Jared Polis

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. He was born at Boulder Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado, in 1975. He lived in San Diego, California, as a high school student and graduated 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. While at Princeton, Polis served as communications director of the undergraduate student government and was involved in other campus organizations, such as Model Congress, Phi Gamma Delta, and the Princeton Juggling Club. 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 $1,000". In 2000, he legally changed his surname to his mother's to raise awareness for a fundraiser and because he simply "liked it better".

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. 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. ProFlowers, later renamed Provide Commerce, Inc., went public on NASDAQ as PRVD on December 17, 2003. In 2005, media conglomerate Liberty Media Corporation acquired Provide Commerce for $477 million. Polis and other investors founded TechStars in Boulder, Colorado, in 2006. It developed into a global venture capital firm. During his tenure in Congress, Polis was among its wealthiest members; his net worth was estimated at more than $300 million.

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. 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.

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. 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. During his term, Polis served as both chairman and vice chairman of the board.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009-2019)

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. Polis was reelected to the House in 2010 with 57% of the vote, in 2012 with 56% of the vote, in 2014 with 57% of the vote, and in 2016 with 57% of the vote.

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. After the elections, he considered running for vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus after then-Chair Xavier Becerra was term-limited. The position went to Representative Joe Crowley.

Legislation sponsored

The following is an incomplete list of legislation Polis introduced:

• The Affordable College Textbook Act had been introduced in the 113th and 114th Congresses. Reintroduced by Polis in the 115th Congress, it again died in committee.

Committee assignments

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

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
  • Subcommittee on Federal Lands
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on Rules
  • Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Cannabis Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• LGBT Equality Caucus (co-chair)
• Congressional Blockchain Caucus (co-chair)
• Mexico Caucus (co-chair)
• Nepal Caucus (co-chair)
• Veterinary Medicine Caucus
• New Democrat Coalition
• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
• NO PAC Caucus
• Liberty Caucus
• U.S.-Japan Caucus
• Problem Solvers Caucus

Governor of Colorado (2019-present)

Elections

2018

Main article: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election

In 2018, Polis announced his candidacy for governor of Colorado. 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; 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.

2022

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.

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. 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". In 2025, Polis had an approval rate of 41% and a disapproval rate of 52% among Colorado voters.

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, 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 wrote that he was "the most libertarian governor in America". Polis has also called himself a "libertarian", but the characterization has been disputed, with critics pointing to his record on gun control, alcohol regulation, and taxes as inconsistent with libertarian principles.

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." After being criticized 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".

Civil liberties

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." Legislation he has introduced includes the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act in 2013, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act in 2015, and the McClintock–Polis amendment in 2015 (to prevent federal interference in states that have legalized medical or recreational use; it failed 206–222). He was also an original cosponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act that was first introduced in the House in 2018. In February 2017, Polis launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus along with Representatives Don Young, Earl Blumenauer, and Dana Rohrabacher. In 2021, he pardoned 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession.

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." 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." Polis and 167 other House members voted against CISPA.

Polis and Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Darrell Issa sponsored Aaron's Law 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. The proposed bill would exclude terms of service violations from the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and from the wire fraud statute. 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."

Patriot Act

Polis has been a vocal opponent of the Patriot Act.

Cryptocurrency

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

Energy

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

Food safety

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

Foreign policy

Afghanistan

In 2010, Polis 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." He also took a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan, meeting with former Afghan Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar, U.S. military officials, and diplomats.

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."

Healthcare

In May 2025, Polis vetoed a bill unanimously passed by the state legislature that would have banned surprise billing by ambulance companies. Because he waited until after May 7 to veto it, the legislature cannot override the veto until 2026.

Vaccines

Polis has called himself "pro-choice" on vaccines. In 2019, he opposed a major provision in House Bill 1312 that made it harder for parents to seek non-medical vaccine exemptions for their children.

Polis was among the few Democrats who praised vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., commending his work in "having helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado" before later posting in support of getting vaccinated. He supported Trump's nomination of Kennedy for secretary of Health and Human Services and wrote that he supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s willingness to "take on big pharma and corporate ag" while avoiding rebuking him for his anti-vaccine ideas.

