Jared Polis for Congress

Hi, I’m Jared Polis and I’m running for US Congress from Colorado’s second Congressional District. I want to share some of my qualifications with you, tell you why I want to serve, and give you a sense of what kind of US Representative I will be:

What qualifies me?
Why am I running?
What kind of Representative will I be?

What qualifies me?

A Strong Fighter for Public Education

Played a critical leadership role in building a coalition to successfully pass Amendment 23— which has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding for Colorado’s public schools.

Served six years on the Colorado State Board of Education, and was selected by my colleagues to serve as the first Democratic Chairman in over forty years. During my tenure I successfully worked to establish new ways to help schools close the learning gap, improve access to online education, helped win increased funding for at-risk students, and worked to improve teacher preparation programs at our colleges and universities.

Co-chaired a successful $300 million bond initiative in the Boulder Valley School District to make repairs and upgrades to learning environments across the district as well as improve energy efficiency.

Founded and serve as superintendent of the New America School—a school focused on empowering new immigrants with the educational tools and support they need to maximize their potential, succeed and live their American dream.

Co-founded The Academy of Urban Learning with Urban Peak to provide homeless youth and youth in transitional housing an opportunity to earn a high school diploma.

Co-chaired the Colorado Commission on High School Improvement

Chaired a National Association of State Boards of Education study group on financial literacy

A Loyal Democrat and Dedicated CitizenJared Polis

When the Democratic Party needs me, I am there…

Served as a member of the Colorado Democratic Party Executive Committee from 2000-2007

Member of the Boulder County Democrats Executive Committee, 2000-2007

Volunteered for many campaigns including Josie Heath, Stan Matsunaka, Angie Paccione, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry… – In fact, my first experience volunteering in a campaign was phone banking for Michael Dukakis when I was 13!

Spearheaded a coalition of major donors in 2004 to win control of the state legislature for the Democratic Party

Successfully co-chaired a coalition to pass ethics reform in Colorado that banned lobbyists from giving gifts to public officials despite intense opposition from lobbyists and special interests.

A Proven Community Leader

Jared PolisProvided founding support and office space to Leader’s Challenge, a program that brings leadership and civic engagement training to high school students throughout Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, and Adams Counties

Alumni of Leadership Boulder through the Boulder Chamber of Commerce

Served on several non-profit boards including Colorado Conservation Voters, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, LARASA, The Watershed School, and the Colorado Anti-Defamation League

Founded and run the Community Computer Connection—a program that refurbishes and donates more than 3,500 computers a year to schools as well as non-profit organizations that serve communities in need

Jared Polis Foundation: The Jared Polis Foundation was founded in 2000 to improve and expand access to education. Its annual Teacher Recognition Awards celebrate the enormous commitment and importance of teachers—hundreds of teachers and their schools receive micro-grants as a part of their recognition

Recipient of numerous awards honoring community involvement and leadership including the Ohtli Award from the Mexican Consulate, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Philanthropist of the Year Award, the Kauffman Foundation’s Community Award, the ADL Community Builder Award, and the Boulder Daily Camera’s 2007 Pacesetter Award in Education

A Successful Entrepreneur and Businessman

Jared PolisFounded several high tech companies that employed new technology to innovate and help consumers purchase fresher flowers at a better price, send free electronic greeting cards, and acquire inexpensive access to the internet

Created hundreds of high-paying jobs and always included strong healthcare benefits for employees

Grew up in a small, family business in Boulder, CO. My mother is a poet and my father is an artist and together they started Blue Mountain Arts in 1970. I succeeded my grandmother as sales manager at Blue Mountain Arts, and later ran an online spin-off

Named an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000

Recognized as the Outstanding Young Coloradoan by the Colorado Jaycees.

Why am I running?

My parents were active in the anti-war movement in the 1960s. Their legacy of idealism and working to make the world a better place is a core value that they instilled in me from an early age. A native of Boulder, I believe we need to build upon the vision of my parents’ generation and pragmatically do our part to create a peaceful, fair, prosperous and just world.

My success in the private sector has allowed me to spend my time and efforts working to ensure that others enjoy the same kind of opportunities that I have had. All Americans deserve a strong foundation that enables them to succeed and live their dreams including quality affordable health care and a world-class public education system. I have a track record of innovation in the public and private sector, and I will bring new ideas to our federal government and introduce “out-of-the-box” solutions to address the challenges our nation faces. We succeed or fail together as a nation and we need to respect our differences and truly value our diversity so that we can forward together and end poverty, grow the economy with high-paying jobs, end the war in Iraq, and ensure opportunity and hope for future generations. I will bring integrity and dedication to Washington DC and will do my personal best to excel in representing you in the next US Congress.

If elected I will work hard to make Colorado, America, and the world a better place, and I would be honored to have your support.

What type of representative will I be?

• I will be an independent progressive voice for Colorado.
• I will collaborate with state officials in both parties to support economic development, good-paying jobs, and sustainable growth in Colorado.
• I will always make time to meet with and listen to all constituents who want to meet with me, both in the district as well as in Washington DC.
• I will work to change the culture of Washington DC by supporting strong ethics laws and campaign finance reform.