Hey, friend – I'm sorry to interrupt your Saturday afternoon, but it couldn't wait.

Before I ask you to make the best contribution you can toward my $100,000 goal ahead of the end-of-quarter deadline this Tuesday, I want to make sure we're on the same page about why I'm in this race.

Colorado is at a critical moment, and right now, we need and deserve a leader who isn’t willing to simply color inside the lines.

For my whole career, I’ve challenged the status quo. Before I went to Washington, I improved student achievement as the Denver Public Schools superintendent. I helped balance the City of Denver’s budget as chief of staff, and I turned around failing businesses in the private sector. 

I’ve taken that same spirit to the Senate. I helped expand the Child Tax Credit, which cut childhood poverty nearly in half. I passed a bill to ban insurance companies from surprise hospital bills. I introduced the first bill to ban members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. And I’ve tried to lead by example by rejecting corporate PAC and federal lobbyist money.

I have spent years traveling to every corner of our state, building relationships and convening Coloradans to take on our greatest challenges and solve them.

Wherever I've gone, I have fought for and delivered meaningful change. And I believe that's exactly what Colorado's working families need today.

That's why I'm running for governor. Because I know that together, we can rebuild our middle class, make our economy work for us all and make this the best state to raise a family. Together is the only way.

The best line of defense against Donald Trump’s extreme agenda is in the states. And I know Colorado can provide the vision our country urgently needs.

And with the biggest end-of-quarter deadline yet of this race just over 72 hours away, this people-powered campaign will not have the resources to make it happen without a groundswell of grassroots support from people like you, starting now.

Every dollar will make a difference in the outcome of this race. So before you get on with your weekend, can I please count on you to chip in $5, $25, or any amount you can spare toward my can't-miss $30,000 goal today?

With my deepest gratitude,

Michael