Bob Schaffer
Bob Schaffer (born July 24, 1962) is an American Republican politician, former U.S. Representative from Colorado, state legislator, and education leader. Explore his biography, political career, views, and legacy.
Introduction
Robert Warren “Bob” Schaffer (born July 24, 1962) is an American politician, educator, and public figure from Colorado. He served three terms in the the U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003) after a career in the Colorado State Senate, and later turned his attention to educational leadership and reform.
Schaffer is known for advocating conservative principles in fiscal, energy, and education policy, and for maintaining a consistent public presence in Colorado politics and civic life.
Early Life and Education
Bob Schaffer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 24, 1962.
He attended Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. University of Dayton, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science in 1984. honorary doctorate in Management by Colorado Technical University.
During his college years, Schaffer supported himself through various jobs, including working as a farm hand.
Political Career
Colorado State Senate
Schaffer’s political career began at the state level. In 1987, at about age 25, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Colorado State Senate, representing District 14. 1996.
In the state senate, he held several leadership roles:
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Chairman of the Finance Committee
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Chairman of the State Veterans & Military Affairs Committee
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Chairman of the Local Government Committee
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Vice-chairman of the Education Committee
He also received recognition as “National Republican Legislator of the Year” in 1995 from the National Republican Legislators Association (though that claim is cited as needing confirmation).
One noteworthy episode: in 1993, he removed from view in the state capitol a display containing pamphlets about “unsafe sexual practices” that he believed inappropriate for children to see.
U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2003)
In 1996, Schaffer successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Colorado’s 4th Congressional District for three terms (105th, 106th, 107th Congresses), from January 3, 1997 to January 3, 2003.
He pledged to serve only three terms and adhered to that, declining to run again in 2002, despite encouragement from party leaders.
During his congressional tenure, Schaffer emphasized education issues, fiscal conservatism, and energy policy. He introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment (House Joint Resolution 1) to require a balanced federal budget.
He also was a co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, reflecting his interest in U.S.–Ukraine relations and human rights in Eastern Europe.
He was rated 100% by the American Conservative Union in 2001.
After leaving Congress, he entered private and civic ventures rather than continuing in elective federal office.
Post-Congressional Activities & Public Service
Education Leadership
Following his congressional service, Schaffer turned his attention to education. He held leadership positions in charter schools and education policy:
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He was principal and then headmaster of Liberty Common High School, a charter school in Fort Collins, Colorado. Under his leadership, students set state records in ACT and SAT scores.
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Schaffer served on the Colorado State Board of Education, including a period as chairman, under which he promoted higher standards, more accountability, and parental involvement in schools.
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During his tenure, he supported reforms such as requiring parent notification if a school employee is arrested or charged with serious crimes.
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He opposed the adoption of Common Core standards in Colorado (though the state adopted them 4–3).
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In 2019, a controversy arose when four senior students at Liberty Common were barred from graduation after distributing condoms as a protest. Schaffer characterized this action as “sexual bullying.” The incident drew public attention in Colorado news media.
Other Roles & Activities
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He served as vice-president for business development at Aspect Energy, LLC, working in energy, mining, and education projects.
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He was a board member of the National Alternative Fuels Foundation.
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Schaffer was involved with Leadership Program of the Rockies, a nonprofit focused on civic leadership and economic education in Colorado.
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He also founded a digital consulting business, Dreamsoft Colorado, LLC, and led AMDG LLC.
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In the Republican Party, after Congress he served as Republican National Committeeman for Colorado (starting in 2005).
Regarding electoral efforts:
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In 2004, Schaffer sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, but lost in the primary to Pete Coors.
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In 2008, he was the Republican nominee for Colorado’s other Senate seat but lost the general election to Democrat Mark Udall.
Political Views & Legacy
Schaffer is a steadfast conservative, with these key ideological stances:
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Fiscal conservatism & limited government: He emphasized balancing budgets, reducing federal spending, and limiting federal overreach.
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Education reform & parental choice: He is a vocal supporter of charter schools, higher accountability, and shifting control of education closer to parents and local communities.
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Energy & environment: His record includes support for traditional energy as well as alternative fuels, which made him a target of environmental groups in his 2008 Senate campaign.
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Global human rights / foreign policy: His co-leadership of the Ukrainian Caucus indicates a concern with democracy and human rights in Eastern Europe.
His legacy is mixed: in Colorado, his influence lingers especially in education circles, and his decision to abide by a term-limits pledge is often cited as a sign of principled consistency. However, he never succeeded in winning a Senate seat, limiting his legacy at the national level.
Challenges and Criticisms
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Environmental groups criticized him in 2008 by labeling him among the “Dirty Dozen” due to what they viewed as anti-environmental votes.
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His involvement in the Mariana Islands labor issue (via links with the Traditional Values Coalition) drew scrutiny during his Senate campaigns.
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As an education leader, the 2019 graduation controversy at Liberty Common raised concerns among critics about discipline policies and student rights.
Personality and Public Image
Schaffer has been described as principled, disciplined, and committed to consistency—especially his adherence to term limits.
His move into education leadership suggests a belief that long-term change is cultivated at local levels, not just through national office.
Quotes
While there is no widely cataloged volume of quotations, a few attributed remarks reflect his priorities:
“Government is just spending too much money.”
“There are many hands touching ballots after a voter drops his ballot into the ballot box. There is no guarantee of ballot secrecy … the whole system [is] vulnerable.”
His writings and public statements consistently emphasize limited government, accountability in education, and respect for parental authority in schooling.
Lessons from Bob Schaffer’s Career
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Consistency and promises matter
Schaffer’s adherence to his three-term pledge is often pointed to by supporters as a sign of integrity in politics. -
Local impact can extend legacy
His post-Congress focus on education shows that influence and public service can continue beyond elected office. -
Bridging institutional and grassroots work
Serving in legislatures, in Congress, and then at a school level illustrates different scales at which political philosophy can be enacted. -
The limits of ambition
Despite an ambitious Senate bid, he was unable to break through to higher office—highlighting how difficult transition from representative to statewide roles can be. -
Balance of activism and governance
Schaffer’s career reflects a balance between ideological advocacy and participating in governance structures (e.g. state and federal).
Conclusion
Bob Schaffer’s career illustrates a path from state legislator to national office and then into civic and educational leadership. He remains a figure of interest in Colorado politics—with his conservative philosophy, education reform efforts, and consistent political identity shaping his public image.