Johnson, Edwin C. (Edwin Carl), 1884-1970

Colorado state representative (1923-1931). Colorado Lieutenant Governor (1931-1932). Governor of Colorado (1933-1937, 1955-1957). U.S. Senator from Colorado (1937-1955).

Edwin Carl Johnson (1884-1970) was Governor of Colorado in 1933 – 1937 and 1955 – 1957, the only person to serve three terms as Governor of Colorado and three terms as a United States Senator. A Democrat in a then predominately Republican state, Johnson's political positions oscillated between the two. He did not support New Deal legislation, creating instead budget and civil service reforms as well as initiating a $20 million highway construction program in Colorado. Johnson was an isolationist, voting against US military involvement in foreign wars and opposing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) prior to the war. However, he supported the United Nations Charter and Marshall Plan following World War II. He warned the Senate against US military involvement in the Vietnam conflict in the 1950's. He was instrumental in the creation of the G.I. Bill of Rights, Lowry Air Force Base, and the Air Force Academy. Johnson also co-authored sections of the Atomic Energy Bill.

Edwin Carl Johnson served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, Colorado State Senate. He also served three terms as Governor of the State of Colorado from 1933-1937 and again from 1955-1957 as well as three terms as a member of the U.S. Senate representing Colorado from 1937-1955. His legislative expertise in the area of water law and policy led to his appointment as the Colorado representative to the Upper Colorado River Commission. The main task of the Commission was to protect the rights of states to a fair share of the water from the Colorado River. The Colorado River Storage Project fostered water conservation and water allocation. He crafted the legislation that governs the use and availability of Colorado River water to Colorado as well as other states.