Published: March 2, 2021
Udall Mountaineering

In talking with former US Senator Mark Udall, we explore his passions for the outdoors and creating change for the better through the many channels of leadership we all have in our lives.

Colorado resident and native Westerner Mark Udall represented the people of Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 2009 to 2015 and the 2nd Congressional District from 1999 to 2009. He also served one term in the Colorado General Assembly from 1997 to 1999. Udall was known during his 18 years of serving in elective office for reaching across party lines to solve problems. He championed bipartisan legislation to balance the nation’s budget, fight climate change, protect our public lands and establish tough but smart national security policies. 

Udall played a key role at real political risk in exposing the CIA’s torture program that was secretly begun after 9/11. His efforts are highlighted in the full-length Hollywood film The Report, which was released in November 2019. 

Before serving in Congress, Udall was a field instructor and later Executive director for the Colorado Outward Bound School. He is an avid mountaineer and has climbed or attempted some of the world’s most challenging peaks, including Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat, Denali and Aconcagua. 

Udall sits on the boards of the Grand Canyon Trust, Protect Our Winters (POW), The dZi Foundation, the Council for a Livable World (CLW Mission: To rid the world of nuclear weapons), and Gifford’s: Courage to Fight Gun Violence. 

Udall and his wife, Maggie Fox, live in Eldorado Springs, Colorado.