Career Timeline of Jared Polis: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jared Polis built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jared Polis is the current governor of Colorado, serving since 2019. Prior to this, he was a U.S. Representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district for five terms (2009-2019) and served on the Colorado State Board of Education (2001-2007). Notably, he was the only Democratic member of the Liberty Caucus, reflecting a blend of liberal and libertarian viewpoints. He won the gubernatorial election in 2018 and secured reelection in 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1986: Sponsored Aaron's Law

Following the suicide of Aaron Swartz, Polis sponsored Aaron's Law to exclude terms of service violations from the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and from the wire fraud statute.

1996: Co-founded bluemountain.com

In 1996, Polis co-founded bluemountain.com, a free electronic greeting card website.

February 1998: Founded ProFlowers

In February 1998, Polis founded ProFlowers, an online florist, in La Jolla, California.

1999: bluemountain.com sold to Excite@Home

In 1999, bluemountain.com was sold to Excite@Home for $430 million in stock and $350 million in cash.

2000: Elected to Colorado State Board of Education

In 2000, Jared Polis was elected at-large as a member of the Colorado State Board of Education.

2001: Elected to Colorado State Board of Education

In 2001, Jared Polis was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education.

December 17, 2003: ProFlowers Goes Public on NASDAQ

On December 17, 2003, ProFlowers, later renamed Provide Commerce, Inc., went public on NASDAQ as PRVD.

2005: Liberty Media Acquires Provide Commerce

In 2005, media conglomerate Liberty Media Corporation acquired Provide Commerce for $477 million.

November 2006: Boulder Valley School District Voters Approved Measure

In November 2006, 58% of Boulder Valley School District voters approved ballot question 3A.

November 2006: Colorado Voters Approve Ethics in Government Amendment

In November 2006, 62.3% of Colorado voters approved the "Ethics in Government" constitutional amendment, which Coloradans for Clean Government supported. Polis served as co-chair.

2006: Founded TechStars

In 2006, Polis and other investors founded TechStars in Boulder, Colorado.

January 2007: End of Term on Colorado State Board of Education

In January 2007, Jared Polis's single six-year term on the Colorado State Board of Education concluded when the district was eliminated.

2007: End of Term on Colorado State Board of Education

In 2007, Jared Polis's term on the Colorado State Board of Education ended.

2007: Co-Chaired "Building for Our Future" Campaign

In 2007, Polis co-chaired the "Building for Our Future" campaign to support ballot question 3A in the Boulder Valley School District.

2008: Elected to Congress as an Openly Gay Man

In 2008, Jared Polis became the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.

2008: Won Election for Colorado's 2nd Congressional District

In 2008, Polis won a heavily contested Democratic primary election for Colorado's 2nd congressional district and then won the general election with 63% of the vote.

2009: Elected as U.S. Representative

In 2009, Jared Polis was elected as the United States Representative from Colorado's 2nd congressional district.

2010: Re-elected to the House

In 2010, Polis was re-elected to the House with 57% of the vote.

2011: Supported Legalization of Cannabis

In 2011, Polis voiced his support for the legalization of cannabis, drawing a parallel to the failure of alcohol prohibition.

2012: Re-elected to the House

In 2012, Polis was re-elected to the House with 56% of the vote.

2012: Red to Blue Program Chair for DCCC

In 2012, Polis was the Red to Blue program chair for the DCCC, helping recruit and raise money for Democratic candidates in competitive congressional districts.

2013: Introduced Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act

In 2013, Polis introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act.

May 2014: Accepted Campaign Donations via Bitcoin

In May 2014, Polis became the first U.S. representative and member of Congress to accept campaign donations via Bitcoin.

September 2014: Files Discharge Petition for LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act

In September 2014, Polis filed a discharge petition to bring the LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the House floor for a vote. He also urged Obama to reconsider the inclusion of Malaysia and Brunei in a Trans-Pacific Partnership due to their LGBT rights records.

2014: Re-elected to the House

In 2014, Polis was re-elected to the House with 57% of the vote.

2015: Introduced Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act

In 2015, Polis introduced the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act.

2016: Re-elected to the House

In 2016, Polis was re-elected to the House with 57% of the vote.

February 2017: Launched Congressional Cannabis Caucus

In February 2017, Polis launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus along with Representatives Don Young, Earl Blumenauer, and Dana Rohrabacher.

November 6, 2018: Elected Governor of Colorado

On November 6, 2018, Polis was elected governor of Colorado.

2018: First Openly Gay Man Elected Governor

In 2018, Jared Polis became the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state.

2018: Elected Governor of Colorado

In 2018, Jared Polis was elected governor of Colorado.

2018: Original Cosponsor of Marijuana Justice Act

In 2018, Polis was an original cosponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act that was first introduced in the House.

January 8, 2019: Polis Sworn in as Governor

On January 8, 2019, Polis was sworn in as the governor of Colorado.

June 2019: Signs Bill Banning Conversion Therapy for Minors

In June 2019, Polis signed a bill banning conversion therapy for minors, marking a significant legislative achievement.

2019: Became Governor of Colorado

In 2019, Jared Polis began serving as the 43rd governor of Colorado.

July 2020: Donation to Ilhan Omar's Primary Opponent

In July 2020, Polis donated $1,000 to the primary opponent of Representative Ilhan Omar in her 2020 reelection campaign.

2021: Pardoned Coloradans Convicted of Marijuana Possession

In 2021, Polis pardoned 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession.

February 2022: Announced Colorado Would Accept Bitcoin for Tax Payments

In February 2022, Polis announced that Colorado would become the first state to allow its residents to pay state taxes with Bitcoin.

February 2022: Denounces Anti-Trans Legislation

In February 2022, Polis publicly denounced anti-trans legislation being passed in Republican-controlled states, labeling it as "un-American."

2022: First Openly Gay Man Re-elected and First Governor in a Same-Sex Marriage Elected to a Second Term

In 2022, Jared Polis became the first openly gay man and the first governor in a same-sex marriage elected to a second term in office.

2022: Re-elected Governor of Colorado

In 2022, Jared Polis was re-elected as governor of Colorado.

April 14, 2023: Signs Health Care Bills Enshrining Access to Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care

On April 14, 2023, Polis signed into law three health care bills in Colorado, ensuring access to abortion, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming surgery for people in Colorado and from surrounding states without fear of prosecution.

April 29, 2024: Signs Law Requiring Public Schools to Use Trans Students' Preferred Names

On April 29, 2024, Polis signed a law mandating that public schools use transgender students' preferred names, supporting inclusivity.

January 2025: State of the State Address

In January 2025, during his State of the State address, Polis expressed his hope to collaborate with Trump on border security, while cautioning against actions like deporting American citizens or targeting those with pending legal status. He also addressed the detention of an undocumented immigration and labor activist in Colorado.

April 2025: Criticism of Michigan Governor's Speech on Tariffs

In April 2025, Polis criticized Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's speech regarding potential agreement with President Trump on tariffs, arguing against the use of tariffs as they lead to higher prices and harm American manufacturing.

April 25, 2025: Colorado Senate Overrides Veto of Senate Bill 86

On April 25, 2025, the Colorado Senate overrode Polis's veto of Senate Bill 86, which would require large social media companies to remove accounts involved in illegal activity concerning children under 13.