Tom served for eight years (1999-2007) in the Colorado state legislature representing Boulder County, Gilpin County and Clear Creek County.  During this time, Tom spent two years as Chairman of the House Appropriations committee and one year as Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee.  He was named Legislator of the Year by organizations such as the University of Colorado and the Sierra Club of Colorado, was the recipient of Colorado Conservation Voters’ “Green Sense Award for Environmental Leadership.”, and received the “Champion of the Family Farmer” award from the Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union.

In 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter appointed Tom to his Cabinet directing the Governor’s Energy Office.   During his tenure directing the energy office, fifty-seven bills were passed to usher in a new era of clean energy.  In the administration’s four years from 2007 to 2011, Colorado moved from a lagging state for renewable energy and energy efficiency to a national trend-setter with an international reputation for policy leadership and a vibrant and growing renewable energy industry.   Tom served on the board of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and was appointed by Secretary Chu to the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB) to DOE.

A study in 2009 found Colorado was home to over 1,500 clean energy companies, the fourth highest concentration of clean energy jobs in the country and had attracted Vestas’ North American manufacturing headquarters, employing over 2,500 workers.

Prior to Directing the Energy Office and while serving in the state legislature, Tom served as the executive director of the Center for ReSource Conservation in Boulder.

Tom has traveled around the world and taught school in Central America.  In 1994, Tom and his wife Dawn Dennison established The Acoustic Coffeehouse in Nederland, Colorado.  The venue became known nationally as a community-gathering place and for the many famous musicians who played in the small living room setting.  Tom & Dawn ran the coffeehouse for seven years, selling the business in 2001. 

Tom lives in Nederland with his wife Dawn, dogs Fergus and Tess, and a horse named Chester.