View source for Mark Udall

{{Short description|American politician (born 1950)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Mark Udall
|image        = MarkUdall-Senate Portrait.jpg
|caption      = Official portrait, 2009
|jr/sr        = United States Senator
|state        = [[Colorado]]
|term_start   = January 3, 2009
|term_end     = January 3, 2015
|predecessor  = [[Wayne Allard]]
|successor    = [[Cory Gardner]]
|state1       = [[Colorado]]
|district1    = {{ushr|CO|2|2nd}}
|term_start1  = January 3, 1999
|term_end1    = January 3, 2009
|predecessor1 = [[David Skaggs]]
|successor1   = [[Jared Polis]]
|state_house2 = Colorado
|district2    = 13th
|term_start2  = January 1997
|term_end2    = January 1999
|predecessor2 = [[Peggy Lamm]]
|successor2   = [[Tom Plant (Colorado politician)|Tom Plant]]
|birth_name   = Mark Emery Udall
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1950|7|18}}
|birth_place  = [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], [[Arizona]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|spouse       = {{marriage|Maggie Fox|1982}}
|children     = 2
|father       = [[Mo Udall]]
|relatives    = ''See [[Udall family]]''
|education    = [[Williams College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
|signature    = Mark Udall Signature.svg
|module       = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Senator Mark Udall Questions Thomas Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.ogg |title=Udall's voice |type=speech |description=Udall questioning [[Thomas Tidwell]], chief of the [[United States Forest Service|U.S. Forest Service]], at a hearing of the [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Senate Energy Committee]].<br>Recorded February 6, 2014}}
}}
'''Mark Emery Udall''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|u|d|ɔː|l}} {{Respell|YOO|dawl}}; born July 18, 1950) is an American politician who served as a [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[Colorado]] from 2009 to 2015. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he previously served in the [[United States House of Representatives]], representing {{ushr|CO|2}}. Before being elected to [[United States Congress|Congress]], he represented parts of [[Boulder, Colorado]], in the [[Colorado House of Representatives]].

Throughout his career, he has proposed legislation to support [[renewable energy]], expand [[List of areas in the United States National Park System|national parks]], and protect [[natural resources]]. Born in [[Tucson, Arizona]], he is the son of former U.S. Representative [[Mo Udall]] and the nephew of former U.S. Representative [[Stewart Udall]]. A member of the [[Udall family]], a [[Western United States|western]] [[List of United States political families|American political family]], his relatives include [[New Mexico]]'s [[Tom Udall]] and [[Utah]]'s [[Mike Lee]]. Udall ran for reelection in [[2014 United States Senate election in Colorado|2014]] to a second term in the U.S. Senate, but was narrowly defeated by Republican challenger [[Cory Gardner]].

==Early life and education==
{{See also|Udall family}}

Mark Udall was born in [[Tucson, Arizona]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dharapak |first=Charles |date=2015-01-15 |title=Mark Udall |url=https://tucson.com/article_ed14aa4c-9d10-11e4-b9f9-9b20400e6b5d.html |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Udall papers |url=https://archives.colorado.edu/repositories/2/resources/254 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=archives.colorado.edu}}</ref> to Patricia J. (née Emery) and [[Mo Udall|Morris "Mo" Udall]], the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|AZ|2}} from 1961 to 1991, and candidate for the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1976|1976 Democratic nomination for President]]. Udall attended and graduated from [[Canyon del Oro High School]] in 1968, where he was elected student body president.<ref name="accomplishments" /> Udall won the Arizona State Golf Championship Boy's division in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aiaonline.org/files/219/golf-medalists-boys.pdf|title=Boys Golf Medalists|work=[[Arizona Interscholastic Association]]}}</ref>

Udall later graduated from [[Williams College]] in 1972 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[American civilization]].<ref name="accomplishments">{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/10/04/sen-mark-udalls-accomplishments-are-an-issue-in-tough-re-election-2/|title=Sen. Mark Udall's accomplishments are an issue in tough re-election|first=Lynn|last=Bartels|date=October 4, 2014|work=[[Denver Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021144408/http://www.denverpost.com/election2014/ci_26665176/sen-mark-udalls-accomplishments-are-an-issue-tough|archive-date=October 21, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead|url-access=limited}}</ref> In 1976 Udall worked as a field coordinator for his father's campaign to win the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1976|Democratic nomination]] against [[Jimmy Carter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/u000038|title=UDALL, Mark, (1950- )|work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627094015/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=u000038|archive-date=June 27, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>

After college, Udall moved to Colorado and began his career with [[Outward Bound]], a [[non-profit]] [[outdoor education]] organization.<ref name="sen about">{{cite web|url=http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=about_mark|work=[[United States Senate]]|title=About Mark Udall|access-date=2014-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026223337/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=about_mark|archive-date=2014-10-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="rollcall">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_39/mark_udall_conquered_many_mountains_before_capitol_hill-209329-1.html|title=Sen. Mark Udall Conquered Many Mountains Before Climbing Capitol Hill|author=Jonathan Easley|date=October 11, 2011|work=[[Roll Call]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219102910/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_39/mark_udall_conquered_many_mountains_before_capitol_hill-209329-1.html|archive-date=December 19, 2011|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> For ten years Udall worked as a course instructor, in which he would bring patrons on outdoor expeditions. During his career in Outdoor Adventure Education he also was an instructor at DoDDS's Project Bold, located at the Hinterbrand Lodge in [[Berchtesgaden]], [[Germany]]. Afterward, Udall served as Outward Bound's Executive Director for ten years, after which Udall decided to retire, completing his twenty-year career with Outward Bound.<ref name="nj"/>

