About Me

Emily Parker is deeply rooted in Denver and driven by a lifelong commitment to community and public service. She grew up in the Denver area, and returned a decade ago after launching her career in Washington, D.C. Her connection to this region is personal and lasting, shaped by family, education, and a belief that Denver is a place where thoughtful leadership can make a real difference in people's lives.

A graduate of Cherry Creek High School, Emily was deeply involved as a student leader, serving as student body president and participating in a wide range of activities. She credits her public school education with giving her both confidence and a strong foundation for civic engagement. She went on to attend the University of Denver as a Boettcher Scholar, earning both her undergraduate degree and Master of Public Policy. The scholarship allowed her to graduate debt free and stay in the city she loves, while deepening her academic focus on public policy, political science, and leadership. She later earned a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University and remains actively engaged with the University.

Emily has dedicated her entire career to public policy. After graduate school, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the Brookings Institution, where she conducted research on fiscal, budgetary, and monetary policy alongside leading economists and national experts. She later returned to Colorado to join the Education Commission of the States, where she worked directly with state leaders across the country to design and implement better education policy, with a focus on equitable and sustainable school funding. Today, she works for the University of Colorado System, partnering with campuses to expand access, improve affordability, and ensure that Colorado students receive a world class education. She is, at her core, a policy wonk who believes that government has both the ability and the responsibility to improve people's lives.

In addition to her professional work, Emily has been a leader in local Democratic politics for the past six years. Most recently, she served as First Vice Chair of the Denver Democrats, where she has helped grow the organization into a strong, community-driven force focused on increasing voter turnout and electing progressive Democrats across Denver, Colorado, and beyond. As a community organizer, she has worked to engage new voters, build coalitions, support candidates, and strengthen the infrastructure needed to win elections and deliver meaningful policy outcomes. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that lasting change comes from people organizing together and demanding a government that reflects their values.

Family plays a central role in Emily's life. She comes from a large, close knit Colorado family and remains especially close with her mother, sister and nieces, who live nearby. She shares her life with her husband, Shelby, whom she met while living in Washington, D.C., and her 3-year-old rescue mutt, Frankie. Emily's late father was one of the most important influences in her life, instilling in her a love of learning, thoughtful debate, and a sense of responsibility to leave the world better than she found it. Those values continue to guide her work in both policy and politics.

Whether she is shaping policy, organizing in her community, or connecting with neighbors, Emily brings energy, curiosity, and a deep commitment to building a Denver that works for everyone.