John Hickenlooper

John Hickenlooper is a Democratic U.S. Senator from Colorado, first elected in 2020 and assuming office in January 2021. Born in Narberth, Pennsylvania, he earned his B.A. in English and M.S. in Geology from Wesleyan University. He began his professional career as a geologist for Buckhorn Petroleum but transitioned into entrepreneurship after being laid off in 1986. In 1988, he co-founded the Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, which became a cornerstone of the city's downtown revitalization and one of the first brewpubs in the United States. Hickenlooper's political career includes serving as the Mayor of Denver from 2003 to 2011 and as the 42nd Governor of Colorado from 2011 to 2019. As governor, he expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to hundreds of thousands of Coloradans and implemented the nation's first methane emission regulations. He briefly sought the Democratic nomination for President in 2020 before withdrawing to run for the U.S. Senate, where he successfully challenged incumbent Republican Cory Gardner. In the Senate, Hickenlooper has been a key figure in bipartisan negotiations, contributing significantly to the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. He serves on several committees, including Energy and Natural Resources; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. His legislative accomplishments emphasize climate sustainability, small business advocacy, and healthcare affordability, including efforts to lower prescription drug costs through Medicare negotiation.

Senator Hickenlooper supports achieving universal healthcare through the creation of a public health insurance option and the protection of the Affordable Care Act. He is a vocal advocate for climate action, supporting the transition to a clean energy economy, the implementation of strict methane regulations, and the preservation of public lands. In economic policy, he supports labor rights through the PRO Act, infrastructure investment, and pro-growth policies for small businesses. He also supports gun safety measures, including universal background checks and magazine limits, and advocates for a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients.