Elliott Hood, a school attorney, former teacher and University of Colorado alum, announced on Thursday he is seeking candidacy in a statewide race for CU regent at-large.

“As a proud CU alumnus, I am excited to announce my candidacy for CU regent at-large,” Hood said in a news release. “I am running for regent to ensure that CU is affordable and accessible, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, to protect academic freedom and to push CU to take bolder action on climate and to protect our environment.”

Hood, a 41 year old Democrat, lives in Boulder. The regent-at-large seat is currently held by Democrat Leslie Smith, whose term is from 2019-2025.The CU Board of Regents elections will take place in 2024.

After graduating from CU Boulder in 2004, Hood taught fifth grade in a low-income community. Hood later earned his J.D. from Northwestern University and has spent most of his legal career advocating for school districts and educators across Colorado, from large districts on the Front Range to smaller districts on the eastern plains and western slope.

“Elliott is a leading education attorney in Colorado and is a true champion for public education,” State Representative Shannon Bird said in the release.

“I know that Elliott will be an effective leader of our state’s largest university system and will build opportunities for students across our state. I enthusiastically support Elliott for CU Regent At-Large.”

Hood has been endorsed by 23 different elected officials, community leaders and educational leaders.

“Elliott Hood is smart, compassionate and strategic,” State Representative Judy Amabile said in the release. “He has the background in education and law to be an effective leader on the Board of Regents. I am excited to support him and look forward to seeing what he does.”

Hood serves as the vice chair of the Boulder Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and previously served as the vice chair of the Colorado Disability Funding Committee, a state commission. He is also a director of the I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County. For more information, visit hoodforco.com