Gov. Polis gets his hair cut by James Holland Jr., owner of Xaak’s Barbershop, on Tuesday in downtown Loveland. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made an early morning stop in Loveland Tuesday to get a quick haircut and meet with a local business owner as he visits with various Black-owned businesses in the state.

Polis came by Xaak’s barbershop Tuesday where he got a quick cut from owner James Holland Jr. and chatted about the business and his background.

The governor told the Reporter-Herald following his appointment that during Black History Month he is making an effort to be a patron of Black-owned businesses throughout the state and since he was needing a trim, he decided to make the trip to the shop along Cleveland Avenue.

“I thought why not be able to use the occasion of needing to get a haircut to support a locally owned small business here in Loveland,” he said.

Throughout the haircut, Polis and Holland talked about how he got into the business, how things have gone since opening in 2021 and even his interest in other languages, with the pair sharing a few sentences in German.

They also talked about another Colorado-famous client, University of Colorado Football Coach Deion Sanders, whose hair Holland has cut before.

Loveland Mayor Jacki Marsh and Councilor Erin Black were also present to talk with the governor, going over some of the recent happenings in Loveland such as the St. Valentine Apartments that welcomed tenants in at the end of 2023.

Marsh said she was touched that Polis took time to reach out to the Hollands, to meet them and to get a haircut at the barbershop, adding it is great to know “the community is supporting (them), that people not only in Loveland but outside of Loveland are making a point to come down.”

“For the … people of color in this community, when they see the acknowledgment from a governor, from a mayor, from other City Council members, from other business owners that are respected, that makes them feel like ‘me too, I could do this and be supported,’” Black added, saying this recognition and appreciation opens the door for more diversity in Loveland, something she said the city welcomes.

James Holland Jr. said he was incredibly grateful that Polis took time out of his schedule to come up, get a haircut and chat with him about his business and life.

“Black History Month or the next month, he still made time to come out here and see me here,” he said after the haircut. “Especially someone who has been here for a relatively short amount of time in business, and I take pride in that. It is great exposure for us, obviously, but the city of Loveland (as well). There are a lot of things that happen outside of this barbershop that people are a part of in making this city as great as it is getting.”

Margarita Holland, James’ wife and co-owner, said she, too, was grateful that Polis made the trip to visit and highlight the shop, adding having him there “validates we are supposed to be here.”

“It is just amazing to have the community support, and to see it is going to the state level, it just shows all the work James has been doing for the shop … all the hard work, all the late nights, all the early mornings is just really paying off,” she said. “We are so glad to be part of this community.”

James Holland Jr. also said it is great as a Black business owner to continue to connect with the community and the state during Black History Month.

“In some ways I am a part of Black history,” he said. “I put a post up on our Instagram saying I am Black history in progress. (It) is evident that is what is going on.”