Ed has deep roots in the 7th Congressional District and has lived in Jefferson County his entire life. His grandfather and father ran a concrete business (in what is now the 7th District) for decades. Ed attended Jefferson County public schools and then worked construction with his father during the summers while in law school at the University of Colorado. He chose to raise his family in the district where his three daughters also attended Jefferson County Public Schools. Ed currently lives in Arvada with his wife Nancy, a public school teacher, who also has three children who attended Jeffco public schools.
Since taking office in 2007, one of Ed’s biggest priorities has been completion of the new VA Medical Center in Aurora. The new VA Medical Facility was plagued by problems for more than a decade, but the project is now back on track. Ed helped lead the Colorado delegation’s efforts to change the construction team on the project and fully fund completion of the facility. Ed continues to monitor the project’s progress to ensure there are no further delays and our Veterans receive the care they need before and after the new medical center opens its doors.
Ed has also worked to put Veterans back to work when they return and ensure they receive the benefits they earned through their service to our country. Ed supports protecting and strengthening the post-9/11 GI Bill to ensure Veterans have access to their education and housing benefits and that DOD and the VA are collaborating on how to transition Veterans back home. Ed has also supported resources and legislative reforms to reduce the disability claim backlog. When Veterans are injured during their service, it’s our responsibility to get them the benefits they are owed.
In 2017, Ed held eight Vietnam War 50th Commemoration ceremonies and honored nearly 900 Vietnam-era Veterans in Colorado. Click here for more information.