Gov. Polis invites U.S. Women’s National Team to Colorado

Following the U.S. Women’s National Team’s victory at the 2019 World Cup, Gov. Jared Polis extended an invitation to the team to address the state capitol.

Polis and Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera sent out a statement Thursday commending the team’s “impressive track record” and saying they truly represent the United States “in so many ways.”

He also touted the state’s new Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and said the team shares those values of pay equity between genders.

Back in March, members of the team sued the US Soccer Federation for allegedly discriminating by paying them less than the men’s national team “for substantially equal work and by denying them at least equal playing, training, and travel conditions; equal promotion of their games; equal support and development for their games; and other terms and conditions of employment equal to the MNT.”

Polis sees the team as an opportunity to spread the message after the state legislature was able to successfully pass the equal pay act.

“I hope you will consider celebrating with the great people of Colorado and help us elevate these important issues across our country,” said the joint statement issued by Polis and Primavera.

The team hasn’t responded yet, and Polis acknowledged that they “don’t always accept invitations by government officials.”

Two members of the USWNT are Colorado natives — Lindsey Horan and Mallory Pugh. Both of them netted goals in the tournament.