The Hill's 2011 50 Wealthiest in Congress

Polis’s fortune grew by almost $10 million in 2010.

That rise can be partially explained by the sophomore House Democrat’s effort to reduce his liabilities — a Merrill Lynch margin loan valued at a minimum of $5 million on his 2009 financial disclosure report seems to be have been paid off. That helped bring the lawmaker’s debt down to more than $2 million last year.

Before coming to Congress, Polis was a successful tech entrepreneur. The congressman still has investments in a multitude of tech and Internet start-up companies, especially in his home state of Colorado.

Polis also created a qualified blind trust in 2010. That trust is worth at least $25 million. 

—Kevin Bogardus

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