Noel’s Story | Noel for Colorado

“I’m Noel Ginsburg. I’m running for Governor, and I’m asking you to imagine with me, the difference we can make together.”

Deep Colorado Roots.

I was born in Denver to a working-class family. My parents ran a manufacturing and food business, and on weekends my dad and I would bottle pickles at our plant in Arvada. Early on I knew I loved manufacturing and working with people. The folks on the assembly line took pride in their work, and actually made things. That always stayed with me.

Building Opportunity. Making a Difference. Changing Lives.

I’ve built three organizations that have expanded opportunity for Coloradans.

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I started my manufacturing company, Intertech Plastics, as a senior at the University of Denver, and over 37 years we’ve created hundreds of middle class jobs. We make products for the packaging, industrial, and medical markets, and today employ nearly 200 people. And we’re committed to making a difference. We offer our employees training in math and science, tutoring for their kids, and job training to local students seeking new skills.

I founded CareerWise Colorado, America’s first statewide youth apprenticeship and job training program, which has been called a national model. It matches high schoolers with job training in modern industries, giving them college credit, a paycheck, and real-world skills. CareerWise is creating 230 job pathways, taking students from apprenticeships to middle-class jobs in advanced manufacturing, IT, finance, renewable energy, healthcare, and more.

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CareerWise Colorado gets an A

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I co-founded the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation, to raise graduation rates for disadvantaged kids. We brought mentors from around Colorado to support inner-city kids, promising if they graduated high school, we’d provide college scholarships. Over 29 years, we changed the lives of 800 kids in inner-city Denver, generating graduation rates double and triple the norm.

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My vision is rooted in Democratic values, but my approach is unique because my background isn’t in politics, but in creating opportunity in non-profits and business. I believe if we take a problem-solving approach to our big challenges, we can make a difference for all Coloradans. That’s why I’m running for Governor.

Committed to Our Future.

Leslie and I have been married for 27 years, and we raised our kids Corey and Ali here. There’s no place on Earth like Colorado. We love the outdoors and natural wonders of our state, and I especially love riding my motorcycle through our beautiful mountains. We wouldn’t live anywhere else. And we owe it to future generations to build an even better future for our great state.

Civic and Community Leadership

  • Appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to lead the Colorado Business Experiential Learning Commission
  • Appointed by Governor Roy Romer to the National Governor’s Association Council for School to Career
  • Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance Founder and Chair
  • Denver Public Schools Foundation President
  • Colorado School to Career Steering Committee Vice Chair
  • Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Commissioner
  • Mile High United WayChair; raised $26.8 million for local services
  • Clinton Global Initiative U.S. Youth Employment Action Network

Awards

  • Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award
  • Martin Luther King Social Responsibility Business Award
  • Anti-Defamation League’s 2016 Civil Rights Award
  • Daniel L. Richie Award for Ethics in Business, University of Denver
  • Small Business Person of the Year Award, U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Colorado Nonprofit Week: William Funk Award for building statewide community
  • Helen Phelps Award for Distinguished Service, Denver Public Schools