George Alfred Carlson, Governor

George Alfred Carlson was born on October 23, 1876, in Alta, Iowa, of parents who emigrated from Sweden. The family moved to Colorado in 1881 and established a home in Villa Park, a suburb of Denver. Carlson graduated from the Colorado State Normal School in 1898 and then attended the University of Colorado. He graduated in 1902 and soon obtained his Juris Doctorate of Law Degree from the same institution in 1904. He then practiced law for one year in Lewiston, Idaho, and in 1905, returned to Colorado to establish a private law office in Fort Collins.

In 1908, he was elected District Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District and was serving in that capacity when he was elected governor in 1914. The coal strike that resulted in the "Ludlow Massacre" in 1914 near Trinidad, Colorado, and liquor prohibition were the main issues in the campaign. Voters split their votes between the Democrats and the Progressives which resulted in the Republicans ousting Democrat Governor Elias M. Ammons and electing George A. Carlson as governor. The Republicans also won most of the state offices in this election.

The influence of the reforming Progressive Party was felt upon the new administration. With the inauguration of Governor Carlson, the coal strike conditions that had dominated Ammons' administration virtually ceased and the federal troops that were brought in to squelch the strike in southern Colorado soon withdrew. Carlson aided in passing laws designed to promote the cause of labor and prevent strikes. For instance, the Industrial Commission of Colorado was created to investigate the causes that lead to strikes. The Commission was also given regulatory power intended to improve the conditions of labor, and was authorized to arbitrate in cases of disputes between employers and employees, with a view to preventing strikes or lockouts. These measures greatly reduced the number of strikes by requiring a thirty day cooling off period. A Workmen's Compensation law was also passed, providing insurance for laborers against accidents or death.

John D. Rockefeller Jr., one of the larger property owners in the coal field where the principal strikes in 1914 had occurred, made an inquiry into the causes of the strike difficulties. After considerable investigation, he evolved a policy whereby all interests were to be given representation, unions were not to be antagonized, and non-union men were to be safeguarded.

Governor Carlson was instrumental in securing passage of another reform measure, the state "Dry Law" which prohibited the manufacture or sale of alcohol. He strongly encouraged the enforcement of this law as well as many others, which resulted in the reduction of lawlessness during his tenure. After one term, he resumed his law practice in Denver and resided at 915 Emerson Street.

He first married Rosa Lillian Alps of Loveland, Colorado, on August 29, 1906. She died on February 9, 1922, leaving four children: Elaine B., George Alfred Jr., John Swink, and Juanita Rosa. His second marriage was to Louise Avery Crose, whom he married on March 11, 1924. They had one daughter, Bessie.

Carlson died in Denver on December 6, 1926, and is buried in Greeley, Colorado.