Andrew Romanoff is a Senior Advisor at International Development Enterprises , an international development organization based in Lakewood, Colorado. Over the last 30 years, IDE has equipped four million rural households in Africa, Asia and Latin America with the technology and training they need to increase their standard of living and climb out of extreme poverty.
Andrew joined IDE after serving for eight years in the Colorado House of Representatives, including four years as the Speaker of the House. Term limits required Andrew to leave the legislature in 2009. He sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Andrew won national acclaim as one of the most effective legislative leaders in America. He led the Democrats in the State House to their first back-to-back victories – and their largest majority – in nearly half a century.
In 2005, Andrew authored the Colorado Economic Recovery Act (Referendum C) and helped build the broadest coalition in state history to pass it. Among his other legislative achievements: the Sudan Divestment Act of 2007, which cut state ties to the regime responsible for the genocide in Darfur; and the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Act of 2008, a billion-dollar plan to repair Colorado’s crumbling classrooms. Andrew also authored laws to protect the victims of domestic violence and child abuse, provide treatment for mental illness and substance abuse, and expand the supply of affordable housing.
Andrew has been honored by more than 40 state and national organizations. The Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation present the William M. Bulger Award to the “legislative leader who has worked to preserve and build public trust in the institution of the state legislature and whose career embodies the highest principles of leadership – integrity, compassion, vision and courage.” In 2006, Andrew became the award’s youngest recipient. Two years later, Governing Magazine named him as a “Public Official of the Year.”
Before his election to the legislature in 2000, Andrew worked as an education policy advisor to then-Governor Roy Romer. He was previously an associate at the management consulting firm of Greenberg Baron Simon & Miller, Inc.
Andrew served as a Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Colorado’s School of Public Affairs. He has also taught political science at the Community College of Aurora, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College. He began teaching in Central America and speaks fluent Spanish.
Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Yale University, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a juris doctorate from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. He is a member of the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.
RECOGNITION
Advocates for Recovery, Recovery Advocate of the Year, 2004
American Association of University Professors, Colorado, Friend of Higher Education Award, 2005
Colorado Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Helping Hand Award, 2008
Colorado Affordable Housing Partnership, Champion of Housing Award, 2003
Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, Commitment to Children Award, 2002
Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Service Providers, Legislator of the Year, 2004, 2005
Colorado Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Special Recognition, 2005
Colorado Association of School Boards, State Leadership Award, 2005; Legislative Excellence Award, 2008
Colorado Association of School Executives, CASEY Award, 2005
Colorado Community Health Network, Colorado Community Health Champion, 2004
Colorado Contractors Association, Legislator of the Year, 2006
Colorado County Agents, Legislative Friend, 2005
Colorado Democratic Party, Colorado Democrat of the Year, 2005
Colorado Dental Association, Distinguished Leadership Award, 2004, 2006
Colorado Federation of Public Employees, Recognition for Contributions and Support of Quality and Accountability in State Government, 2001
Colorado Institute of Leadership Training, Public Service Award, 2008
Colorado Junior Chamber, Outstanding Young Coloradoan, 2006
Colorado Medical Society, Defensor Patientae (Highest Honor), 2006
Colorado Psychological Association, Special Recognition, 2008
Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine, Tribute for Dedicated Public Service, 2006
Colorado Women’s Bar Association, Outstanding Leadership Award, 2005
Community Shares, Community Leader of the Year, 2006
Crossroads Turning Points, Inc., Legislator of the Year, 2005
Denver Democratic Party, Dale Tooley Democrat of the Year, 2005
Economic Development Council of Colorado, Legislator of the Year, 2005; President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
Governing Magazine, Public Official of the Year, 2008
Independent Bankers of Colorado, Spirit of Independence Award, 2003
Jewish Community Relations Council, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2009
Junior League of Denver, Legislator of the Year, 2001-2002
Mizel Museum, Tikkun Olam Ambassador Award, 2009
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Colorado, President’s Award, 2002
National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, James T. Brubaker Legislative Award, 2005
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Friend of Children Award, 2002
National Association of Social Workers, Colorado Chapter, Legislator of the Year, 2006
National Conference of State Legislatures, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Council of State Governments, William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, 2006
Peer Assistance Services, Founders Award, 2005
Progressive 15, Legislator of the Plains Hall of Fame Award, 2009
Results, Inc., Hero Award, 2006
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Legislator of the Year, 2005; Outstanding Legislative Achievement Award, 2008
Southeast Business Partnership, Special Recognition Award, 2005
Washington Street Community Center, Good Neighbor Award, 2005