==Colorado House of Representatives==
In 1996, Udall was encouraged to run for the [[Colorado House of Representatives]] by [[Peggy Lamm]] of the 13th district, who had decided to retire.<ref name="MJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/mark-udalls-toughest-climb-20131127|title=Mark Udall's Toughest Climb|first=Bill|last=Gifford|work=[[Men's Journal]]|date=November 2008|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310162334/http://www.mensjournal.com/mark-udalls|archive-date=March 10, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> After running a [[grassroots]] campaign in the swing district, Udall narrowly defeated [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Drew Bolin to represent the [[Longmont, Colorado|Longmont]] and [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]] district.<ref name="ciruli">{{cite web|url=http://www.ciruli.com/view4.html|title=The Ciruli View|date=October 1998|work=Ciruli Associates}}</ref> During his two years in office, Udall served on the Judiciary and Agriculture Livestock & Natural Resources Committees.<ref name="corecord">{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/leghist.nsf/736b5262efff1c5087257751006d4155/5966f9c9e69da1f6872578e20063bcae?OpenDocument|title=Legislator Record|work=[[Colorado General Assembly]]}}</ref>

While in the Colorado House, Udall proposed legislation titled "Renewable Electricity Standard." It would have required at least 10% of energy consumed in Colorado to be provided by renewable sources rather than [[fossil fuels]]. The bill died in committee.<ref name="MJ"/> Udall chose not to run for re-election, instead decided to run for the [[United States Congress]]. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat, Tom Plant.<ref name="ciruli"/>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
===Elections===
After one term in the Colorado House of Representatives, Udall opted to run for [[Colorado's 2nd congressional district]], which was being vacated by incumbent [[David Skaggs]]. In the primary, Udall had four opponents: [[Gene Nichol]], [[Paul Weissmann]], and Dave Thomas. He won with 44% of the vote, defeating his closest opponent Nichol by 7 percentage points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/08/12/primary.results/colorado.html|title=Colorado Primary Results – Aug. 11, 1998|publisher=CNN|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819020608/http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/08/12/primary.results/colorado.html|archive-date=August 19, 2000|url-status=live}}</ref> He faced the Republican nominee, [[Boulder, Colorado]] Mayor [[Bob Greenlee]] in the general election. The race was unexpectedly close, with Udall narrowly winning, 49% to 47%. Udall was consecutively elected to five terms in the House, without major opposition. He was eventually succeeded by [[Jared Polis]], after he decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican [[Wayne Allard]].<ref name="encyclopedia"/>

==U.S. Senate==
===Elections===
;2004
{{main|2004 United States Senate election in Colorado}}
In 2004, Udall announced his candidacy for the Senate seat which was being vacated by [[Ben Nighthorse Campbell]]. However, the following day, [[Colorado Attorney General]] [[Ken Salazar]] announced his candidacy as well. Udall bowed out of the race and endorsed Salazar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradostatesman.com/editorials/991516-political-whirlwind-harks-back-04|title=Political whirlwind harks back to '04|date=January 8, 2010|author=Jody Hope Strogoff|work=The Colorado Statesman}}</ref>
 
;2008
{{main|2008 United States Senate election in Colorado}}
[[File:2008 United States Senate election in Colorado results map by county.svg|thumb|240px|right|Senate election results by county.]]
On January 15, 2007, incumbent Senator [[Wayne Allard]] announced he would not run for a third term.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070115/ap_on_go_co/allard_senate |title=Report: Sen. Allard won't seek 3rd term |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 15, 2007 |first=Steven K.|last= Paulson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117065256/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070115/ap_on_go_co/allard_senate |archive-date=January 17, 2007 |url-status=dead|via=[[Yahoo! News]] }}</ref> In April 2007, Udall announced his campaign for the Senate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/05/race_to_succeed_senatebidding.html|title=Race to Succeed Senate-Bidding Colorado Rep. Udall Already Getting Crowded|date=May 2, 2007|first=Greg|last=Grioux|work=[[Congressional Quarterly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503075932/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/05/race_to_succeed_senatebidding.html|archive-date=May 3, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Udall became the Democratic nominee for the race after running unopposed in the primary.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hook|first1=Carol|title=Fact Sheet: Mark Udall Vs. Bob Schaffer for Colorado's U.S. Senate Seat|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2008/11/04/fact-sheet-mark-udall-vs-bob-schaffer-for-colorados-us-senate-seat|access-date=August 11, 2014|magazine=US News|date=November 4, 2008}}</ref> In the general election, Udall faced former [[U.S. Representative]] Republican [[Bob Schaffer]]. By August 28, 2008, over $10 million had been spent on attack ads against Udall by political parties and [[political action committees]], an amount higher than in any other Senate race that year.<ref name="fail to shift">{{cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/09/23/attack-ads-fail-to-shift-udalls-lead/|work=Denver Post|first=Michael|last=Riley|title=Attack ads fail to shift Udall's lead|date=September 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927041513/http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_10541278|archive-date=September 27, 2008|url-status=dead|url-access=limited|access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>

The race was especially competitive, with Democrats wanting to expand their majority as much as possible due to that year's presidential election.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/co.htm?csp=34|title=Obama wins Colo.; Democrat Udall wins senate seat|date=November 5, 2008|author=Emily Bazar|work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> While both ''[[CQ Politics]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate |title=Race Ratings Chart: Senate |publisher=[[CQ Politics]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate |archive-date=2010-10-28 }}</ref> and ''[[Stuart Rothenberg|The Rothenberg Political Report]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-senate-ratings_29.html|title=Senate Ratings|publisher=[[Stuart Rothenberg|The Rothenberg Political Report]]|date=September 29, 2008}}</ref> estimated Udall would win, and ''[[The Cook Political Report]]'' considered it a 'Toss Up,'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/senate/raceratings_2008-10-09_12-20-35.php |title=2008 Senate Race Ratings |publisher=[[The Cook Political Report]] |date=September 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120172055/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/senate/raceratings_2008-10-09_12-20-35.php |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }}</ref> Udall maintained a steady lead in the polls, but with neither candidate usually topping 50%.<ref name="fail to shift"/> Udall described the race as "the toughest climb I've ever taken."<ref name="usatoday"/> On November 4, Udall won the election by 240,265 votes.

