About Andrew

“A man of honor and conviction,” says the Pueblo Chieftain.

“He represents the best in government leaders,” says the Gunnison Country Times.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan says, “He is one of few leaders … willing to place himself at political risk to enact change."

A Passion for Public Service

Elected to four terms in the state legislature, Andrew Romanoff was the Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2009. He led the Democrats to their first back-to-back majorities in more than 40 years. His leadership earned national recognition, including Governing magazine’s top honor as Public Official of the Year.

Romanoff’s commitment to our community is no accident. His mother Gayle, a social worker, and his father Marvin, a judge, instilled in Andrew and in his twin sister Hilary a passion for public service. Andrew’s grandparents worked for Project Hope, bringing medical supplies and treatment to Africa and Latin America.

Romanoff took an early interest in civil rights. As a student, he learned about the Southern Poverty Law Center’s efforts to combat Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups. The Center’s Klanwatch Project and a state civil rights agency became two of his first employers.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at Yale, Romanoff set off for Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where he taught English in rural high schools. After coming home, he earned a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard and a law degree at the University of Denver.

Romanoff worked in the private sector, as a senior associate at the Colorado consulting firm of Greenberg Baron Simon & Miller, before accepting a job with Gov. Roy Romer. He worked in the Office of Policy and Initiatives, analyzing state and national proposals for education reform.

Romanoff has taught at the University of Colorado, the Community College of Aurora, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College. He has served on the boards of the Center for Women’s Employment and Education, the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Common Cause, and the Colorado Health Foundation; headed two neighborhood groups; and mentored at-risk students through Denver Kids. His contributions to Colorado have been recognized by more than 50 organizations throughout the state.  

A Sterling Reputation

 “Speaker Romanoff is a man of honor and conviction. He has a sterling reputation from his service in the Statehouse.”  
- The Pueblo Chieftain, Dec. 29, 2008 

“Romanoff represents the best in government leaders. He’s not a partisan ideologue. He’s a pragmatic problem solver.”
- Gunnison Country Times, Dec. 24, 2008 

“Romanoff has proven to be a hard worker, a bridge builder and a decent politician in an era when that term often can be an oxymoron.”
- Summit Daily News, Dec. 29, 2008 

“Romanoff has shown outstanding ability and fairness in his legislative career.” He has “a record of integrity, bipartisanship and simple decency.”
- The Denver Post, Aug. 17, 2008 

Romanoff is “an incredibly hard worker” who has won respect on both sides of the aisle. He “has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to look beyond his urban district, listen to people from other areas and consider what best serves the entire state.”
- The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Dec. 22, 2008 

“His energy and dedication” to resolving Colorado’s major issues are “unmatched.”
- Fort Collins Coloradoan, Dec. 17, 2008 

“Romanoff has been a tour de force in state politics.” He is “an effective leader capable of bringing together divergent political viewpoints for the state’s benefit.”
- The Durango Herald, Dec. 19, 2008 

“Colorado is a better place for his service.”  
- The Denver Post, January 11, 2009

A Record of Leadership

“Speaker Romanoff has proven legislative experience, is a natural leader and engenders bipartisan co-operation.  He is fair minded and even-handed.  His experience within government and (outside of government) makes him superior.”
- Ray Ehrenstein

“Romanoff knows Colorado and what Coloradans want.  He is the people’s choice.  I need to believe that people will trump money again.”
- Irene Aguilar MD

“His ability to build coalitions with Republicans to get things done, his ability to lead and organize other Democrats. He understands and can represent all of Colorado from Denver to the Western slope.”
- Kerry Ryan

“He’s great!  We need him in Washington."
- Pat Pascoe

“It’s clear to me who I want to represent Colorado.  I believe that Andrew cares.”
- Christine Tanner

“I (worked with) Morgan Carroll when she was elected State Rep 2004-2008, and I was privileged to work with Andrew.  Andrew helped so many people who ran for State legislative positions. Andrew knows how to work with all people.  He has traveled the whole state for many years.  He has been elected and re-elected as a legislator many times and he is the heart and soul of the people of Colorado!”
- Janet Snyder

“(I’ve) known (Andrew) about 8 years.  (He) did a terrific job in the state legislature.  I believe he will listen to the people.”
- Charles Sparks

“He has demonstrated legislative leadership throughout Colorado and has demonstrated vote-getting throughout Colorado.”
- Sally Ofner

“I have worked in public policy and politics since 1979.  Andrew is heads and shoulders above anyone (that) I’ve worked with in breadth and depth. And, he has a splendid sense of humor.”
- Joan Ringel

“Because he is a leader who works across the aisle to forge real solutions.  I like the way he knows the whole state.”
- Susan Pearce

“He’s honest and has the same priorities I do.  I admire how he can work with anyone.”
- Jude Aiello

“He has proven his effectiveness in his time in the legislature. He built consensus in a remarkable way.  I believe he has integrity, smarts and a long-term interest in the causes I support, especially health care reform."
- Betty Kuehner

“Andrew Romanoff and I have been friends since our 20s so I know him pretty darn well – and I still believe in him.  Seriously, he’s never wavered in his integrity, compassion or commitment to doing good.”
- Jennifer Gessner

“Knows the issues important to Colorado, has taken the time to meet citizens across the state. Brilliant policy maker, great leadership in a legislative setting.”
- Susan Lontini

“Mr. Romanoff has been such an amazing leader for our community and his work in the House was just as great.  More than anything, I support him because I believe he would be perfect to represent Colorado in Washington D.C.”
- Heather Ellerbrock

“Andrew was my rep in the Colorado House.  He is very intelligent and competent.  He achieved a great deal at a difficult time.  He always found time to listen to us as constituents. He is very thoughtful and considerate of different perspectives.  He can juggle multiple issues at the same time. He is very dedicated and hard working.”
- Michael McGuire

“Andrew represents what is best in American politics.  He is genuine, honest and straightforward.  He knows and relates to Coloradoans.”
- Loretta Christie

“Asa young woman just starting a family, I support Andrew Romanoff because of his unwavering, genuine concern for and support of the children in our state.  If Romanoff wins, I know Colorado will be the best place in the nation to raise a child, and all American children will have opportunities to realize their potential in a healthy, safe national environment.”
- Erika Zierke

“(I) can see Andrew being a more independent voice in the Senate.”
- Rob Kalish

“Where to begin? The qualities I look for in a U.S. Senator are those that Andrew has used effectively as a leader in the Colorado legislature: intelligence, effective communicator, passionate, thoughtful policymaker, hard-working.  In addition he has actually been to all four corners of Colorado, campaigning, building consensus, reaching out to the disenfranchised.”
- BarbaraTayon

“Andrew Romanoff is the stellar type of person that ought to be in the Senate making decisions about this country.  Polls clearly showed that he was the people’s choice for this senate position and now we will be able to elect him.  He has worked tirelessly for Colorado for 15 years and now it is our turn to work hard for him.”
- Linda Petrie Bunch

“Because he likes dogs.”
- Laura Lipich

“Andrew worked hard for me and the State of Colorado while in the legislature and I want a workhorse ‘for me and Colorado’ in Washington.”
- Kirstie Coffman