Colorado Governor and Alum Husband Make History in CU’s Mary Rippon Theatre
In a historic ceremony on Sept. 15, 2021, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Marlon Reis (Engl’04) married at the Mary Rippon Theatre on CU Boulder’s campus. The date marked the anniversary of the couple’s first date 18 years prior.
In 2018, Polis — a Boulder native — became the nation’s first openly gay governor. The wedding was the first same-sex marriage of a sitting U.S. governor.
The couple wed in a traditional Jewish ceremony with close family and friends in attendance. Their son and daughter served as ring bearer and flower girl.
“The greatest lesson we have learned over the past 18 months is that life as we know it can change in an instant,” the couple said in a statement. “We are thankful for the health and well-being of our family and friends and the opportunity to celebrate our life together as a married couple.”
Reis is a writer and advocate for animal welfare. Polis started his political career in 2000 when he was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education. The couple resides in Boulder.
Reis and Polis said: “After 18 years, we couldn’t be happier to be married at last.”
Photos by Jocelyn Augustino