;2014
{{main|2014 United States Senate election in Colorado}}
[[File:2014 United States Senate election in Colorado results map by county.svg|thumb|240px|right|Senate election results by county.]]
On January 7, 2013, Udall announced he was running for re-election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coloradopols.com/diary/19205/sen-mark-udall-launches-2014-reelection-campaign|title=Sen. Mark Udall Kicks Off 2014 Re-Election Campaign|date=January 17, 2013|access-date=January 27, 2013|work=Colorado Pols}}</ref> Udall was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and faced Republican U.S. Representative [[Cory Gardner]] in the general election.  Although Udall was heavily favored in early polls, around September, Gardner gained and held a steady lead thereafter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/10/22/another-poll-shows-cory-gardner-ahead-in-colorado-is-the-seat-slipping-from-democrats/|title=Another poll shows Cory Gardner ahead in Colorado. Is the seat slipping away from Democrats?|author=Nia-Malika Henderson|date=October 22, 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

Udall's re-election campaign focused on [[Reproductive rights|reproductive]] and [[women's rights]]. Throughout, Udall attacked Gardner for his former support of a [[fetal personhood]] initiative, and claimed in ads that Gardner "championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control here in Colorado." [[PolitiFact.com]] rated his claim "half-true," saying that it "leaves out important details."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/apr/25/mark-udall/mark-udall-says-cory-gardner-championed-colorado-f/|title=Mark Udall ad says Cory Gardner 'championed' Colorado fight to ban birth control|author=Steve Contorno|date=April 25, 2014|work=[[PolitiFact.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/upshot/mark-udall-faces-a-turnout-challenge-in-colorado.html?abt=0002&abg=1&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=The%20Upshot&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article|title=Mark Udall Faces a Turnout Challenge in Colorado|author=Nate Cohn|work=[[New York Times]]|date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> On [[MSNBC]]'s ''[[The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell|The Last Word]]'', [[Alex Wagner]] attributed Udall's trailing poll numbers to his "focus on reproductive rights."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/10/31/msnbcs_wagner_udalls_singular_focus_on_womens_issues_has_been_the_problem_for_his_campaign.html|title=MSNBC's Wagner: Udall's "Singular Focus" on Women's Issues Has Been The Problem For His Campaign|date=October 31, 2014|work=[[MSNBC]]|publisher=[[RealClearPolitics]]|author=Ian Schwartz}}</ref> Due to his campaign's emphasis on these issues, Udall was ridiculed as "Mark Uterus."<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/10/13/mark-udall-has-been-dubbed-mark-uterus-on-the-campaign-trail-thats-a-problem/| title = Mark Udall has been dubbed 'Mark Uterus' on the campaign trail. That's a problem. – The Washington Post| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In an October 2014 ''[[Denver Post]]'' endorsement of his opponent, the editorial board stated that "Udall's campaign has devoted a shocking amount of energy and money trying to convince voters that Gardner seeks to outlaw birth control despite the congressman's call for over-the-counter sales of contraceptives. Udall is trying to frighten voters rather than inspire them with a hopeful vision."<ref>{{cite news|title=Cory Gardner for U.S. Senate|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/10/10/cory-gardner-for-u-s-senate/|access-date=August 25, 2024|newspaper=Denver Post|date=October 10, 2014|url-status=dead|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101092132/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_26701817/cory-gardner-u-s-senate|archive-date=November 1, 2014}}</ref>

Towards the end of his campaign, Udall was accompanied by [[Second Lady of the United States]] [[Jill Biden]], [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[Elizabeth Warren]], and former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/2014/11/01/3783293_jill-biden-tries-to-fire-up-democrats.html?rh=1|title=Jill Biden tries to fire up Democrats for Udall|author=Nicholas Riccardi|access-date=2014-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102023309/http://www.thestate.com/2014/11/01/3783293_jill-biden-tries-to-fire-up-democrats.html?rh=1|archive-date=2014-11-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2014, President [[Barack Obama]] headlined a fundraiser for Udall's campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Matthews|first1=Mark|title=Obama fundraiser for Udall to attract cash, criticism|url=http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_26100650/obama-fundraiser-udall-attract-cash-criticism|access-date=13 October 2014|publisher=Denver Post|date=July 6, 2014|work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]}}</ref> Udall lost the election.

===Senate tenure===
Less than one month after Udall took office in the Senate, newly elected [[President of the United States|President]] Obama nominated senior Colorado Senator [[Ken Salazar]] to serve as his [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]]. After his confirmation, Udall became the Senate's most junior senior Senator.<ref name="carbon">{{cite web|url=http://grist.org/article/2010-02-22-sen-mark-udall-i-think-its-crucial-to-price-carbon/|title=Sen. Mark Udall: "I think it's crucial to price carbon"|author=David Roberts|date=February 23, 2010|work=Grist}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities|Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities]] 
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support|Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces|Subcommittee on Strategic Forces]] (Chair)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]]
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Energy|Subcommittee on Energy]]
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on National Parks|Subcommittee on National Parks]] (Chair)
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests|Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests]]
* [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|Select Committee on Intelligence]]

==Political positions==
===Abortion===
[[NRLC- National Right to Life Committee ]] gives Udall a 0% rating for [[Abortion-rights movement|abortion rights]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_06n-NRLC.htm?state=CO|title=2014 Congressional Record on Choice|author=NARAL Pro-Choice America|work=prochoiceamerica.org|access-date=2015-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308123406/http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/government-and-you/us-government/congressional-record-on-choice/state-page.html?state=CO|archive-date=2015-03-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> while his opponent in 2014, Cory Gardner, earned a 100% rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-senate-races-with-the-biggest-ideological-stakes/|title=The Senate Races With the Biggest Ideological Stakes|work=FiveThirtyEight|date=8 July 2014 }}</ref>

