Scott McInnis' practice focuses on state and federal regulatory and legislative matters in a wide range of areas, including natural resources, public lands, energy, agriculture, tax, and business matters. Scott has in-depth knowledge and relationships in national, Western, and Colorado politics.

Prior to joining Hogan & Hartson, Scott served six terms as the U.S. Representative of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. While in Congress, he served on the Committee on Ways and Means, where he concentrated on tax, trade and tariff, Social Security, and Medicare issues, as well as general business-related issues. Scott also served as the Chairman of the Forest Subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over several areas, including energy, timber, mining, tribal lands, and the ski industry. Scott is the only Congressman to have authored a Forest Plan, which was for the White River National Forest. He also has successfully authored many pieces of legislation ranging from the Healthy Forest Act to the creation of national parks.

Scott was elected to the Colorado General Assembly in 1982, where he served five terms and was elected House Majority Leader. He also served as Chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Throughout his career, he has worked aggressively to protect Colorado’s water resources and to preserve its federal open spaces. He has also worked extensively with the ski industry and on tax and utility-related issues.  

Scott has received several awards, including the Chairman’s Award for leadership in the ski industry, given by Colorado Ski Country U.S.A. He was named “Person of the Decade” by The Glenwood Post (1999), “Best Local Government Official” by The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel (1999-2003), and “Man of the Year” by the Korean Veterans Association. Scott has also been awarded the Colorado Association of Homebuilder's Award for Government Service, the Legislator of the Year Award from the Colorado Wildlife Federation, the Golden Bulldog Award from Watchdogs of the Treasury, the National Security Leadership Award from the American Security Council, the Sound Dollar Award from the Free Congress Foundation, the Spirit of Free Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Hero of the Taxpayer Award from The Americans for Tax Reform, the Taxfighter Award from the National Tax Limitation Committee, the Friend of Farm Bureau award from the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the Thomas Jefferson Award. Scott was also recognized by Colorado Preservation, Inc. in 2002 for saving the Red Mountain Mining District and by the National Forest Foundation in 2005 for his leadership on forest issues. Most recently, Scott was honored when the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area was renamed "McInnis Canyons."

Prior to law school, Scott served as a police officer and volunteer firefighter.