Congressman Joe Neguse was honored with the 2023 New Frontier Award for his work to restore hope in our democratic institutions. By successfully forging pragmatic, bipartisan legislative coalitions and implementing innovative service-centered initiatives, he has been a champion of servant-leadership, from the mountains of the state of Colorado to the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Representative Joe Neguse, the son of African immigrants, has served as the Congressman for Colorado's 2nd District in the U.S. House since he was first elected in 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. He currently serves in House Democratic Leadership, as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, as well as on the Judiciary, Rules, and Natural Resources Committees.
During his three terms in Congress, Representative Neguse has earned national praise for his ability to effectively craft bipartisan legislative solutions to the challenges facing our country. He has had 22 pieces of legislation signed into law by presidents of both political parties, and has been recognized nationally as one of the most effective and bipartisan lawmakers in the country. Representative Neguse is also the Founder and Co-Chair of three congressional caucuses all focused on punching through the political divide; including, the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, Bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, and the Congressional Colorado River Caucus.
Representative Neguse has also led efforts to foster stronger ethics and accessibility in government and promote stronger civic and community partnerships. He spearheaded a first-of-its-kind “service town hall” initiative that received national acclaim, providing an opportunity for congressional offices to partner in service with their constituents for the common purpose of serving their community.
Before being elected to Congress, Representative Neguse led Colorado's consumer protection and business regulatory agency as a member of then-Governor John Hickenlooper's cabinet and Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. As a Coloradan with a deep devotion to serving his communities, Representative Neguse also served six years on the University of Colorado Board of Regents, where he earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude and Juris Doctorate.