===Agriculture===
In February 2014, Udall voted for the [[Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 1947; 113th Congress)|Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013]], a $1 trillion bill that ended direct payments to farmers but expanded crop insurance by $7 billion over the next decade,  created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop, and cut food stamp subsidies for 1.7 million people in 15 states.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sherry|first1=Allison|title=Farm bill passes, will benefit Colorado farmers, counties|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/02/04/farm-bill-passes-will-benefit-colorado-farmers-counties/|access-date=August 25, 2024|newspaper=Denver Post|date=February 5, 2014|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307104628/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25063961/farm-bill-passes-will-benefit-colorado-farmers-counties|archive-date=March 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Nixon|first1=Ron|title=Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill, With Clear Winners and Losers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/us/politics/senate-passes-long-stalled-farm-bill.html|access-date=August 25, 2024|newspaper=New York Times|date=January 4, 2014|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209153344/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/us/politics/senate-passes-long-stalled-farm-bill.html|archive-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref>

In 2011, Udall and Senator [[Susan Collins (politician)|Susan Collins]] successfully introduced an amendment to the Senate's agriculture appropriations bill. The amendment to the appropriations bill removed a limit placed on [[potatoes]] in the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]]'s new school nutrition guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/18/health/snowe-collins-lead-senate-vote-for-unlimited-potatoes-in-school-lunches/|title=Snowe joins Collins in Senate vote for unlimited potatoes in school lunches|date=October 18, 2011|work=[[Bangor Daily News]]|first=Jen|last=Lynds|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203224235/http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/18/health/snowe-collins-lead-senate-vote-for-unlimited-potatoes-in-school-lunches/|archive-date=December 3, 2013|access-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref>

===Campaign finance reform===
Udall is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of [[Issue One]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.issueone.org/reformers/|title= ReFormers Caucus |publisher=Issue One |access-date=2017-06-02}}</ref> a bipartisan organization dedicated to reducing the influence of money in politics.

===Cannabis===
{{Main|Drug policy of Colorado}}
Although Senator to the first state to legalize the recreational sale of marijuana, Udall took no official stance on [[Colorado Amendment 64]] during its campaign.<ref name="wtime">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/25/colorado-marijuana-vips-raise-green-stuff-for-sen-/|title=Colorado marijuana VIPs raise green stuff for Sen. Mark Udall|date=September 25, 2014|author=Valerie Richardson|work=[[The Washington Times]]}}</ref> After Amendment 64 and [[Washington Initiative 502|Washington state's similar initiative]] passed in 2012, Udall and the Senate delegations from [[Washington (state)|Washington]] addressed a letter to [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Eric Holder]] and [[White House Chief of Staff]] [[Denis McDonough]], imploring them to "let this experiment unfold," as Udall characterized it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.governing.com/news/headlines/marijuana-is-legal-in-colorado-but-politicians-still-cant-talk-about-it.html|title=Marijuana Is Legal in Colorado, but Politicians Still Can't Talk About It|author=Humberto Sanchez|date=September 23, 2014|work=Governing.com}}</ref>

===Domestic security===
Udall has opposed the [[National Security Agency]]'s (NSA) [[Global surveillance disclosures (2013–present)|mass surveillance programs]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mark Udall Touts NSA Reform (and Dings Obama) in Bid to Save Senate Seat|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/mark-udall-touts-nsa-reform-and-dings-obama-in-bid-to-save-senate-seat-20141015|magazine=National Journal|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> Following the revelation of the NSA's [[NSA warrantless surveillance (2001–07)|mass surveillance of Americans]], Udall has been an advocate for reform.<ref name="spying">{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/03/07/carroll-mark-udall-edward-snowden-and-spying/|title=Mark Udall, Edward Snowden and spying|first=Vincent|last=Carroll|work=Denver Post|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314065520/http://www.denverpost.com/carroll/ci_25296200/mark-udall-edward-snowden-and-spying|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/15/internet-surveillance-report-edward-snowden-leaks|title=Mass internet surveillance threatens international law, UN report claims|author1=Owen Bowcott|author2=Spencer Ackerman|name-list-style=amp|date=October 14, 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026111840/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/15/internet-surveillance-report-edward-snowden-leaks|archive-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Udall, along with Senators [[Ron Wyden]] and [[Rand Paul]], published an [[Op-ed]] in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' expressing their collective desire to "end the [[Dragnet (policing)|dragnet]] — and to affirm that we can keep our nation secure without trampling on and abandoning Americans' constitutional rights."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-oe-wyden-nsa-surveillance-20140617-story.html|title=How to end the NSA dragnet|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 16, 2014|first1=Ron|last1=Wyden|first2=Mark|last2=Udall|first3=Rand|last3=Paul|name-list-style=amp|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622200307/http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-wyden-nsa-surveillance-20140617-story.html|archive-date=June 22, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Udall expressed his support for [[Edward Snowden]] to return to America to "make his case."<ref name="snowden">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/12/rep-mike-rogers-id-pay-for-edward-snowdens-ticket-back-to-u-s-to-face-charges/|title=Rep. Mike Rogers: I'd Pay For Edward Snowden's Ticket Back to U.S. to Face Charges|author=Benjamin Bell|date=December 22, 2013|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225073057/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/12/rep-mike-rogers-id-pay-for-edward-snowdens-ticket-back-to-u-s-to-face-charges/|archive-date=December 25, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> After reports that the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] improperly spied on U.S. Senators, Udall called for the resignation of [[Director of the Central Intelligence Agency|Agency Director]] [[John O. Brennan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/31/cia-john-brennan-mark-udall_n_5638585.html|title=Sen. Mark Udall Calls For CIA Director John Brennan To Resign|date=July 31, 2014|work=[[Huffington Post]]|author=Igor Bobic}}</ref>