In an interview with POLITICO Magazine, Polis said that Democrats "need to speak to a larger coalition" of voters. He expressed disagreement with the Trump administration and noted that he is "not a fan" of its actions, and said he differs with Kennedy on certain issues, such as vaccine efficacy, but encouraged people to "investigate RFK’s positions for themselves rather than attack Kennedy as a default." He argued that many Colorado Democrats share Kennedy’s views on matters like health and nutrition and said that the Democratic Party "can't win without accepting a wider range of perspectives", including "welcoming voters that like RFK" and "voters that value freedom and liberty and government efficiency," saying that "those should be folks that we welcome to the Democratic Party and that we incorporate into our agenda."

Housing

In May 2025, Polis vetoed a bill that would have banned the use of rent-fixing algorithms, which critics argued landlords were using to collude to charge the highest possible rents. Software company RealPage, a well-known provider of one such algorithm, applauded the veto, which it called an example of "courageous leadership".

Immigration

During the U.S. border crisis, Polis relocated migrants via publicly sponsored buses to New York City and Chicago. On January 7, 2023, he said he would no longer send migrants to Chicago.

In January 2025, Polis said in his State of the State address that he hoped to work with Trump on securing the border but warned against "efforts to deport American citizens, to target those on pending legal status, to break up families", and he has since pressed the administration over the detention of an undocumented immigration and labor activist in Colorado.

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."

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 prohibition in all public and elementary and secondary schools of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, expanding Title IX of the Education Amendments Act to LGBT students. 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." In a letter to Obama, Polis and 67 other House members urged 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.

In September 2014, Polis filed a discharge petition to bring the LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the House floor for a vote. The revised legislation included narrow religious exemptions. Polis urged Obama to reconsider the inclusion of Malaysia and Brunei in a Trans-Pacific Partnership because of their poor record on LGBT rights. In June 2019, Polis signed a bill banning conversion therapy for minors. In February 2022, he denounced anti-trans legislation being passed in Republican-controlled states, calling it "un-American". On April 14, 2023, he signed into law three health care bills enshrining access to abortion and gender-affirming procedures and medications in Colorado. The bills ensure people in surrounding states and beyond can have an abortion, begin puberty blockers, or receive gender-affirming surgery in Colorado without fear of prosecution. On April 29, 2024, Polis signed a law requiring public schools to use trans students' preferred names.

Social media

Polis vetoed Senate Bill 86, which would compel large social media companies to remove accounts engaged in illegal activity involving children under 13. On April 25, 2025, the Colorado Senate overrode the veto.

Trade and tariffs

Polis is a staunch advocate of free trade and has been a vocal critic of Trump's tariffs. He criticized a portion of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's speech in Washington in April 2025 in which she said that there was room for some agreement with President Trump on tariffs but warned against Trump's use of the "tariff hammer", instead advocating for using tariffs like a scalpel. Polis wrote in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter): "The 'tariff hammer' winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction. While sanctions (Russia, Iran) can have a geopolitical national security role, it should always be considered eyes wide open that sanctions harm both ourself and others."

Richard Hanania and Nicholas Decker

On X, Polis wrote that he would "recommend following public intellectuals Richard Hanania and [Nicholas Decker] who are doing actual thinking which is rare these days". Hanania had previously expressed white supremacist opinions, while Decker, an undergraduate student, had advocated for violence against the Trump administration and defended zoophilia and AI-generated child pornography. After criticism of Polis's post, his spokesperson told Denver 7, "The governor was clear in his post that he doesn't agree with the majority of what these individuals post, including those that you reference in your question. He believes many of their views are abhorrent. Governor Polis's focus remains on leading for Colorado, and that includes listening to opposing perspectives and finding ways to disagree better no matter where they land in the depths of social media."{{Cite web |last=Smith|first=Micah|date=December 8, 2025 |title=Gov. Jared Polis once again generates controversy for posting support of polarizing political figures

Personal life

Polis was the first non-incumbent openly gay man elected to Congress, and the first openly gay parent in Congress. He is also the nation's second openly gay parent to hold state-level government office. Polis and his husband, Marlon Reis, have a son and a daughter, born in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Polis is Jewish.

