Wayne Norviel Aspinall

Democrat Representative of Colorado's 4th district

Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1949 - January 3, 1951
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1951 - January 3, 1953
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1953 - January 3, 1955
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 5, 1955 - January 3, 1957
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1957 - January 3, 1959
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 7, 1959 - January 3, 1961
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1961 - January 3, 1963
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 9, 1963 - January 3, 1965
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 4, 1965 - January 3, 1967
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 10, 1967 - January 3, 1969
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 3, 1969 - January 3, 1971
Representative
Colorado, district 4
January 21, 1971 - January 3, 1973

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1896 (87 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1983

Death

Served twelve terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973.
Chaired the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee from 1959 to 1973, focusing on Western land and water issues.
Known for his support of resource development, which often put him at odds with the environmental movement of the 1960s.
Born in Ohio but moved to Colorado in 1904, shaping his political ideology around rural and conservative values.
Served in both World Wars, first in the Air Service of the Signal Corps during WWI and as a captain in Military Government during WWII.
Held seats in both the Colorado State House of Representatives and State Senate before his tenure in Congress.
Advocated for the Colorado River Storage Project and the Frying Pan-Arkansas Project, emphasizing water development for economic prosperity.
Played a significant role in the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, despite initial resistance.
Involved in the Colorado River Basin Act of 1968 and the Central Arizona Project, focusing on water and energy revenue without heavily using Upper Basin river water.
Organized the Public Land Law Review Commission in 1965, recommending changes to federal land management.
Faced challenges from liberal Democrats in the 1970s, losing his seat in the 1972 Democratic primary due to his conservative stance and the changing political landscape.
Remained active in politics and advocacy for oil shale development after leaving Congress.
Died in 1983 in Palisade, Colorado, where he was a long-time resident.