Alva Blanchard Adams

Democrat Senator of Colorado

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1875 (66 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1941

Death

Served as a Democratic U.S. Senator for Colorado in two non-consecutive terms (1923-1924 and 1933-1941)
Born to a father who served as the Governor of Colorado
Graduated from Phillips Academy, Yale University, and Columbia Law School
Held positions as county attorney in Pueblo County, regent of the State University of Colorado, and Pueblo city attorney
Served as a major in the Judge Advocate General’s department during World War I
Became the first U.S. Senator from Colorado born in the state
Did not run in the special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel D. Nicholson but instead ran against and lost to Republican Senator Lawrence C. Phipps in a regularly scheduled election
Won a narrow victory in the Democratic primary and the general election to return to the Senate in 1932, was re-elected in 1938
Died in office from a myocardial infarction in 1941
The Alva B. Adams Tunnel, a key component of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, is named after him
Lived in the Orman-Adams House in Pueblo, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Served on five standing committees and three select or special committees during his time in the Senate
Chaired the Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation and the Committee on Public Lands and Surveys