Josh Penry has been described as one of the greatest political minds in Colorado.
Elected to represent the Western Slope in the Colorado House in 2004, Penry went on went on to become not only the youngest state senator in history but also the youngest party leader in the history of the chamber when he was elected by his Republican peers as minority leader.
Since joining 76 Group, he has run statewide ballot initiative campaigns legalizing sports betting, banning gerrymandering, and making it more difficult for interest groups to amend Colorado’s constitution. In 2020, he led the Amendment B campaign, the largest fiscal overhaul enacted in Colorado in decades. Penry was also the lead strategist for Mike Coffman’s upset victories in 2014 and 2016.
Penry is frequently quoted by state and Colorado-based media on politics and current events. Earlier this year, Axios named Penry one of Denver’s power players, joining the Denver Broncos President, the CEO of Vail, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston among others on the list of Colorado influencers.
A native of Colorado, Josh is a graduate of Colorado Mesa State, where he played quarterback and was named the national scholar athlete of the year by the American Football Coaches Association, an award that was won by Peyton Manning the previous year.
Josh and his wife Kristin Strohm have four children: Chase, a wide receiver and accounting major at Boise State University; Emme, a 17-year old at Regis Jesuit who will swim for Trinity University in San Antonio next year; and 8-year-old twins, Sophie and Caroline.