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". Polis enjoys video games such as League of Legends. His favorite champions include Maokai and Anivia. He is also an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets, and Denver Broncos. He is a fan of South Park and interviewed the show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Polis has declared his love of Taylor Swift's music and has regularly made reference to this in public communications. Before Swift's Eras Tour arrived in Denver in July 2023, Polis posted a letter on his Instagram account with dozens of her song lyrics. In a March 2024 event on the Denver Capitol steps addressing education funding, he spoke under a friendship bracelet-themed banner with the words "fully funded era" that many speculated was a reference to the Eras Tour. In his speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 21, 2024, he used lyrics from Swift's song "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together". In July 2020, Polis donated $1,000 to Representative Ilhan Omar's primary opponent in her 2020 reelection campaign. In September 2021, Polis married his longtime partner, Marlon Reis, in a small Jewish Renewal ceremony with family and a few friends. The wedding took place at the University of Colorado Boulder, from which Reis graduated.

Electoral history

| | | | | | |- |2016 | |Jared Polis | | Democratic | |57% | |Nic Morse | | Republican | |37% | |Richard Longstreth | |Libertarian | |6% | | | |-

References

References

1. Smith, Allan. (May 3, 2020). "Republicans are reopening. Why is Democratic Gov. Polis doing the same in Colorado?".
2. Sheridan, Jake. (January 9, 2023). "Mayor Lori Lightfoot demands Colorado stop busing migrants to Chicago in letter to governor". [[Chicago Tribune]].
3. (November 5, 2008). "Polis wins Colo. 2nd District". The Denver Post.
4. (November 12, 2008). "Congressional roundup: three new Jews, but no rabbi". St. Louis Jewish Light.
5. (September 30, 2011). "Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress". HuffPost.
6. "Jared Polis to become Colorado's first openly gay governor". [[Los Angeles Times]].
7. Nugent, Ciara. (November 7, 2018). "Jared Polis Makes History As America's First Openly Gay Male Governor".
8. (November 7, 2018). "Jared Polis elected first Jewish governor of Colorado". [[The Times of Israel]].
9. Birkeland, Bente. (September 15, 2021). "Gov. Jared Polis And Long-Time Partner Marlon Reis Marry In Small, Private Ceremony". [[Colorado Public Radio]].
10. Ring, Trudy. (November 8, 2022). "Colorado's Jared Polis Is First Out Gay Man Reelected Governor". [[The Advocate (LGBT magazine).
11. Michael Roberts. (August 19, 2004). "Young Blood". Westword.
12. Schutz, Jared Polis. "Paradigm Shift: Politics in the Information Age". Princeton University. Department of Politics.
13. "Jared Polis '96 reflects on goals, openly gay identity".
14. (May 2025). "Jared Polis Schutz Acquires, Sells Valuable Stamps".
15. "Bio".
16. Susan Glairon. (January 20, 2006). "After 35 Years, Card Company Still on Top". Associated Press.
17. Larry Dignan. (October 25, 1999). "Excite@Home buys Bluemountainarts.com for $780m". zdnet.co.uk.
18. "NASDAQ: Prospectus Provide Commerce, Inc.".
19. Perez, Juan Carlos. (December 6, 2005). "Liberty Media buys e-commerce provider".
20. Park, Brian. "Congressman Jared Polis: Before TechStars Were Stars".
21. "Jared Polis (D-Colo), 2015". [[OpenSecrets]].
22. (May 2005). "The Gang of Four". 5280 The Denver Magazine.
23. Rodgers, Jakob. (November 12, 2018). "Colorado turned blue, but will it last?". [[The Colorado Statesman]].
24. "In the case that the number of congressional districts is even, one member is elected at-large".
25. (November 29, 2000). "Recount confirms Polis won seat on ed board; Republican Alexander won't contest second tally". [[The Denver Post]].
26. Colbert, Stephen. (August 17, 2009). "Even Better-er Know a District – Colorado's 2nd". [[The Colbert Report]].
27. (June 26, 2008). "Polis on Politics". Boulder Weekly.
28. Fender, Jessica. (August 13, 2008). "Polis moves on to November". Denver Post.
