John is a native of Iowa, graduating from the Honors Program at the University of Iowa with a major in political science and a minor in economics, John obtained his law degree from the University of Denver in 1978 and passed the District of Columbia bar in 1979. From 1983 – 1990, he had a solo practice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and moved back to the Denver area as a partner in Cross & Schlie, P.C. with the Honorable Christopher C. Cross. Since 1994, John has maintained a solo practice in Denver and Arapahoe Counties. From 1999-2005, Mr. Schlie was President of the Front Range Amateur Hockey Association and on the Board of the Colorado Competitive Youth Hockey League from 1999 – 2009.