The Buzzer works to recognize notable Hastings High School alumni who can serve as inspiration to current HHS students. One such figure is Phil Weiser, an HHS class of 1986 alum and member of the Hastings High School Alumni Association Hall of Excellence. Serving as the Attorney General of Colorado since 2019, some of Weiser’s accomplishments as AG include pushing for gun safety regulations, working to improve sheriff training, ensuring the implementation of clean air policies, and going to court to protect the environment and limit pollution.
Previous to his time in public service, some of Weiser’s positions include the Dean of the Law School at the University of Colorado, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division for the Obama administration, and serving as a clerk for Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Byron White. Weiser obtained his Bachelor’s in Arts at Swarthmore College and graduated from NYU Law School. Weiser was also the first campaign manager for Paul Feiner, the Greenburgh Town Supervisor.
Weiser announced his campaign for Colorado’s 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election on January 2, 2025. The Buzzer had the opportunity to ask Weiser questions about his time at HHS and how it impacted his career.
Interview:
Frieda Belasco (F.B.): How did your experience at Hastings High School shape your career and life path? Were there any specific classes or teachers that most impacted you?
Phil Weiser (P.W.): My high school AP US History class with Robert Tucker was a revelation. It furthered my interest in history, politics, and public service. He also was the advisor to WESTMUNC (a model UN conference), which I led during my junior and senior year, in an early leadership opportunity.
F.B.: What are some of your favorite memories from your time at HHS?
P.W.: My favorite memories and feelings relate to how HHS students were very inclusive, rooted for each other, and were not isolated into different groups. Many people, like me, participated in WESTMUNC, the Madrigal choir, and competitive sports.
F.B.: What are you most proud of from your time at HHS?
P.W.: I am proud that I was able to participate in a range of activities and stretch myself. Hastings helped me develop the courage to try new things and put myself out there–including my first run for office (for high school student council, a race I lost).
F.B.: You have had a long and distinguished career in law and public service. What stands out as some of your proudest moments or accomplishments so far?
P.W.: As Colorado’s Attorney General, I was able to address the opioid crisis by holding Big Pharma accountable, bringing back over $860 million to Colorado, and setting up a nationally recognized framework to ensure these funds were invested in drug treatment, recovery opportunities, prevention services, and more.
F.B.: What has been the hardest challenge you have faced thus far in your career?
P.W.: Working for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a law clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court. She was a true perfectionist and it was always a high challenge to meet her standards. My time working with her was memorable and stands as one of the greatest experiences and privileges of my career.
F.B.: What motivated you to run to be Colorado’s Governor?
P.W.: I love Colorado, I believe in service, and we are facing major challenges related to the ability to afford to live here, to protect our land, air, and water, to protect public safety, and to enable our next generation to thrive. As Governor, I can make an important difference on those issues and more.
F.B.: Are there issues related to education that are central to your campaign? If so, what are they?
P.W.: I am concerned about young people and their future. That includes youth mental health, and providing adequate support for young people to develop relationship and resilience skills. It also includes affordable educational opportunities and the ability of young people to develop marketable skills while in high school.
F.B.: What advice would you give to current students who are about to graduate? To students with a few years left at HHS? To students who have an interest in working in the government or running for public office?
P.W.: My advice is to develop a learning mindset–to embrace opportunities to learn, to look for mentors, and to view feedback as a gift and an opportunity to grow. And my advice on public service is to embrace opportunities to serve, whether working on political campaigns, in non-profit organizations, or in government–the chance to serve your community is deeply meaningful and very rewarding.
