Joel Harris and Katie Behnke, a major political powerhouse in Colorado, were married Feb. 8 in Las Vegas. (Wedding party picture)
What happens when a successful campaign finance director marries a former CU Buff football standout? You get a wedding where new Sen. Cory Gardner and a couple of folks who played pro football show up for the ceremony.
Katie Behnke, a partner in The Starboard Group, married Joel Harris on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas. She sandwiched the wedding between in November and in Colorado Springs in April. Behnke also served as the deputy campaign manager for Gardner.
That’s not the only politico-themed wedding this month. Monica Owens, the eldest child of former GOP Gov. Bill Owens and First Lady Frances Owens is getting married Feb. 28 in Colorado Springs to John Beauprez, the youngest child of former GOP Congressman Bob Beauprez and his wife Claudia.
At the engagement party for Monica Owens and John Beauprez, the couple on the right are her parents, Frances Owens and former Gov. Bill Owens, and former Congressman Bob Beauprez and his wife Claudia. The couple is getting married at the end of the month. (Owens photo)
Their courtship began after the University of Colorado Hospital’s premiere event in February 2012, which the Beauprezes co-chaired with Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake. Claudia Beauprez invited the former first lady and her daughter, who was seated next to John.
The couple got engaged July 2014, right before the fireworks began at Folsom Field — and after walking in a political parade. and lost to the Democratic incumbent, John Hickenlooper, in a close contest. Monica Owens’ political consulting firm worked on the campaign.
Monica Owens said her and John Beauprez’s paths have crossed many times over the years. They both attended George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005 and their fathers scored stunning victories in 2002, with Owens winning re-election by a landslide and Beauprez in a nailbiter becoming the first congressman in the new 7th District. John Beauprez and his parents even attended Monica Owens’ college graduation party at the governor’s mansion.
But that’s nothing like the Behnke-Harris courtship. They have been dating since they met in college nearly 15 years ago. She was a freshman, and he was sophomore on a full-ride football scholarship. They had a small wedding, just 34 people.
Those in attendance at their wedding included Sen. Gardner’s wife, Jaime, lobbyists Brock Herzberg and Landon Gates and Gardner’s campaign manager, Chris Hansen.
Also present was Denver Broncos and New England Patriots great , CU legend and Detroit Lion and Cedric Cormier, wide receiver coach for UNLV. In addition, present was Behnke’s partner Kristin Strohm and her husband, the ultimate behind-the-scenes political powerhouse, former Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry.
