Wanda James announces candidacy for CD1 CU Regent
Katie Malhotra
Wanda James, a pioneer in the cannabis industry and a highly regarded leader in politics and in the Black community, announced her candidacy for the vacant Congressional District 1 Regent seat at her alma mater, the University of Colorado.
“It’s time to restore balance to the CU Regents, not only in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion but also in the board’s priorities,” said James, 57. “I am running to take back the power for students, staff and faculty, who for too long have taken a backseat to political deliberations and decisions. I intend to be a force for CU and deliver on the promises of higher education.”
As the university’s governing board, the Regents oversee the University's budget; hire the president and other top officials; and set tuition and priorities. Currently, the board has nine voting members, one elected from each of the state’s seven congressional districts and two others elected by voters statewide. This makeup will change with the new 8th Congressional District. Regents serve staggered six-year terms.
James’ candidacy launches with a number of prominent early endorsements, including from US Congressman Joe Neguse, the first African American to represent Colorado and former CU Regent. “I have known Wanda James for nearly twenty years — she has always been a strong supporter of the University of Colorado, and a champion for CU students, staff and faculty, including during her years of service on the CU Alumni Board,” Neguse said. “She has never been timid about lending her voice to uplift and inspire those around her. I know her bold leadership will be a strong asset to the Board, which is why I’m proud to support her campaign.
Along with Congressman Joe Neguse, four former CU Regents have also endorsed her campaign: Regent Linda Shoemaker, Regent Irene Griego, Regent Steve Ludwig and Regent Cindy Carlisle.
After graduating from the University of Colorado in 1986, James was commissioned an officer in the United States Navy and served for four years in Naval Integrated Underwater Surveillance. A leading advocate for the cannabis industry, she is the co-founder and CEO of Simply Pure and President of Cannabis Global Initiative. In 2009, she and her husband, Scott Durrah, became the first legally licensed African Americans to own a dispensary, a cultivation and edible company in the U.S..
A leading advocate for business equity and social justice, James’s public service has included roles in Jared Polis for Congress and his gubernatorial transition team, as well as on the national finance committees for former President Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris.
In announcing her campaign, James zeroed in on the need to strengthen the Regents’ accountability to advance the five “Areas of Focus” meant to guide the board’s decision making – diversity, affordability, service to the state, student and faculty achievement, free speech and diversity of views.
“The ‘Areas of Focus’ to which the Regents aspire have been my lifelong focus,” she said. “My military, political and business experience, combined with a passion for my alma mater and social justice, will provide a valuable perspective for the students and faculty of all four campuses of the University of Colorado. I look forward to advancing the promise of higher education and the promise of service to the stakeholders of CU.”
In addition to the endorsement from Congressman Neguse, her decision to run for the Regents’ seat won immediate support from an array of civic leaders and CU alumni and faculty.
Dr. Angie Paccione, Ph.D. Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Education / Former Colorado Representative: “Wanda James gets it. She gets Colorado and is committed to making the CU system live up to its promise to all students - to make sure they have the services necessary for them to succeed, from day one right through to graduation. She will be an excellent Regent.”
Wellington Webb, the first African-American mayor of Denver: “I have known Wanda James for over 15 years. While we have sometimes worked on opposite national political campaigns, she always proven to be a powerful spokesperson for the Black community. She has stood up for those unfairly incarcerated in America’s losing drug war and has worked tirelessly to make the cannabis industry a viable part of Denver’s business community. She is respected by young people and has used her voice and business to show our community the power of what is possible when you remain focused on enacting change.”
U.S. Navy CDR (retired) Gregory D. Young, PhD., a professor in the Department of Political Science at CU Boulder: “When Wanda was a young midshipman at the University of Colorado and one of my students of military science, she has always shown leadership amongst her peers. Being one of only five women and the only African American student enrolled in the Naval ROTC Battalion, her tenacity and ability to navigate the difficulties of military training at a time when women were not allowed to serve in combat, demonstrates her fearlessness to enact change on every level. Over the years, I have witnessed her outstanding work with President Barack Obama, Governor Jared Polis and becoming a force in changing the views of cannabis legalization. I fully support her continued leadership; she will be a great addition to the CU Board of Regents.”
James Mejia, Former member Denver Public Schools Board of Education: “Wanda has been a popular guest lecturer in a number of my DU classes. Her presentations always spark dynamic conversations amongst the undergraduate and graduate students. She has the ability to ignite emotions and challenge the status quo. But more importantly, she challenges old thought processes and forces the audience to rethink their ideas and positions. Having strong representation of people of color on the CU Board of Regents is vital for continued diversity of thought, race and gender in our university systems.”
Gia Moron, CEO of GVM Communications, Inc., and President of Women Grow, “Wanda is a true force in the cannabis industry. Over the last decade, she has spoken up and stood tall in defining herself as a political and business maverick who has fought for women and BIPOC communities for equality in multiple business sectors. Wanda continues to be fearless when addressing the need to end the war on drugs and creating an equitable industry. She is not only a recognizable name nationally but known internationally as a recipient of awards and the extensive media coverage highlighting her leadership in the cannabis industry. While still remaining so humble, Wanda has appeared alongside Madam Vice President Kamala Harris, Former President Barack Obama, Kim Goodwin, Rashid Jones, and Tracee Ellis Ross as women Trailblazers, and this is just to name a few. I am certain her service on the Board of Regents will be transformative for the university. She is a necessary voice that must be included at the table.”
Other key endorsements speak to her depth of lifelong commitment to right the wrongs of mass incarceration; lack of access to capital for Black and brown entrepreneurism; the issues of fair pay for women in business, and her passion for education and lifelong learning.
A former member of the University of Colorado Alumni Board of Directors, James is a gubernatorial appointee to the Colorado Tourism Board of Directors; a graduate of the Inaugural Class of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute at the University of Southern California; and a former President of the National Women’s Political Caucus. She was appointed to the Los Angeles Small and Local Business Commission and sat on the Board of Directors for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the Board of Directors of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the campaign and a full list of endorsements, please visit www.Wanda4CU.com. For more information about her history and business, please visit www.WandaLJames.com or www.SimplyPure.com.