Love, John A., 1916-

John Arthur Love (1916-2002) was governor of Colorado from 1962-1973. His gubernatorial terms saw increases in spending for education and pollution control, as well as the first state law legalizing abortion, and a "sunshine law", which opened government meetings to the public. After leaving the governorship, he became Director of the Office of Energy Policy under President Richard M. Nixon. He later served as CEO and Director of the Denver-based Ideal Basic Industries, taught history at the University of Northern Colorado, and served as a trustee of the University of Denver.

From the description of John A. Love papers, 1952-1973. (University of Denver, Penrose Library). WorldCat record id: 55747097

Governor of Colorado 1963-1973. B. Nov. 29, 1916 near Gibson City, Ill. Family moved to Colorado Springs 1920. Earned degrees from University of Denver (LLB 1941). After law practice in Colorado Springs and three terms as Colorado Governor, served briefly (July-Dec. 1973) as Director of the Energy Policy Office, Washington, D.C. Returned to Colorado 1974 to work for Ideal Basic Industries.

From the description of Governor John Love papers, 1954-1989. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 13591149

John A. Love was born November 29, 1916 in Illinois. When he was a child, his family moved to Colorado and settled in Colorado Springs in hopes of curing his father’s respiratory illness. He graduated from The Cheyenne Mountain School in 1934 and then proceeded to the University of Denver, where he earned a B.A. degree in 1938 and a law degree in 1941. He was on the staff of the University of Denver student newspaper, The Clarion, and served as editor his senior year. He also served as president of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association.

World War II found Love in the U.S. Navy Aviation program. He was a pilot of amphibious bombers for over two years, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with clusters. After the war he returned to Colorado Springs and opened a law practice, specializing in civil and corporate law.

Love was a political neophyte when he was elected governor of Colorado in 1962. It was his first elective office, but the Colorado Springs lawyer used his platform of lower taxes to defeat the incumbent, Stephen McNichols. He made good on this promise to lower taxes. During his three terms as governor, he was active in promoting Colorado throughout the United States. The tourist industry boomed during his tenure, as did the ski industry. With the support of Governor Love, Colorado was proposed as a host for the 1976 Winter Olympics. That opportunity was abandoned when, in 1972, a referendum refused to allow any state money to be used to stage the games.

Love was a political moderate. His term in office saw increased funding for education as well as important water and air pollution legislation. In 1967, he signed the first state law in the U.S. legalizing abortion, and later approved the “Sunshine Law,” which opened government meetings to the public.

In 1973, Love resigned as governor to serve as the first Director of the Office of Energy Policy under President Richard M. Nixon. He left that position after five months and returned to Colorado and the private sector. He served on the Board of Directors and as CEO of Ideal Basic Industries, a cement manufacturer, as well as counsel to the Denver law firm of Davis, Graham & Stubbs. He also taught history at the University of Northern Colorado, and served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees of the University of Denver.

Love married Ann Daniels in 1942. She died in 1999. Governor Love died January 21, 2002, and was survived by his three children, Daniel Arthur, Major General John Andrew, and Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis.

From the guide to the John A. Love papers, 1952-1973, (Special Collections and Archives, Penrose Library, University of Denver, 2150 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80208)