After the [[September 11 attacks]], the one-term Representative Udall was one of 66 House members to vote against the [[Patriot Act]].<ref name="accomplishments"/> In 2011, Udall voted against reauthorizing the Patriot Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_18150955|title=Beltway Blog — Udall votes against Patriot Act|first=Allison|last= Sherry|work=The Spot|publisher=Denver Post|date=May 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530073948/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/05/26/beltway-blog-udall-rebukes-senate-leadership-plans-to-vote-against-patriot-act/32163/|archive-date=May 30, 2011|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> In July 2014, Udall voted against the [[CISPA]] bill, a proposed law that would allow for the sharing of Internet traffic information between the U.S. government and technology and manufacturing companies, voicing his concerns that it "lacks adequate protections for the privacy rights."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/cispas-privacy-killing-successor-just-cleared-its-first-hurdle/|title=CISPA's Privacy-Killing Successor Just Cleared Its First Hurdle|author=Jason Koebler|date=July 9, 2014|work=Vice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804212540/http://motherboard.vice.com/read/cispas-privacy-killing-successor-just-cleared-its-first-hurdle|archive-date=August 4, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>

During the 2011 debate over the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012]] (NDAA), Udall introduced an amendment to end the practice of military detention of [[Habeas corpus in the United States|American citizens indefinitely and without trial]]. In response to the amendment's introduction, the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Barack Obama administration]] threatened to [[veto]] the bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html|title=Senate Votes To Let Military Detain Americans Indefinitely, White House Threatens Veto|first1=Michael|last1=McAuliff|first2=Jennifer|last2=Bendery|name-list-style=amp|date=November 30, 2011|work=[[Huffington Post]]|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202202223/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html|archive-date=December 2, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The amendment was rejected by a vote of 60–38 (with 2 abstaining).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00210|title=U.S. Senate – No HTTPS|work=senate.gov}}</ref> Udall subsequently voted for the Act in the [[Joint session of the United States Congress|joint session of Congress]] that passed it, and though he remained "extremely troubled" by the detainee provisions, he promised to "push Congress to conduct the maximum amount of oversight possible."<ref name="denverpost1">{{cite web|last=Sherry|first=Allison|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/12/15/beltway-blog-despite-concerns-udall-gives-nod-to-defense-authorization-bill/50286/|title=Beltway Blog — Despite concerns, Udall gives nod to Defense Authorization bill|work=The Spot|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|date=December 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104235744/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/12/15/beltway-blog-despite-concerns-udall-gives-nod-to-defense-authorization-bill/50286/|archive-date=January 4, 2012|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Udall has supported [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]], a clandestine anti-terrorism mass electronic surveillance data mining program launched in 2007 by the National Security Agency (NSA); however, he has also expressed support for introduction of measures to reform and limit the scope of the [[Patriot Act]]; 'The Patriot Act should be reformed so Americans' phone records do not get indiscriminately swept up in a federal government database.'<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sherry|first1=Allison|title=Sen. Mark Udall urges Patriot Act reform on Face the Nation|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/07/28/sen-mark-udall-urges-patriot-act-reform-on-face-the-nation/98815/|access-date=August 25, 2024|work=The Spot|publisher=Denver Post|date=July 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801213438/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/07/28/sen-mark-udall-urges-patriot-act-reform-on-face-the-nation/98815/|archive-date=August 1, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Economy===
Udall voted for the [[Employee Free Choice Act]] in 2007, which would have eliminated secret ballot in voting to [[Trade union|unionize]] businesses, and said that he supported the measure because the National Labor Relations Board would be the best forum to deal with concerns raised by the bill's opponents.<ref>{{cite news|first=Al|last=Eisele|title=Mark Udall: High Noon in the Senate|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-eisele/mark-udall-high-noon-in-t_b_185826.html|access-date=August 25, 2024|work=Huffington Post|date=April 11, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131024005418/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-eisele/mark-udall-high-noon-in-t_b_185826.html|archive-date=October 24, 2013}}</ref>

On February 10, 2009, Udall voted to pass the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]] (commonly referred to as The Stimulus or The Recovery Act). Udall was part of a bipartisan group of 20 senators who negotiated an agreement to set the stimulus bill size to around $600 billion and include $70 billion for the [[alternative minimum tax]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Michael|title=Udall, Bennet in thick of high-stakes drama|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/02/09/udall-bennet-in-thick-of-high-stakes-drama/|work=The Denver Post|date=February 10, 2009|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218054910/http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_11667410|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Michael|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/02/10/udall-concerned-about-next-round-of-stimulus-compromise/|title=Udall concerned about next round of stimulus compromise|work=The Denver Post|date=February 10, 2009|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417230052/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11671825|archive-date=April 17, 2009}}</ref>

