Senator Mark Udall

Mark Emery Udall (born July 18, 1950) is an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 2009 to 2015 and as a U.S. Representative from Colorado’s 2nd congressional district from 1999 to 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, he is part of the prominent Udall political family of the American West.

Early Life and Education

Udall was born on July 18, 1950, in Tucson, Arizona. He is the son of Morris K. “Mo” Udall, who served as a U.S. Representative from Arizona for 30 years and was a candidate for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination. His uncle, Stewart Udall, served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and his cousin Tom Udall served as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico. Mark Udall graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.

Career Before Congress

Before entering politics, Udall spent nearly two decades working with Outward Bound, the wilderness education organization, eventually serving as executive director of the Colorado Outward Bound School. An avid mountaineer, he has climbed numerous peaks and his outdoor experience shaped his commitment to environmental conservation. He was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1996, where he served until running for Congress in 1998.

U.S. House of Representatives

Udall was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, representing Colorado’s 2nd congressional district. He served five terms in the House from 1999 to 2009. During his tenure, he focused on energy policy, environmental protection, and land conservation issues reflecting his Colorado constituency and personal passion for the outdoors. He served on the Armed Services Committee and the Science Committee, among others.

U.S. Senate

In 2008, Udall won election to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Republican Wayne Allard. As a senator, he served on the Armed Services Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Aging Committee. He became a prominent critic of the National Security Agency’s mass surveillance programs, particularly after the Edward Snowden revelations in 2013, advocating for stronger privacy protections and greater transparency in intelligence operations. He also championed renewable energy development, public lands conservation, and veterans’ issues.

Udall sought reelection in 2014 but was defeated by Republican Cory Gardner, ending his 16-year career in Congress.

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving the Senate in January 2015, Udall has remained involved in public policy issues, particularly those related to the environment and civil liberties. He continues to reside in Colorado, where his commitment to conservation and outdoor recreation reflects his deep connection to the American West.