Steve Welchert

What do you do when you're a former Big Ten lineman (he rode the pine), a stunt man opposite Sly Stallone (mostly on the cutting room floor), a member of two presidential campaigns (he could read a map, his candidates couldn't read the public), and a Governor's lobbyist (in a veto proof legislature)? Of course! You go into business…with no money.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, he has grown Welchert & Britz into one of the most successful public relations/political consulting firms in the Rocky Mountain Region. They have won four Pollie Awards (the Oscar of politics), eleven national Communicator Awards and been sited by Campaigns and Elections Magazine as one of the most successful political consulting firms in the nation (February 1997). Over the years Steve Welchert has worked on hundreds of candidate and issue campaigns in over a dozen states from Maine to Louisiana; including President, U.S. Senate, Governor, Congress and local offices.

Welchert served as Legislative Liaison for Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm, where he helped author legislation, coordinate executive lobbying efforts and assist in media and public relations. In addition to his duties with the General Assembly, Welchert was Senior Education Advisor to the Governor. He went on to serve Denver Mayor Federico Peña, first as Issues Director and the candidate's debate coach and later to manage the successful Denver Bond election. The $241.7 million property tax increase was the largest in the city's history requiring a "yes" vote on ten separate ballot questions ranging from parks to public works. The firm has now passed over $2 billion in revenue for the improvement of schools and local governments.

With barely three months notice, Welchert directed the historic Western Hemisphere Trade Ministerial and Commerce Forum for leaders from 34 democracies. The quiet efficiency with which Welchert assembled his team and managed this million-dollar event did not escape the notice of the American Association of Political Consultants, which honored him with its Pollie Award for "Best Free Media Campaign." President Clinton pointed to the event's success as a reason to award Denver the G-8 Summit two years later.

More recently, Welchert directed Amendment 37, creating a 10% statewide renewable energy requirement by 2015 for the production of new electricity. It marked the first time in the nation such a standard was passed by a vote of the people.

Complimenting his ability to formulate and execute political and public strategies from behind the scenes is Welchert's more visible persona. He has served for many years as an on-air political analyst for KMGH-TV (as CBS and ABC affiliates) in Denver, and is often quoted in local and national media as an expert political commentator. A year after founding the firm, Colorado Business Magazine called him one of the state's rising leaders, Welchert has also been recognized by Who's Who in the West and Who's Who in Media and Communications. Welchert is an accomplished writer and producer of radio, television and direct mail presentations.

A former member of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes' football team, Welchert maintains a keen interest in sports. Tying this interest in with a strong sense of community involvement, he has coached youth basketball, baseball and softball teams. He was also a member of the Denver Baseball Commission, a public-private group that helped bring a Major League Baseball franchise to this city. Denver Mayor Webb also appointed him to the Winter Park Advisory Council.

Most embarrassing political legacy: Knew and worked with Jerry Springer, BEFORE he was Jerry Springer