US Congress Colorado District 2

Joe is the son of refugees from Africa. Over 35 years ago, Joe’s parents fled Eritrea, a war-torn country in East-Africa, and immigrated to the United States as refugees, eventually settling in Colorado, where he and his sister were raised. As hardworking immigrants and naturalized citizens, Joe’s parents never forgot nor took for granted the freedom and opportunities the United States gave them and their children. Their experience motivated Joe to be an active participant in our democracy at an early age, and to give back through public service.

After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder summa cum laude, Joe co-founded New Era Colorado, the state’s largest youth voter registration and mobilization non-profit in Colorado. Joe was then appointed, at the age of 31, to lead the state’s consumer protection agency, making him one of the youngest people to serve in a state-Cabinet across the country. Joe is an attorney, civic leader, and public servant who has spent his career fighting to expand opportunities for families across Colorado. He has lived in the 2nd Congressional District for the last 15 years, and was honored to represent the people of the district as an elected member of CU’s Board of Regents. Joe’s belief that all Coloradans are entitled to these opportunities, shaped by his parent’s journey and experience, has been a guiding principle in his life, and he’s ready to fight for these opportunities every day in the United States Congress.