In December 2010, Udall was one of seven Democrats to vote against a deal to extend the [[Bush tax cuts]] for two years as well as fund unemployment benefits for an additional 13 months, having stated, "Days after the most substantive national conversation we've had about addressing the debt, the debate suddenly has turned to extending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires that — alone — will cost $700 billion over the next decade."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/mark-udall-votes-no-on-ta_n_796222.html|title=Mark Udall Votes 'No' On Tax Deal (VIDEO)|date=December 13, 2010|work=Huffington Post|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140717195402/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/mark-udall-votes-no-on-ta_n_796222.html|archive-date=July 17, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Energy and environment===
Udall has supported tax breaks for [[renewable energy]] and the expansion of [[List of areas in the United States National Park System|national parks]]. Udall has a lifetime rating of 97% from the [[League of Conservation Voters]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/mark-e-udall|title=National Environmental Scorecard|work=[[League of Conservation Voters]]|date=25 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-senate-races-with-the-biggest-ideological-stakes/|title=The Senate Races With the Biggest Ideological Stakes|author=Harry Enten|date=July 8, 2014|work=[[FiveThirtyEight]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environmentcolorado.org/page/coe/interview-senator-mark-udall|title=Interview with Senator Mark Udall|work=Environment Colorado}}</ref><ref name="grist">{{cite web|url=http://grist.org/politics/enviros-pump-money-and-energy-into-colorado-senate-race/|title=Enviros pump money and energy into Colorado Senate race|date=May 14, 2014|author=Ben Adler|work=Grist|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912004558/https://grist.org/politics/enviros-pump-money-and-energy-into-colorado-senate-race/|archive-date=September 12, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, Udall helped lead a statewide ballot initiative (Amendment 37) to adopt the Renewable Electricity Standard, a standard he originally introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives. Working with the Republican [[Colorado House of Representatives|Colorado House Speaker]], the measure mandating 10% of energy consumed be from renewable sources, passed by a close margin 52% to 48%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colorado Voters Pass Renewable Energy Standard|url=http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2004/11/colorado-voters-pass-renewable-energy-standard-17736|publisher=Renewable Energy World|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bartels|first=Lynn|title=Mark Udall, Cory Gardner up on air with energy ads|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/10/25/udall-energy/114525/|date=October 25, 2014|newspaper=The Spot|publisher=The Denver Post|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028173114/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/10/25/udall-energy/114525/|archive-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/02/senator-udall-introduces-renewable-electricity-standard-bill|title=Senator Udall Introduces Renewable Electricity Standard Bill|publisher=Renewable Energy World|access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>

Throughout his career Udall has introduced the "Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act," which was passed in 2011. The act allows [[ski resort]]s to offer activities in the [[summer]].<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/ski-area-recreational-opportunity-act-summer-employ_n_994811.html|title='Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act' Aims To Boost Summer Ski Area Activities, Year-Round Employment|date=October 4, 2011|work=[[Huffington Post]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141026223700/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/ski-area-recreational-opportunity-act-summer-employ_n_994811.html|archive-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> In 2009, Udall introduced legislation to address the environmental damage caused by the [[pine beetle]] infestation in Colorado's forests, in what Udall described as one of the "biggest natural disasters."<ref>{{cite news|last=Koehler|first=Judith|title=Sen. Udall sponsors bill to attack pine beetles|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2010339854_apcobarkbeetlesudall3rdldwritethru.html|access-date=August 25, 2024|publisher=Associated Press|via=[[Seattle Times]]|date=November 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204655/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2010339854_apcobarkbeetlesudall3rdldwritethru.html|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2014, Udall came out in opposition of two Colorado ballot initiative that would have limited [[hydraulic fracturing]], or "fracking," and created an "Environmental Bill of Rights." While his opposition to the initiative aligned him [[Colorado Governor]] [[John Hickenlooper]], it put him at odds with the main proponent of the bills and his House district successor, [[Jared Polis]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Moreno|first=Ivan|title=Hickenlooper: No Special Session On Fracking|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/07/16/hickenlooper-no-special-session-on-fracking/|publisher=Associated Press|via=[[CBS Denver]]|date=September 6, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906224043/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/07/16/hickenlooper-no-special-session-on-fracking/|archive-date=September 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Udall has repeatedly voted against the [[Keystone XL]] pipeline, having said that he wants to wait until a technical review of the project by the [[United States Department of State|State Department]] is complete.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/06/12/mark-udall-keystone-pipeline/109906|title=Mark Udall's position on Keystone back in limelight|first=Lynn|last=Bartels|date=June 12, 2014|work=The Spot|publisher=Denver Post|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618131314/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/06/12/mark-udall-keystone-pipeline/109906/|archive-date=June 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Gun policy===
One week after the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], Colorado Senators Udall and [[Michael Bennet]] came out in support of a [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/sens-mark-udall-michael-b_n_2345493.html|title=Sens. Mark Udall, Michael Bennet Call For Stricter Gun Control Laws|work=[[Huffington Post]]|date=December 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225115055/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/sens-mark-udall-michael-b_n_2345493.html|archive-date=December 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the issue, Udall commented "if we can save one child in the future from being killed in such a way, I'm ready to push those kinds of policies."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/12/21/udall-ready-to-push-gun-control-save-lives/|title=Udall Ready To Push Gun Control Policies In Order To Save Lives|date=December 21, 2012|work=[[KCNC-TV]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230222114/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/12/21/udall-ready-to-push-gun-control-save-lives/|archive-date=December 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 17, 2013, Udall supported a failed amendment to expand background checks for gun purchases.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/18/17809775-first-thoughts-why-the-gun-measure-went-down-to-defeat|title=Why the gun measure went down to defeat|author=Chuck Todd|date=April 18, 2013|work=NBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419191327/http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/18/17809775-first-thoughts-why-the-gun-measure-went-down-to-defeat|archive-date=April 19, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>

In 2009, Udall upset gun control advocates for supporting an amendment that would have allowed [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed weapons]] to be transported across state lines.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12890999|title=Concealed-weapons measure fails in D.C.; Colo. senators voted 'yes'|author=Adam Schrager|date=July 22, 2009|work=[[Denver Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725033146/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12890999|archive-date=July 25, 2009|url-status=dead|url-access=limited|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> The [[National Rifle Association of America]] gave an "F" grade during his time in the House of Representatives. While during his tenure in the Senate, they have given him a "C" grade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_02n-NRA.htm|title=Public Notes on 02n-NRA|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=2018-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516112942/http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_02n-NRA.htm|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/02/21/nra-to-target-udall-in-print-ad-campaign/91407/|title=NRA to target Udall in print ad campaign|work=The Spot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228053805/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/02/21/nra-to-target-udall-in-print-ad-campaign/91407/|archive-date=February 28, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>

In 2023, Udall said if “in a time machine and going back” he would bring a grim message to himself: “This is going to get worse and worse. More and more people are going to be deeply affected by this.” He would vote for the ban and “take the political heat.”<ref>{{Cite news |title=After Sandy Hook, they voted no. Now these senators want new gun laws. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2023/assault-weapons-ban-debate-gun-control-ar-15-mass-shootings/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref>

