While a state representative, Melton served as the Democratic majority whip and as Vice-Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado.[3] He is also Founder and Senior Consultant for Emerson Hamilton Consulting and Strategies, LLC based in Aurora, Colorado.
At age 20, he was arrested for harassment of a girlfriend, an incident which occurred when he was a student at the University of Colorado. An arrest for assault of a different girlfriend in 2008 resulted in dismissal of charges. He has been accused by a fellow Democratic legislator of bullying, but no charges were filed.[3] After his arrest history became widely known due to a report published in October 2018 by The Denver Post Democratic legislative leaders asked him to resign. However, he was strongly defended by Colorado African-American leaders Wellington Webb and Bishop Acen Phillips, who described the request for resignation as a "21st-century lynching"[4][5] He has apologized for past behavior.[6] Melton was re-elected in the November 2018 election following the Denver Post story with 64% of the vote against his republican challenger.
^Bente Birkeland (October 10, 2018). "Democrat Jovan Melton Apologizes For Past Domestic Violence Arrests, Denies Physical Violence". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved October 11, 2018. "While I categorically deny any allegations that suggest any violence against the women involved, I am both embarrassed and heartbroken to be reminded of my immaturity all those years ago," Melton stated. "As both a victim of childhood violence and to have caused pain and anguish for these women is horrible and for that I am sorry. I hope that both women can forgive me for the emotional pain that I've caused them."
