exceeding $1,000'.
Co-founded American Information Systems (AIS), Inc.
Co‑founded AIS, an internet access provider, while still in college.
Co-founded BlueMountain.com (free e-greeting site)
Launched a free electronic greeting card website while early in his post-college/college period.
Graduated Princeton University (B.A., Politics)
Earned a B.A. in politics; wrote a 157-page senior thesis 'Paradigm Shift: Politics in the Information Age'; served as communications director of undergraduate student government and in campus organizations.
Sold American Information Systems (AIS)
AIS, the internet access provider Polis cofounded while in college, was sold in 1998.
Founded ProFlowers (online florist)
Launched ProFlowers (later Provide Commerce) in La Jolla, California.
Arthur Laffer joins ProFlowers as adviser/director
Economist Arthur Laffer began advising Polis and joined ProFlowers as a director.
Sold BlueMountain.com to Excite@Home
BlueMountain.com was sold to Excite@Home for $430 million in stock and $350 million in cash (total $780M). Polis benefited as a cofounder.
Legally changed surname to Polis
Legally changed last name from Schutz to his mother's surname, Polis, partly to raise awareness for a fundraiser and personal preference.
Elected to Colorado State Board of Education (at-large)
Narrow victory over incumbent Ben Alexander; won by 90 votes (recount confirmed). Term began Jan 3, 2001.
Assumed office on Colorado State Board of Education
Began a single six-year term (2001–2007); served as chairman and vice-chair during tenure.
Provide Commerce (ProFlowers) IPO (NASDAQ: PRVD)
ProFlowers (Provide Commerce) went public as PRVD on NASDAQ.
Recognized as part of Colorado's 'Gang of Four' influence
Polis was identified among wealthy Colorado donors (the 'Gang of Four') who influenced Colorado politics and the shift toward Democrats in the 2000s–2010s.
Provide Commerce acquired by Liberty Media
Liberty Media Corporation acquired Provide Commerce for $477 million.
Co‑chaired Boulder Valley School District bond campaign (Question 3A)
Supported largest capital construction bond in district history: $296.8 million; approved Nov 2006 with 58% of vote.
Co-founded TechStars (Boulder)
Polis and other investors founded the startup accelerator TechStars in Boulder, Colorado.
Served as chairman and vice chairman on State Board of Education
Held leadership roles on the Board during his six-year at-large term (2001–2007).
Co‑chaired 'Coloradans for Clean Government' (Amendment 41)
Supported Amendment 41 to restrict lobbyist gifts, cooling-off periods and create an independent ethics commission; passed November 2006 with 62.3% approval.
Won Democratic primary and elected to U.S. House (CO-2)
Won a contested Democratic primary and then the general election on November 4, 2008 with 63% of the vote; succeeded Mark Udall.
Assumed office as U.S. Representative (CO-2)
Began first term in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2009.
Re-elected to U.S. House (2010)
Reelected with 57% of the vote.
Became first openly gay member of Congress to be a parent
Polis's status as the first openly gay parent in Congress was a historic milestone for LGBTQ representation.
Birth of son — first openly gay parent in Congress
Polis became the first openly gay parent serving in Congress when his son was born in 2011.
Introduced 2011 'Race to the Top Act' with Sen. Joe Lieberman
Legislation to incentivize comprehensive educational reforms and competitive grants for states; legislative initiative during tenure in Congress.
Voted against H.R. 514 extending Patriot Act provisions
Opposed extension of certain PATRIOT Act surveillance authorities in February 2011.
Voted against 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (Section 1021 indefinite detention dispute)
Opposed NDAA provision viewed as authorizing indefinite detention; later introduced repeal attempts.
Re-elected to U.S. House (2012)
Won reelection with 56% of vote.
Red to Blue program chair for DCCC
Served as Red to Blue program chair during 2012 elections, helping to recruit and raise money for Democratic challengers.
Sponsored/Introduced pro‑internet and civil liberties legislation (e.g., Aaron's Law)
After the death of Aaron Swartz, Polis co-sponsored Aaron's Law to narrow CFAA scope and limit prosecution for TOS violations.
Introduced Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act (first introduced)
Polis introduced federal legislation to end marijuana prohibition and later continued cannabis reform work.
Sponsored or backed fracking ballot initiatives (Initiatives 88 & 89) then withdrew support
In 2014 Polis sought to move setbacks for hydraulic fracturing to 2,000 ft but withdrew support on August 4, 2014 after reaching a deal with Gov. Hickenlooper.
