Childhood and Education Journey of Jared Polis in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 12, 2026

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Jared Polis. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

May 12, 1975: Jared Polis Born

On May 12, 1975, Jared Schutz Polis was born. He is an American politician and businessman who has served as the 43rd governor of Colorado since 2019.

1975: Born in Boulder, Colorado

In 1975, Jared Polis was born at Boulder Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado, to Stephen Schutz and Susan Polis Schutz.

1996: Graduated from Princeton University

In 1996, Jared Polis graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in politics. He wrote a senior thesis titled "Paradigm Shift: Politics in the Information Age".

2000: Legally Changed Surname

In 2000, Jared Polis legally changed his surname to his mother's, Polis, to raise awareness for a fundraiser and because he liked it better.

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.

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.

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.

2011: First Openly Gay Parent in Congress

In 2011, Jared Polis became the first openly gay parent in Congress.

2011: Birth of Son

In 2011, Polis and his husband, Marlon Reis, had a son.

2014: Birth of Daughter

In 2014, Polis and his husband, Marlon Reis, had a daughter.

2018: First Openly Gay Man Elected Governor

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

September 2021: Marriage to Marlon Reis

In September 2021, Polis married his longtime partner, Marlon Reis, in a small Jewish Renewal ceremony held at the University of Colorado Boulder.

2021: First Governor in a Same-Sex Marriage

In 2021, Jared Polis became the first governor in a same-sex marriage.

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.

July 2023: Instagram Post Referencing Taylor Swift

Before Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arrived in Denver in July 2023, Polis posted a letter on his Instagram account with dozens of her song lyrics as a public declaration of his enjoyment of Taylor Swift's music.

March 2024: Education Funding Speech with Taylor Swift Reference

In March 2024, at a Denver Capitol event on education funding, Polis spoke under a friendship bracelet-themed banner with the words "fully funded era", widely speculated to be a reference to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

August 21, 2024: Speech at Democratic National Convention Referencing Taylor Swift

On August 21, 2024, Polis used lyrics from Taylor Swift's song "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.

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