Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ chief of staff will leave the position at the end of next week and be replaced by the governor’s top policy adviser, a major shake-up that comes as the governor enters his final two years leading the state.
Polis’ chief of staff, former House Speaker Alec Garnett, will step down Sept. 13. David Oppenheim, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for legislative and policy affairs, will take his place.
“I thank Alec Garnett for his incredible leadership and hard work for the people of Colorado,” the governor said in a written statement. “Alec has committed his career to public service, from his time in the General Assembly, as speaker of the House, and as chief of staff in the governor’s office, his work has made life better for Coloradans. Alec will be missed, but I’m excited to congratulate and welcome David Oppenheim into this role.”
Garnett, in a statement, said being chief of staff has “been an incredible opportunity to serve Colorado.”
He’s leaving state government to become the vice president of public affairs for UCHealth.
Garnett became chief of staff at the start of 2023, taking over for Lisa Kaufmann, one of the governor’s closest and longest advisers. Kaufmann, who had served as chief of staff since Polis became governor in 2019, has stayed on as an adviser to the governor.
Dating back to his time in the legislature, Garnett has been a key negotiator between Democrats and business interests. He helped broker deals this year on property taxes, oil and gas, and medical malpractice lawsuits.
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Oppenheim, a fixture at the Capitol known for his policy dealmaking, joined the governor’s office as legislative director in 2019. In May 2022, Oppenheim became the director of operations and cabinet affairs and was promoted to deputy chief of staff for legislative and policy affairs the following year.
Oppenheim has helped shepherd through the legislature some of the governor’s biggest policy goals, including expanded kindergarten and preschool access, health care reform and affordable housing initiatives.
Oppenheim said in a statement that “our work isn’t done for the people of Colorado and we will continue to move our state forward.”
Polis is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027.
Sun politics reporter Brian Eason contributed to this report.