Freshman Sen. Mike Kopp says that he came to the Legislature because he wants to invest in the world that his children are going to someday inherit.

Kopp, a Littleton Republican, has spent most of his adult life in public service. After graduating from North Central University in Minnesota, he served in the ministry.

The senator has been a U.S. Army Ranger with the 82nd Airborne, and he fought in the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s. Kopp has also served as a volunteer fire fighter and had a stint with the U.S. Border Patrol.

Most recently, Kopp works in developing fund-raising programs and design for no-profit groups and charter schools. He is a staunch supporter of school choice.

“I believe that parents should be able to choose the best education that can meet their children's unique needs,” Kopp said.

As a member of the Senate Education Committee, Kopp has consistently defended school choice despite Democrat attacks on charter schools this session.

Kopp and his family live in Littleton, and they have recently welcomed a new baby into the family. His newborn son, Soren, was named after a famous philosopher, who greatly influenced Kopp during his college years. Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher who wrote about the nature of faith and the ethics of Christian theology.  

As a devoted father and husband, Kopp’s favorite off-work activity is jumping on the trampoline with his three elder children: Meghan, Ethan and Allie-Grace.

The Kopp family also has a 25-foot swing in their backyard, and Kopp never tires of pushing his kids as high as the swing will allow. He also bought his family season passes to Six Flags and often braves the crowds and hot sun so his children can enjoy the park’s many rides.   

“I'm horrified of the Mind Eraser,” Kopp said, “But I love to watch my kid’s faces when they ride it.”

The Mind Eraser is one of Six Flags biggest roller coasters.

The senator thoroughly enjoys his job as a legislator. However, he does get discouraged being in the minority. Fewer Republican bills make it to the floor, such as Kopp’s Senate Bill 125, a pro- business measure that was killed in committee.