29. (January 24, 2007). "Gift law spurs major battle". [[Rocky Mountain News]].
30. (November 10, 2006). "Bonds will pump new money into aging schools". [[Daily Camera]].
31. (August 4, 2014). "Deal Struck in Colorado Over Vote on Drilling".
32. Frosch, Dan. (August 13, 2008). "Gay Candidate Wins a Colorado Primary". [[The New York Times]].
33. "Election Results - cbs4denver.com".
34. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010".
35. "Colorado's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012".
36. "Colorado's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014".
37. "Colorado's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016".
38. "DEMOCRATIC HOUSE AND CAUCUS LEADERSHIP". dccc.org.
39. (July 31, 2012). "Jared Polis has leadership spot in sights". [[Politico]].
40. Min Kim, Seung. (November 28, 2012). "Barbara Lee drops leadership bid, clears way for Joe Crowley". [[Politico]].
41. "Jared Polis' Biography". votesmart.org.
42. Matthews, Mark K.. (February 16, 2017). "U.S. Rep. Jared Polis joins with congressional colleagues to create Cannabis Caucus". [[The Denver Post]].
43. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus.
44. "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus.
45. "Members". New Democrat Coalition.
46. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus.
47. "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus.
48. Meyer, Theodoric. (July 12, 2017). "Khanna starts PAC-free caucus". [[Politico]].
49. (September 2, 2018). "Is Jared Polis a "Boulder liberal?" Republicans make the case, but his record is more complicated.". The Denver Post.
50. "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus.
51. "Featured Members".
52. . (November 2, 2018). ["In Governors' Elections This Year, Republicans Have A Lot To Lose"](https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/660269022/in-governors-elections-this-year-republicans-have-a-lot-to-lose). *[[National Public Radio]]*.
53. (November 6, 2018). "Colorado Governor's Race: Jared Polis Tops Walker Stapleton". [[Colorado Public Radio]].
54. Eason, Brian. (March 11, 2019). "Worried about slowing economy, Democrats look to delay Polis pledge for full-day kindergarten". [[The Colorado Sun]].
55. (August 13, 2004). "McGreevey: 'I am a gay American'". [[CNN]].
56. "Tracer – Candidate Detail".
57. "Jared Polis".
58. Frank, John. (November 9, 2018). "Jared Polis announces transition team stocked with big-name Democrats". [[The Colorado Sun]].
59. Garcia, Nic. (September 6, 2019). "Attempt to force recall election of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis falls short". [[The Denver Post]].
60. (2025-09-08). "Colorado voters curdle on top Democrats — including Gov. Polis and U.S. senators — amid party's slide". The Denver Post.
61. Post (TNS), Nick Coltrain-The Denver. (2025-09-09). "Colorado voters curdle on top Democrats — including Gov. Polis and US senators — amid party's slide".
62. (January 9, 2024). "Polis lobbies property-tax commission to consider land value tax".
63. Gillespie, Nick. (April 25, 2022). "Jared Polis: The Most Libertarian Governor in America?".
64. (July 1, 2022). "Jared Polis Wants To Leave You Alone".
65. (November 10, 2022). "Jared Polis' Success Shows That Democrats Can Win Without Embracing Big Government".
66. Gillespie, Nick. (2025-04-15). "'Libertarian' Gov. Jared Polis signs 'restrictive' gun law and booze ban".
67. Peif, Sherrie. (2025-05-07). "Reason Magazine tugs back on Gov. Jared Polis' 'libertarian' card".
68. "Better that five innocent students get expelled than one guilty student stay enrolled - The Washington Post". [[The Washington Post]].
69. "Polis sparks controversy with remarks about campus rape cases".
70. Chasmar, Jessica. (September 16, 2015). "Democratic Rep. Jared Polis: 'I went too far' with Campus Rape Remarks".
71. Brian Montopoli. (April 6, 2011). "Rep. Jared Polis: Federal government shouldn't be banning marijuana". cbsnews.com.
72. (February 6, 2013). "Legalization Hits the Hill".
73. (February 26, 2015). "US Congress: Legislation Introduced To Get the Feds Out Of The Marijuana Enforcement Business". NORML.
