Ed Perlmutter Bio
Edwin George Perlmutter, born on May 1, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Colorado’s 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the northern and western suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area throughout his congressional tenure. Before his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Perlmutter served in the Colorado State Senate, representing the 20th district. He is widely recognized for his legislative work on financial services for the cannabis industry.
After serving seven terms in Congress, Perlmutter announced on January 10, 2022, that he would not seek reelection in 2022, bringing his time in the House to a close at the end of that term. His career spanned nearly three decades in elected office, beginning at the state level and culminating in a prominent national role. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Early Life and Background
Edwin George Perlmutter was born in Denver, Colorado, on May 1, 1953, the son of Alice Love (née Bristow) and Leonard Michael Perlmutter. His father was Jewish and the son of immigrants from Poland, while his mother was Christian and of English and Irish descent. Perlmutter identifies as a Christian, reflecting the mixed religious background of his upbringing in mid-century Denver.
He grew up in the greater Denver area and graduated from Jefferson High School in Edgewater, Colorado. The metropolitan Denver region, with its blend of working-class neighborhoods and growing suburbs, helped shape his early understanding of community issues. His uncle, Jordon Perlmutter, was a well-known Denver real estate developer, giving the family ties to the local business community.
Perlmutter went on to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1975. He continued his studies at the same institution, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1978 and qualifying him to practice law in Colorado. His legal education laid the foundation for a career that would eventually move from the courtroom to the legislature.
Path to US Politics
After completing his law degree, Perlmutter began a career as a practicing attorney, working in the Denver area and engaging with civic matters across the region. His interest in public service gradually grew, leading him to assist with numerous political campaigns in Colorado during the 1990s and early 2000s. He also served as co-chair of the John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign in Colorado, sharpening his organizing skills at the state level.
In 1994, Perlmutter set his sights on the Colorado State Senate, running to represent central Jefferson County in the 20th district. He won that race, becoming the first Democrat elected in the district in 30 years. The victory marked a turning point in his career and signaled his arrival as a serious political figure in Colorado.
Perlmutter went on to serve two four-year terms in the State Senate, from 1995 to 2003, building a reputation for constituent service and legislative work on local issues. When he left the State Senate, he had gained the experience and visibility needed to mount a campaign for federal office. That opportunity arrived in 2006, when he challenged for an open congressional seat.
Ed Perlmutter Career
Early Career (1995–2006)
Perlmutter’s early career in elected office began in the Colorado State Senate, where he served two terms representing the 20th district from 1995 to 2003. As the first Democrat to hold the seat in three decades, he spent those years navigating a competitive political environment while building relationships across the aisle.
Following his time in the State Senate, Perlmutter remained active in state and national Democratic politics through the mid-2000s, including his work as co-chair of John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign in Colorado. By 2006, he was ready to seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He launched a campaign for Colorado’s 7th congressional district, a seat being vacated by Republican Bob Beauprez.
U.S. House of Representatives Breakthrough (2007–2014)
Perlmutter won the Democratic primary for the 7th district in 2006, defeating former State Representative Peggy Lamm and college professor Herb Rubenstein with 53 percent of the vote. In the general election, he faced Republican Rick O’Donnell, the state education chair, and a Green Party candidate, Dave Chandler. Perlmutter went on to defeat O’Donnell by a margin of 54 percent to 42 percent, helping Democrats regain the majority in the U.S. House.
He won reelection in 2008 against Republican nominee John W. Lerew, and again in 2010, when his seat had been cited as a Republican target. In that 2010 contest, Perlmutter defeated Republican Ryan Frazier and Libertarian Buck Bailey on November 2. Two years later, he faced a stronger challenge after redistricting made his district 4 percent less Democratic. Despite the change, he defeated Republican Joe Coors Jr. on November 6, 2012, leading by 9 percentage points in Jefferson County and by 17 percentage points in Adams County. In 2014, he won another term against Republican Don Ytterberg with 55.1 percent of the vote.
Late Congressional Era (2015–2023)
Perlmutter continued his winning streak in 2016, defeating Republican George Athanasopoulos and Libertarian Martin L. Buchanan with 55.18 percent of the vote. In April 2017, he announced a run for Governor of Colorado in the 2018 election, but by July 2017 he had withdrawn from the gubernatorial race and initially planned to leave Congress. However, by August 21, 2017, he reversed course and ran for reelection, ultimately defeating Republican Mark Barrington with 60.42 percent of the vote.
In his final two cycles, Perlmutter maintained his strong hold on the district. In 2020, he defeated Republican Casper Stockham, Libertarian Ken Biles, and Unity nominee Dave Olszta with 59.1 percent of the vote. On January 10, 2022, he announced he would not seek reelection in 2022, and he concluded his service at the end of the term in January 2023. During his time in Congress, he earned a reputation as a thoughtful legislator focused on financial services, local economic development, and constituent service.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Perlmutter’s signature legislative achievements was his work on the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. Since 2013, he and Representative Denny Heck introduced legislation to improve access to banking and financial services for cannabis businesses. Initially known as the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act, it was rebranded as the SAFE Banking Act in 2017. On September 25, 2019, the House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act by a vote of 321 to 103, marking the first time a standalone cannabis reform bill had passed either chamber of Congress.
Ed Perlmutter Career Wins
Ed Perlmutter compiled a strong record of electoral victories throughout his political career, winning multiple races at both the state and federal levels. From the State Senate through his seven terms in Congress, he consistently prevailed in competitive districts and built durable coalitions of voters.
U.S. House of Representatives Highlights
Perlmutter first won Colorado’s 7th congressional district in 2006 with 54 percent of the vote and held the seat through seven consecutive victories. His most recent wins included 60.42 percent in 2018 against Mark Barrington and 59.1 percent in 2020 against Casper Stockham, demonstrating continued strength even as the district’s political composition shifted. His first congressional victory over Rick O’Donnell helped Democrats regain the House majority, while his 2012 win against Joe Coors Jr. came despite redistricting that made the district less favorable for his party.
Other Wins & Achievements
Before his time in Congress, Perlmutter served two four-year terms in the Colorado State Senate representing the 20th district from 1995 to 2003. He was the first Democrat elected in that district in 30 years, a milestone that signaled his early ability to win in competitive territory. He also served as co-chair of the John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign in Colorado.
Ed Perlmutter Family
Family Background and Personal Lineage
Edwin George Perlmutter was born to Leonard Michael Perlmutter, whose family had come to the United States from Poland, and Alice Love (née Bristow), of English and Irish descent. His mixed religious heritage shaped his upbringing in Denver, and he identifies as a Christian today. His uncle, Jordon Perlmutter, was a prominent Denver real estate developer whose career connected the Perlmutter family to the city’s business community.
Personal Life
Perlmutter has three children. He was married to his first wife, Deana Perlmutter, from 1981 until their divorce in 2008. In November 2010, he married Nancy Henderson, and the couple has been together since. His family life remained largely out of the public spotlight, even as his congressional career brought increased attention to his work in Washington and back in Colorado.