Carl Bledsoe
Carl Beverly "Bev" Bledsoe (October 6, 1923 – June 5, 2012) was a retired Colorado state politician, representing the Eastern Plains counties of Colorado in the state House of Representatives. He served as Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1981 to 1991, making the longest tenured speaker ever in the state's history.
Carl B. Bledsoe | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives | |
| In office 1973–1991 | |
| Speaker (1981–1991) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 6, 1923 Aroya, Colorado |
| Died | June 5, 2012 (aged 88) Aroya, Colorado[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Elizabeth Cotellessa[2] |
| Children | Three |
| Alma mater | University of Colorado Colorado State University |
Bledsoe was born in Aroya, Colorado to Carl and Josie Bledsoe. After attending public schools and the University of Colorado, he served in World War II, attaining the rank of sergeant. Upon his return, he studied for a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry from Colorado State University and began ranching near Hugo.[2]
Prior to his election to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1973, Bledsoe sat on and chaired many county political, school, and veterinarian committees. He served nine consecutive terms in the house and led the legislative audit and finance committees. He retired in 1991. He died at his home in Hugo in 2012 at the age of 88.[3]
References
- "In Loving Memory of Bev". Memorial Networks. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- Sharp, Nancy Weatherly; Sharp, James Roger (1997). American legislative leaders in the West, 1911-1994. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-30212-1. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- Bartels, Lynn (5 June 2012). "Bev Bledsoe, longtime Colorado House speaker, dies at age 88". Denver Post.