===Health policy===
In December 2009, Udall voted for the [[Affordable Care Act]] (Obamacare).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396 |title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress – 1st Session|work=Legislation & Records|publisher=[[United States Senate]]|access-date=2013-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/07/12/gop-challengers-for-sen-mark-udalls-seat-face-big-challenges/|title=GOP challengers for Sen. Mark Udall's seat face big challenges|first=Lynn|last=Bartels|date=July 7, 2013|work=Denver Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222516/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23652778/gop-challengers-sen-mark-udalls-seat-face-big|archive-date=October 4, 2013|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead|url-access=limited}}</ref> Udall has also stated his support for a [[Public health insurance option|public option]] about which he stated, "[t]he reason I support a public option, if it's done in a fiscally responsible way, is it would create competition. Competition drives down cost and what we want to do is make insurance affordable for all Americans."<ref name="insurance">{{cite web|url=http://www.fox21news.com/news/story.aspx?id=345468|title=Sen. Mark Udall talks on health care reform|author=Christina Salvo|date=September 2, 2009|publisher=[[KQDS-TV]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926054633/http://www.fox21news.com/news/story.aspx?id=345468|archive-date=September 26, 2013|access-date=August 25, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2013, Udall was critical of the Colorado Division of Insurance concerning the Division's estimates of the number of Colorado residents whose medical insurance was cancelled in response to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.<ref name="DenPostStateFails">{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Kurtis|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/01/24/colorado-regulators-fail-to-provide-info-on-panel-in-sen-udall-aca-flap/|title=Colorado regulators fail to provide info on panel in Sen. Udall ACA flap|work=The Denver Post|date=January 25, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129074528/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24988585/state-fails-provide-info-panel-that-cleared-udall|archive-date=January 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DenPostGOPCallSpHear">{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Kurtis|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/01/27/dora-official-reverses-course-names-panelists-in-udall-aca-flap/|title=DORA official reverses course, names panelists in Udall ACA flap|work=The Denver Post|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205035331/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25003093/house-senate-gop-call-special-hearing-into-sen|archive-date=February 5, 2014|url-status=dead|url-access=limited}}</ref> Udall's office wanted the Division to lower the number from 250,000 because it believed the majority of individuals counted had received renewal options. The Division refused to change the numbers. Administrators at the Colorado Division of Insurance said they felt pressured by members of Udall's staff to change their estimates of policy cancellations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sherry|first1=Allison|last2=Booth|first2=Michael|title=Colorado official felt pressure from Udall office on Obamacare tally|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/01/09/colorado-official-felt-pressure-from-udall-office-on-obamacare-tally/|access-date=August 25, 2024|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=January 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122123629/http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_24880975/state-official-felt-pressure-from-udall-office-aca|archive-date=January 22, 2014|url-status=dead|url-access=limited}}</ref> A panel which investigated the matter concluded Udall's office behaved appropriately, however the investigation was criticized because the chair was appointed by Democratic governor John Hickenlooper; all other members of the panel were selected by the chair, who refused to name the other members of the panel, and left no written records of its investigation.<ref name="DenPostGOPCallSpHear" />

==Personal life==
Udall is married to Maggie Fox, an environmental lawyer who previously served as [[CEO]] of [[The Climate Reality Project]].<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of social media and politics|volume=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qS91AwAAQBAJ&q=Encyclopedia+of+social+media+and+politics+mark+udall&pg=PA1294|author=Kerric Harvey|page=1295|isbn=9781452290263|year=2013|publisher=SAGE Publications|via=Google Books}}</ref> The two met while working at [[Outward Bound]], and were married in 1982.<ref name="MJ"/><ref name="10 things">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2008/11/05/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-mark-udall|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Mark Udall|work=[[U.S. News]]|date=November 5, 2008|author=Carol S. Hook}}</ref> They have two children, Jedediah and Tess.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref name="nj">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline/race-tracker/53f64636197ed177c27d200b/MarkUdall|work=[[National Journal]]|title=Race Tracker-Mark Udall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026032213/http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline/race-tracker/53f64636197ed177c27d200b/MarkUdall|archive-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/09/10/ad-blows-smoke-a-variety-of-ways/|title=Ad blows smoke a variety of ways|newspaper=The Denver Post|first=Michael|last=Riley|date=September 11, 2008|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002728/http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10431246|archive-date=September 14, 2008|url-access=limited|url-status=dead}}</ref> A golfer, Udall was ranked the 11th best golfer in Congress by ''[[Golf Digest]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Furlong|first=Lisa|title=Washington's Top 150 Golfers|work=Golf Digest|url=http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-06/washingtons-top-150-golfing-politicians|date=June 2011|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623085157/http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-06/washingtons-top-150-golfing-politicians|archive-date=June 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Udall has said "there isn't a Coloradan out there who doesn't cycle, hunt, hike... We're an outdoor state. It fits our worldview, and it's how we define ourselves."<ref name="rollcall"/> An experienced [[mountaineer]], Udall has climbed many peaks during his work as an Outward Bound instructor, and in his personal life. Udall has climbed Colorado's 100 tallest peaks, known as "The Colorado Centennials," as well as [[Kangchenjunga]] in the [[Himalayas]] and [[Aconcagua]], the highest peak in [[South America]]. He has also attempted [[Mount Everest]] multiple times.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref name="rollcall"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Congressman Mark Udall biodata at|url=http://markudall.house.gov/HoR/CO02/Biography|work=House.gov|access-date=October 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101085621/http://markudall.house.gov/HoR/CO02/Biography/|archive-date=January 1, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/08/27/mark-udall-dallas-peak-colorado-mountains/111835/|title=Sen. Mark Udall: Winning over voters at 13,809 feet|date=August 27, 2014|work=The Spot|publisher=Denver Post|first=Lynn|last=Bartels|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831040308/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2014/08/27/mark-udall-dallas-peak-colorado-mountains/111835/|archive-date=August 31, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref>

