Brittany Pettersen Bio
Brittany Louise Pettersen (born December 6, 1981) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado’s 7th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents a district that covers the western Denver suburbs and the mountain communities of central Colorado.
Before her election to Congress, Pettersen built a career in state government, serving in both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly. She is known for her work on progressive policy priorities, including gun safety, energy reform, and expanding youth civic engagement, and she continues to advocate for new parents serving in the U.S. House.
Early Life and Background
Brittany Louise Pettersen was born on December 6, 1981, in Jefferson County, Colorado. Growing up in the Denver area, she was raised in a community that emphasized civic participation and public service. Her early surroundings in Jefferson County helped shape her interest in local government and community organizing.
As a young adult, Pettersen became involved in progressive causes and youth voter engagement, which pointed her toward a career in public service. She later pursued higher education at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Her academic training gave her a strong foundation in government, policy, and the political process that would shape her future career.
Path to US Politics
Before running for office, Pettersen worked with New Era Colorado, a nonprofit progressive political advocacy organization that focuses on increasing youth participation in politics and government. Her work with the group helped her develop skills in organizing, communications, and campaign strategy, while also building a network of contacts across the Colorado political landscape.
These early experiences prepared her to enter electoral politics. Pettersen transitioned from nonprofit advocacy to running for the Colorado House of Representatives, where she began her formal career as an elected official. Her background in youth civic engagement remained a recurring theme in her later legislative work.
Brittany Pettersen Career
Early Career (2012-2018)
Pettersen first entered the Colorado General Assembly as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, representing the 28th district. During her time in the state house, she worked on a wide range of legislation and built a reputation as an active legislator. In 2013, she notably opposed a repeal of the death penalty in Colorado.
In April 2017, after U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter announced a run for governor, Pettersen declared her candidacy for Colorado’s 7th congressional district. She ended that campaign when Perlmutter re-entered the congressional race. In 2018, she ran for and won a seat in the Colorado State Senate, representing the 22nd district.
Breakthrough (2019-2022)
During her tenure in the Colorado Senate, Pettersen drew both support and controversy. In July 2019, the Colorado secretary of state approved the circulation of a recall petition against her. Organizers cited her support for taxpayer-funded heroin-injection sites, the National Popular Vote bill, comprehensive oil and gas reform, human sexuality education, and the Red Flag bill. They abandoned the effort in September 2019 without submitting signatures.
After U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter announced he would retire from the U.S. House following the 2022 session, Pettersen once again declared her candidacy for Colorado’s 7th congressional district. In November 2022, she defeated Republican nominee Erik Aadland, winning the race with more than 56 percent of the vote and earning her seat in Congress.
Democratic Era (2023-Present)
Since taking office in 2023, Pettersen has served as the U.S. representative for Colorado’s 7th congressional district. In 2024, she ran for reelection and defeated Republican nominee Sergei Matveyuk with 55.3 percent of the vote, a margin 1.1 percent lower than her 2022 result.
About a month after giving birth to her second son, Pettersen flew to Washington, D.C., to vote on a continuing resolution because she was not given the ability to vote by proxy. She has since worked with fellow U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna to pass a measure in the House that would allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for congressional members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth. On July 12, 2024, Pettersen called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most significant moments, Pettersen’s 2022 victory made her the representative for Colorado’s 7th congressional district, and her successful 2024 reelection solidified her position in the U.S. House. Her bipartisan work with Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna on proxy voting for new parents has also become a signature initiative of her time in office.
Brittany Pettersen Career Wins
Brittany Pettersen has built a record of electoral wins at both the state and federal levels, beginning with her early entry into the Colorado House of Representatives, continuing through her successful 2018 race for the Colorado Senate, and culminating in her 2022 election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Colorado Legislature Highlights
Pettersen served in the Colorado House of Representatives for the 28th district before winning a seat in the Colorado Senate for the 22nd district in 2018. Her 2019 recall effort was abandoned by organizers before reaching the ballot, allowing her to continue her Senate tenure and prepare for her next campaign.
U.S. House of Representatives Achievements
Pettersen first won Colorado’s 7th congressional district seat in 2022 with more than 56 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Erik Aadland. She followed that victory with a successful reelection campaign in 2024, defeating Republican Sergei Matveyuk with 55.3 percent of the vote.
Brittany Pettersen Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Pettersen was raised in Jefferson County, Colorado, where she developed an early interest in civic life and community organizing. Her upbringing in the Denver area shaped the values that later guided her political career and her commitment to public service.
Spouse and Children
In 2017, Pettersen married Ian Silverii, the executive director of ProgressNow Colorado, at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion. Pettersen and Silverii have two children. She has spoken publicly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with service in Congress, an experience that has shaped her legislative work on proxy voting for new parents.