Lisa Kaufmann
Senior Strategic Advisor to Governor Jared Polis
Lisa is a seasoned executive leader and strategist with over two decades of experience navigating complex political, regulatory, and stakeholder environments at the highest levels of state and federal government.
Lisa oversees a portfolio of special projects and assignments that are of focus for the Governor's second term agenda. Such projects include New Broncos Stadium, and establishing several new passenger rail services in Colorado before the end of the Governor’s term, including Mountain Rail from Denver to Winter Park, Granby on to Steamboat Springs and Craig and Northern Front Range Joint Service Passenger Rail from Denver to Fort Collins. Lisa serves as the state’s lead negotiator to the railroads for Moffat Tunnel and mountain rail access agreement. Lisa also oversees the state's efforts to redevelop Burnham Yard, a historic rail yard in the heart of Denver that predates statehood. Lisa also serves as the Governor’s chief political strategist and advisor on state and federal policy alignment.
Prior to serving in this capacity, Lisa served as Chief of Staff for the Governor’s entire first term. She managed the state’s executive branch through historic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while overseeing cabinet operations, emergency response strategy, and long-term policy execution across healthcare, education, and economic development.
Before becoming Chief of Staff she served as chairwoman of the Governor’s gubernatorial campaign and transition committee. She also served as then congressman Polis’ Colorado chief of staff from 2014 to 2017 in his Congressional office.
Kaufmann also co-founded New Era Colorado, a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on civic engagement and leadership development, and has worked as senior advisor to Joe Neguse, Assistant Democratic Leader in the US House of Representatives. And she currently services on Colorado’s Supreme Court nominating committee.
