Michael Stratton

Michael J. Stratton is a prominent Colorado civic and business leader. He is one of the nation’s most well-known political consultants. He operates the Stratton Companies, principally involved in public affairs, real estate development, and business consulting. A native of Durango and a graduate of Colorado State University, Stratton became active in politics in 1970. He has worked in scores of campaigns around the country at every level of the electoral process, in roles varying from press secretary to consultant to manager. He began his career as a reporter, spent time in Washington, D.C. as a staff member in the U.S. Senate, and served in the Carter Administration. He began the public affairs firm of Stratton & Associates in 1980, and later founded Stratton Reiter Dupree & Durante, predecessor to Public Decisions, Inc. During that time, Stratton played a leading role in six presidential campaigns and represented a variety of clients including numerous Fortune 500 companies, trade organizations, and labor unions. Notable political leaders represented by Stratton include: Bill Clinton, Gary Hart, Michael Dukakis, Bob Kerrey, Christopher Dodd, Floyd Haskell, Roy Romer, Ron Brown, Federico Pena, Wellington Webb, and Bill Richardson. In 1990, Stratton helped arrange and advance Nelson Mandela’s first trip to the U.S. following his release from prison in South Africa. Following President Clinton’s first election, Stratton was named one of the Co-Directors of the 1993 Presidential Inaugural Committee. He served as a senior consultant and assistant to the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown from 1993 to 1995. In that capacity, Stratton directed the arrangements for Brown’s trade missions, including trips to China, Russia, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Israel. In 2004, Stratton served as Chairman of Ken Salazar’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in Colorado. During 2005, he served as a member of the DNC’s Scheduling and Nominating Commission. Most recently he served as Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Richardson’s 2008 Presidential campaign. Stratton’s real estate involvement began as an outgrowth of his public affairs work. He has represented many of the nation’s leading real estate development groups, including Trizec, Taubman Companies, The Hahn Companies, Koll Company, Rosewood Properties, and City Market. In the 1980’s, Stratton began working on real estate ventures of his own, and has successfully developed and sold tens of millions of dollars in residential and commercial properties along the front range, as well as in the mountain areas of Colorado. His business consulting practice centers on public affairs and business development for companies in the U.S. and abroad. A featured speaker, Stratton has authored numerous articles, editorials, and other publications on topics related to government, energy, politics, and sports. He has served on numerous public and private boards and commissions, including the Colorado State Board of Agriculture, the governing body for the Colorado State University System. He has received numerous leadership awards including national and international Who’s Who recognition. Stratton has lectured as a member of the Alumni College Faculty at George Washington University and regularly lectures in Colorado State University’s Department of Technical Journalism, where he chaired the Alumni Advisory Board. In 2000, Stratton received Colorado State’s distinguished Alumni Award. His civic involvement has included serving as a March of Dimes volunteer, YMCA, and youth league coach. An avid traveler, skier, and golfer, Mike is married to Sara Crossman Stratton, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, D.C. Sara is a senior executive with QWEST. The Strattons and their sons, Matthew and Sam, live in the foothills southwest of Denver.