George Alfred Carlson

George Alfred Carlson ( born October 23, 1875 in Alta, Buena Vista County, Iowa, † December 6, 1926 in Denver, Colorado ) was an American politician and from 1915 to 1917 the 19th Governor of the State of Colorado.

Early years and political rise

Carlson attended until 1902, the Colorado State University. After a subsequent law studies at the University of Colorado, he was admitted in 1904 as a lawyer. Between 1904 and 1908 he worked in his new profession in Fort Collins. Between 1908 and 1914 he was district attorney for the eighth judicial district. On 3 November 1914 he was elected as a candidate of the Republican Party as the new governor of his state. He benefited from a split within the Democratic Party, which lost many votes to the Progressive Party.

Governor of Colorado

Carlson took up his new post on January 12, 1915. In his two-year tenure, he initiated a number of reforms in labor law that were necessary, especially in the mining industry due to the many strikes and unrest in recent years. These laws included a compensation law for accidents at work ( Workers 's Compensation Law ). During this time, an industry Commission was established in Colorado. At that time, a strict prohibition law was passed, the Colorado turned into a so-called "dry" state, in which the trade and consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited. In 1916, Carlson applied unsuccessfully for reelection. For this reason he had on 9 January 1917 resign from his office.

After the end of his governorship Carlson withdrew from politics. He was re- worked in Denver as a lawyer. There he is also deceased in December 1926. George Carlson was married twice and had five children.