A Proven Leader for Colorado
A proven, experienced leader with a record of common-sense results, Scott McInnis is the GOP front-runner for Governor of Colorado. A fourth generation Colorado native, Scott was raised in Glenwood Springs, graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, and served his hometown as a police officer and volunteer firefighter. Scott's law degree from St. Mary's University law school enabled him to return home to Glenwood and serve the community as an attorney and legal resource.
Scott's neighbors urged him to enter public service, and he ran successfully for the state House of Representatives. As a hard-working, results-oriented legislator, he rose through the ranks and was chosen by his peers as Majority Leader. After serving five consecutive terms as a state representative and twelve years as a United States Congressman, Scott returned home to work in private business.
"McInnis is a strong conservationist carrying on a GOP tradition that harkens back to Teddy Roosevelt." — The Denver Post
The Denver Post, praising his focus on the environment, called Scott "a strong conservationist carrying on a GOP tradition that harkens back to Teddy Roosevelt." Scott championed the cause of preserving Colorado's most scenic places and authored three key wilderness laws. Scott led the charge to create two new National Parks: the Great Sand Dunes and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
As an outspoken advocate for reducing the size and scope of government and an aggressive foe of tax increases, his work earned him the praise of taxpayer advocacy and anti-deficit groups.
Unable to sit idle as failed, anti-jobs policies harmed the state, Scott decided to return to public life and run for governor of Colorado. When not on the campaign trail, Scott and his wife, Lori, enjoy spending time with their children and their granddaughter. They live in Grand Junction.
About Lori McInnis
Born and raised on the original family homestead in Meeker, Colorado, Lori Smith McInnis grew up on a working Hereford cattle ranch. After graduating from Meeker High School, she received an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts at what is now Mesa State College in Grand Junction. Lori worked locally in the Rio Blanco County Budget and Assessor's office and statewide at the Colorado State Capitol.
The McInnis family's deep roots in western Colorado — from Glenwood Springs to Meeker to Grand Junction — reflect the kind of rural, self-reliant values that shaped Scott's approach to both public service and private life.
Service Timeline
- Glenwood Springs Police Officer & Volunteer Firefighter — community service before politics
- Colorado House of Representatives — five consecutive terms; rose to House Majority Leader
- U.S. Congress, CO-3 (Western Slope) — six terms representing one of the largest congressional districts in the country
- Conservation Legacy — created Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks; authored three wilderness bills
- 2010 Gubernatorial Campaign — GOP frontrunner for Governor of Colorado
Colorado Political Archive
This site is part of a growing network of preserved Colorado political campaign archives. Explore profiles of other leaders who shaped the state:
- Rick Garcia — Denver City Council, District 1
- Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez — State Representative, HD4
- Amy Beatie — HD4 Candidate, Water Attorney
- Lisa Flores — DPS Board, At-Large
- Auon'tai Anderson — Former DPS Board VP
For a deeper look at how AI and data-driven technology are being applied to political research and archival work, see the resources at NovCog, including the Federal Courthouse AI presentation.
