Betsy Markey (CO-04)

A successful business entrepreneur, community activist, and mother, Betsy Markey will bring hands-on problem solving the US Congress.

In the late 1980s, Betsy and her husband started an internet business, Syscom Services. Under her leadership, by 1996 the business had grown to be number 99 on Inc's list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in America. In the mid-1990s, after moving to Colorado, Betsy operated a second successful small business, an ice cream shop called Huckleberry's.  

In 2001, Betsy merged her small business experience with her interest in public service. She founded the Northern Colorado Democratic Business Coalition to encourage small business owners to voice their opinions. In 2002, she was elected to Chair the Larimer County Democratic Party. During her tenure the party helped elect several Democrats to public office at the local, state and national level. From there, Betsy served as U.S. Senator Ken Salazar’s Regional Director for the north central and high plains region of Colorado.

In her community, Betsy has earned a reputation of leadership by serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank for Larimer County. She also chaired the Food Bank’s capital campaign which raised nearly a million dollars to expand the Food Bank facility and the services they provide.

After earning a Masters degree from American University, Betsy became a President Management Fellow where she worked in both the Treasury and State Departments. After completing the program, the State Department recruited her as the new Director of Computer Security Policy and Training. Betsy has been married to her husband Jim for 23 years and they have three children.

Betsy is challenging incumbent Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave who has served since 2002 and is one of the most conservative members of Congress. Musgrave’s anti-choice record has earned her high marks from the National Right to Life Committee and in 2006, one government watchdog group rated Musgrave the third most corrupt member of Congress.  Betsy has the endorsement of EMILY’s List and the DCCC has targeted this race for its Red to Blue Program. Polling shows Betsy is on track to unseat the incumbent – but she's being outspent and needs your help to cross the finish line!

It is Democrats like Betsy, from Republican districts ready for change, who will help build the majority in Congress that President Obama will need. 

We must do everything we can to help elect Betsy Markey. You can help her campaign by contributing now. If you live near Betsy and would like to help you can also sign up to volunteer and we will help connect with her campaign. The stakes are too high, the time is short – get involved today.