74. (June 3, 2015). "House passes bill to prevent DOJ from interfering in states' medical pot laws". The Cannabist.
75. (January 17, 2018). "House Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill, Focused on Racial Justice, As Companion to Cory Booker's Senate Bill". Drug Policy Alliance.
76. (December 31, 2021). "Colorado governor pardons 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession". The Denver Post.
77. Kain, Erik. (January 18, 2012). "An Interview With Rep. Jared Polis: Why We Need To Stop SOPA". forbes.com.
78. (January 18, 2012). "Protecting an Open Internet by Fighting SOPA". youtube.com.
79. "How CISPA would affect you (faq)". news.cnet.com.
80. "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 192". clerk.house.gov.
81. (January 15, 2013). "Lawmakers slam DOJ prosecution of Swartz as 'ridiculous, absurd'". thehill.com.
82. (January 16, 2013). "Aaron's Law: Violating a Site's Terms of Service Should Not Land You in Jail". theatlantic.com.
83. (January 16, 2013). "Aaron Swartz's Suicide Triggers Response from Top U.S. Lawmakers". [[Time (magazine).
84. Pearce, Matt. (January 18, 2013). "Aaron Swartz suicide has U.S. lawmakers scrutinizing prosecutors". Los Angeles Times.
85. [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/federal-regulators-approve-bitcoin-political-campaign-donations-n100761 Federal Regulators Approve Bitcoin for Political Campaign Donations] - [[NBC News]], November 26, 2014
86. (May 9, 2014). "Colorado Congressman Seizes on New Bitcoin Rules".
87. Constantino, Tor. (February 18, 2022). "Bitcoin Will Be Accepted for State Tax Payments in June Says Colorado Gov. Polis".
88. Newton-Small, Jay. (July 14, 2014). "Friendly Fire Over Colorado Fracking Could Cost Democrats the U.S. Senate".
89. (August 4, 2014). "Democrat Jared Polis Withdraws Support for Colorado Fracking Initiatives". Time.
90. Hamblin, James. (December 8, 2016). "Is Fermented Tea Making People Feel Enlightened Because of ... Alcohol".
91. "Congressional Letter".
92. (December 6, 2016). "The Kombucha Freedom Warrior".
93. (April 22, 2014). "Food Freedom cause grows with help".
94. (March 10, 2010). "Boulder Rep. Jared Polis: Withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan". www.dailycamera.com.
95. (May 13, 2009). "Just Back from Afghanistan". www.huffingtonpost.com.
96. (August 14, 2009). "Candidate Q&A: Jared Polis". www.dailycamera.com.
97. "Dem Governor Vetoes Ban on Surprise Ambulance Bills in Shocking Move".
98. Burness, Alex. (December 3, 2021). "Gov. Jared Polis: "Misinformation and targeted lies" hindering vaccine efforts, killing Coloradans". [[The Denver Post]].
99. Birkeland, Bente. (April 26, 2019). "Gov. Polis Takes Strongest Stance Yet On Vaccine Bill, Indicates He Would Not Sign It".
100. (November 14, 2024). "Colorado's Democratic governor cheers RFK Jr. pick for HHS".
101. (July 6, 2025). "The People Who Brought You Bill Clinton Want to Introduce You to the 'Colorado Way'".
102. (2025-05-30). "Colorado's governor vetoes landmark ban on rent-setting algorithms".
103. (2025-05-30). "Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have banned algorithm that White House said drove up Denver rents".
104. (January 8, 2023). "Colorado will halt busing of migrants to Chicago after conversation with Lightfoot, governor says".
105. (2025-04-11). "How Democrats' potential presidential contenders are scoping out different paths to 2028".
106. "President Obama Instructs Justice Department to Stop Defending Defense of Marriage Act cal Clinton-Signed Law "Unconstitutional"". abcnews.go.com.
107. "Historic Support for Non-Discrimination Act". aclu.org.
108. (March 10, 2011). "Polis reintroduces Student Non-Discrimination Act". washingtonblade.com.
109. (September 17, 2014). "Polis files discharge petition on ENDA with narrowed religious exemption". LGBTQ Nation.
110. (February 18, 2015). "LGBT Members Of Congress Object To Free-Trade Deal With Countries Criminalizing LGBT People". BuzzFeed.
111. (June 1, 2019). "Colorado's Jared Polis, nation's 1st gay governor, signs bill banning conversion therapy for minors".
