June 06, 2016 04:46 PM UTC

Local Political Operative Goes Big-League

• 2 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

The Denver Post’s Joey Bunch reports on a big move upward for a local political usual suspect:

The politico who started ProgressNow in Colorado and branched out the left-leaning hubs to 23 states has a new mission. Michael Huttner will be chief executive of the social change firm Fenton, which has offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

“When I started building progressive organizations over a dozen years ago, never did I dream that one day I would have the opportunity to lead a company whose entire team is driven by their passion to change the world,” Huttner said Monday.

Fenton Communications’ client list reads like a who’s who of the most influential progressive advocacy groups, from the AFL-CIO and Amnesty International to Ben & Jerry’s and Salon.com. It’s a big step up from bedeviling Bob Beauprez, where Michael Huttner cut his political teeth–from Fenton’s release today:

“Michael is an aggressive advocate with demonstrated expertise in public policy, rapid-response communications and digital media,“ said Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO). In his political work, Huttner hasn’t lost a race in over ten years.

“I started Fenton in 1982 to advance human rights, public health and environmental protection,” explained Founder and Chairman David Fenton. “Michael Huttner shares these goals in his life and work. He will keep our firm focused on the public interest for foundations, non-profits, governments and companies legitimately working for social change.”

Huttner will be based in New York City. David Fenton will continue with the firm as Chairman and remain actively engaged in a variety of projects, focusing primarily on clients working to reverse climate change.

It’s a pretty big deal–perhaps not least for Colorado Republicans, who might finally get a break from one of their biggest nemeses after Huttner relocates to New York City. But it just goes to show you how the “Colorado Model” of progressive political strategy Huttner was a big part of building in our state has become…well, a model.