In 1986, Udall and his wife went on a group trek of [[Mount Garmo]]. During the climb, Maggie broke her leg, and their fellow climber, Steve Monfredo, died on the mountainside.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/10/17/mapping-his-own-legacy/|title=Mapping his own legacy|first=Michael|last=Riley|work=The Denver Post|date=October 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022102512/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_10751407|archive-date=October 22, 2008|url-status=dead|url-access=limited|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Udall's 61-year-old brother, Randy Udall, went missing on June 26, 2013, after going on a solo hike in [[Wyoming]]'s [[Wind River Range]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Mark Udall's brother, James, missing after hiking in Wyoming|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/07/01/Sen-Mark-Udalls-brother-James-missing-after-hiking-in-Wyoming/UPI-82371372726663/|publisher=UPI|access-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912074809/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/07/01/Sen-Mark-Udalls-brother-James-missing-after-hiking-in-Wyoming/UPI-82371372726663/|archive-date=September 12, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 3, 2013, a body, later identified as that of Randy Udall, was found approximately 80 miles southeast of [[Grand Teton National Park]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Teams looking for Randy Udall find body|url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/9news-evenings/teams-looking-for-randy-udall-find-body/73-308979808|publisher=KUSA-TV|work=9News.com|date=July 3, 2013|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! Office
! District
! colspan=2 style="width: 18%;" | Democrat
! colspan=2 style="width: 15%;" | Republican
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 1996
| style="text-align: left;" | [[Colorado House of Representatives]]
| style="text-align: left;" | 13th district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''50%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Drew Bolin
| style="background:#fcc;"| 45%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 1998<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1998election.pdf|work=[[Federal government of the United States]]|publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION|year=1998}}</ref>
| style="text-align: left;" | [[United States House of Representatives]]
| style="text-align: left;" | [[Colorado's 2nd congressional district|Colorado's 2nd District]]
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''49%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Bob Greenlee
| style="background:#fcc;"| 47%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000election.pdf|work=[[Federal government of the United States]]|publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION|year=2000}}</ref>
| style="text-align: left;" | United States House of Representatives
| style="text-align: left;" | Colorado's 2nd district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''55%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Carolyn Cox
| style="background:#fcc;"| 38%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2002election.pdf|work=[[Federal government of the United States]]|publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION|year=2002}}</ref>
| style="text-align: left;" | United States House of Representatives
| style="text-align: left;" | Colorado's 2nd district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''61%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Sandy Hume
| style="background:#fcc;"| 37%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf|work=[[Federal government of the United States]]|publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION|year=2004}}</ref>
| style="text-align: left;" | United States House of Representatives
| style="text-align: left;" | Colorado's 2nd district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''67%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Stephen Hackman
| style="background:#fcc;"| 30%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006election.pdf|work=[[Federal government of the United States]]|publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]|title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION|year=2006}}</ref>
| style="text-align: left;" | United States House of Representatives
| style="text-align: left;" | Colorado's 2nd district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''68%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Rich Mancuso
| style="background:#fcc;"| 28%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | [[United States Senate election in Colorado, 2008|2008]]
| style="text-align: left;" | [[United States Senate]]
| style="text-align: left;" | [[List of United States Senators from Colorado|Colorado]] (''[[Classes of United States Senators|Class 2]]'')
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Mark Udall'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''52%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| [[Bob Schaffer]]
| style="background:#fcc;"| 42%
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | [[United States Senate election in Colorado, 2014|2014]]
| style="text-align: left;" | United States Senate
| style="text-align: left;" | Colorado ''(Class 2)''
| style="background:#ccf;"| Mark Udall
| style="background:#ccf;"| 46%
| style="background:#fcc;"| '''[[Cory Gardner]]'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| '''48%'''
|}

==See also==
* [[Udall family]]
* [[Lee-Hamblin family]]
* [[Kennedy family]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.elephantjournal.com/2008/09/congressman-mark-udall-on-religion-health-insurance-education-and-climbing-everest/ Make It Fuller: A Conversation with Congressman Mark Udall] ''Elephant'', summer 2005 interview

== External links ==
{{commons category|Mark Udall}}
{{wikisource|works=or}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141227074224/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/ Senator Mark Udall] official U.S. Senate website (archived)
* [http://www.markudall.com/ Mark Udall for Colorado] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029214140/http://www.markudall.com/ |date=2008-10-29 }}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=u000038 | votesmart=12329 | fec=H8CO02087 | congress=mark-udall/1595 }}
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/11111.html Udall Family of Arizona] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604220813/http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/11111.html |date=2011-06-04 }} at the [[Political Graveyard]]
* {{C-SPAN|7634}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[David Skaggs]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Colorado|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Colorado's 2nd congressional district]]|years=1999–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jared Polis]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tom Strickland]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of United States senators from Colorado|U.S. Senator]] from [[Colorado]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 2]])|years=[[2008 United States Senate election in Colorado|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in Colorado|2014]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Hickenlooper]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Wayne Allard]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from Colorado|U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Colorado]]|years=2009–2015|alongside=[[Ken Salazar]], [[Michael Bennet]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Cory Gardner]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Hank Brown]]|as=Former U.S. Senator}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Cory Gardner]]|as=Former U.S. Senator}}
{{s-end}}

{{USSenCO}}
{{ColoradoUSRepresentatives}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Udall, Mark}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Colorado General Assembly]]
[[Category:20th-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century Colorado politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century United States senators]]
[[Category:American mountain climbers]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Colorado]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians from Denver]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tucson, Arizona]]
[[Category:Udall family|Mark]]
[[Category:Williams College alumni]]