112. (February 21, 2022). "Openly Gay Governor Criticizes Wave of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation as 'Un-American': 'Words Matter'". [[People (magazine).
113. (15 April 2023). "Colorado governor signs bills further enshrining rights to abortion and gender-affirming care". [[CNN]].
114. (14 April 2023). "Gov. Jared Polis signs 3 bills into law expanding Colorado's protections for abortion, transgender care". [[The Denver Post]].
115. (April 14, 2023). "Colorado offers safe haven for abortion, transgender care".
116. (May 24, 2024). "Colorado Dem chair calls GOP 'stupid' for urging parents to pull kids from public schools".
117. marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com, Marianne Goodland. (2025-04-25). "Colorado Senate overrides Gov. Jared Polis veto of social media bill".
118. Birkeland ·, Bente. (2025-04-24). "Polis vetoes social media bill, setting up potential showdown with legislature".
119. (October 5, 2025). "Why Jared Polis Wants Democrats to Campaign on Free Trade".
120. Manchester, Julia. (April 9, 2025). "Polis pushes back on Whitmer's remarks on tariffs". The Hill.
121. Kesting, Amanda. (September 15, 2021). "Governor Jared Polis marries First Gentleman Marlon Reis in small ceremony". [[KUSA (TV).
122. Terkel, Amanda. (September 30, 2011). "Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress". Huffington Post.
123. Parkinson, John. "House Democrat Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent in Congress". ABC News.
124. '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]{{dead link. (January 2022)
125. (September 30, 2011). "Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent In Congress".
126. "House Democrat Jared Polis Becomes First Openly Gay Parent in Congress".
127. (July 4, 2014). "Congressman Polis announces baby girl has joined family".
128. Ryan Howe. (November 6, 2018). "Jared Polis Makes History As Nation's First Openly Gay Governor". [[Out Front (newspaper).
129. Julie Turke. (June 22, 2018). "In the Race for Governor, How Far Left Is Colorado Willing to Go?". [[The New York Times]].
130. [[Colorado Public Radio]] Staff and [[Associated Press. (November 7, 2018). "Colorado Governor's Race: Jared Polis Defeats Walker Stapleton And Makes History". [[Colorado Public Radio]].
131. "Three New Jewish Members of Congress". The Jewish Federations.
132. Meet the ‘balding gay Jew’ now leading America’s governors; Politico; [https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/07/governors-colorado-jared-polis-00172910]
133. "Queerty Pride50 2019 Honorees".
134. Augustine, Josh. (January 11, 2012). "U.S. Congressman joins League of Legends developer in urging fans to oppose SOPA/PIPA". pcgamer.
135. Bianchi, Chris. (October 21, 2018). "Jared Polis on Home Life, His Childhood and the Rockies".
136. (June 14, 2019). "Remembering Pat Bowlen: NFL, Broncos and Colorado communities honor legendary Denver Broncos owner".
137. (June 26, 2022). "21 years in the making — proud to be a Colorado Avalanche fan. Welcome to your new home, StanleyCup!".
138. "Trey & Matt's Conversation with Colorado Governor Jared Polis". South Park Studios.
139. Dailey, Hannah. (2023-07-12). "Colorado's Gov. Jared Polis Pens Letter Using Taylor Swift Lyrics to Welcome The Eras Tour to Denver".
140. (2024-03-01). "With nods to Taylor Swift, Colorado lawmakers declare break-up with education funding gap".
141. "Polis on Trump: We're 'like never, ever, ever' going back".
142. (July 28, 2020). "Colorado Gov. Donates to Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar's primary opponent".
143. Cramer, Philissa. (September 17, 2021). "Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and His Partner Have Very Jewish Wedding".
144. Birkeland, Bente. (September 15, 2021). "Gov. Jared Polis And Long-Time Partner Marlon Reis Marry In Small, Private Ceremony". [[Colorado Public Radio]].
145. "Election Night Reporting".
146. "Colorado Election Results - State Offices".
147. (August 14, 2009). "Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2008 Primary and 2008 General". [[Secretary of State of Colorado]].
148. "Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2008 Primary and 2010 General".