The eldest of three sons of Charles J. and Lucy S. Menefee Hughes, Gerald Hughes was born in Richmond, Missouri, and grew up in Denver, Colorado.
He graduated from Yale University in 1897 and from the University of Denver Law School in 1899. He then joined his father in the practice of law. Charles J. Hughes was elected to the United States Senate from Colorado in 1908 and died in 1911. The following year, Gerald Hughes formed the firm of Hughes and Dorsey. He was
active in many business enterprises, including the First National Bank of Denver, International Trust Company, Denver Tramway Company, Denver Union Water Company and numerous mining companies.throughout the state. A Democrat, Hughes was active in politics including tenure in the Colorado Senate from 1902 to 1904.