Re-elected to U.S. House (2014)
Won reelection with 57% of the vote.
Publicly opposed SOPA/PIPA and CISPA; voted against CISPA
Advocated for an open internet and voted against CISPA; criticized SOPA/PIPA on House floor.
Became first U.S. representative to accept Bitcoin for campaign donations
In May 2014 Polis accepted campaign donations via Bitcoin, the first member of Congress to do so.
Re-elected to U.S. House (2016)
Won reelection with 57% of the vote for his fifth term in the House.
Launched Congressional Cannabis Caucus
Co-founded the caucus in February 2017 with Representatives Don Young, Earl Blumenauer, and Dana Rohrabacher to advance cannabis policy reform.
Announced candidacy for Governor of Colorado and won Democratic primary
Ran for governor; won Democratic primary June 26, 2018 with 44.5% (283,340 votes).
Formed transition nonprofit 'Boldly Forward'
Boldly Forward, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, served as Polis's transition team for the governorship.
Historic: First non‑incumbent openly gay man elected to U.S. governorship (as winner Nov 2018)
Polis became the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state (and first Jew elected Governor of Colorado).
Re‑introduced education & drug‑policy measures; co-sponsored Marijuana Justice Act
Continued to sponsor higher-education, textbook affordability, and marijuana justice legislative efforts; cosponsored Marijuana Justice Act (introduced in 2018).
Elected Governor of Colorado
Defeated Republican Walker Stapleton in general election with 53.42% (1,348,888 votes); became first openly gay man elected governor and first Jewish governor of Colorado.
Recall effort failed
A recall effort against Polis and other Democrats failed to submit any signatures; Polis publicly criticized recalls used for partisan gamesmanship.
Sworn in as Governor of Colorado
Assumed office as the 43rd governor on January 8, 2019.
Secured universal full‑day kindergarten funding
Signed legislation in May 2019 to fund universal free full‑day kindergarten in Colorado (a top legislative priority).
Signed HB 19‑1124 restricting local detention on ICE requests
Signed a bill prohibiting Colorado law enforcement from holding undocumented immigrants solely on ICE requests.
Named one of Queerty's Pride50
Queerty included Polis among the Pride50 for contributions to LGBTQ equality on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.
Tested positive for COVID‑19
Polis tested positive for the coronavirus on November 28, 2020.
Pardoned 1,351 convictions for marijuana possession
As governor Polis pardoned 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession as part of broader cannabis policy reforms.
Married longtime partner Marlon Reis
Polis married Marlon Reis in a small Jewish Renewal ceremony in Boulder; became the first governor in a same‑sex marriage.
Announced Colorado would allow state tax payments in Bitcoin
Polis announced Colorado would become the first state to allow residents to pay state taxes with Bitcoin.
Re-elected Governor of Colorado (second term)
Defeated Republican Heidi Ganahl with 58.53% (1,468,476 votes), becoming the first openly gay man in a same‑sex marriage reelected governor.
Stopped busing migrants to Chicago (policy change)
On January 7, 2023 Polis announced he would no longer send migrants to Chicago amid national debate over migrant relocation.
Second term commenced (Governor)
Second term as Governor began in early January 2023.
Signed bills guaranteeing abortion and gender-affirming care access
Signed three health-care bills ensuring Colorado provides access to abortion and gender-affirming procedures/medications without fear of prosecution.
Signed law requiring public schools use trans students' preferred names
Enacted law protecting transgender students' use of preferred names in public schools.
Elected Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA)
Elected NGA chair with a term running July 12, 2024 – July 26, 2025; stated focus on education and workforce development.
Spoke at the Democratic National Convention
Delivered a speech at the DNC and referenced Taylor Swift lyrics during remarks.
Vetoed surprise ambulance-billing ban (May 2025)
Vetoed a unanimously passed bill banning surprise billing by ambulance companies; timing of veto prevents override until 2026.
Colorado Senate overrode Polis veto of SB 86 (social media bill)
On April 25, 2025 the Colorado Senate overrode Governor Polis's veto of SB 86 concerning compelled removal of certain social media accounts; Polis had vetoed the bill earlier.
Vetoed bill banning rent‑fixing algorithms (May 2025)
Vetoed legislation that would have banned the use of rent‑setting algorithms; the software company RealPage praised the veto.
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