Elizabeth Helen Markey (born April 27, 1956) is a former American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Colorado's 4th congressional district from 2009 to 2011.

She also served as assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs in the United States Department of Homeland Security.

After completing a degree in political science, Markey worked for a short period of time on the staff of U.S.

Markey was hired as a staff assistant to the vice president for development and planning at American University in 1981.

[2] In the mid-1990s, Markey was also the owner of Huckleberry’s, a successful and popular coffee and ice cream shop in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado.

Markey announced her decision to run for United States House of Representatives for Colorado's 4th congressional district in June 2007.

During that time she also participated in the Local Legislative Affairs Committee (LLAC) for the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.

In his memoir, A Promise Land, Barack Obama described Markey as a promising and principled young House member who faced electoral defeat despite taking tough votes on critical issues such as healthcare and the Recovery Act, emphasizing Markey's commitment to her principles in the face of political challenges.

[9] In June 2007, Markey filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, and formally announced her intention to run in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District against Marilyn Musgrave.

The three-term incumbent had never been able to establish a secure footing in the district, in part because her Democratic opponents attacked her for her focus on social issues (such as the Federal Marriage Amendment) and her allegedly poor constituent services.

After her defeat, Markey became Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Homeland Security.