Teller Ammons


Teller Ammons was the 28th Governor of Colorado from 1937 to 1939. He was the first Colorado governor to be born in the state.

Early life and education

Ammons was the son of Colorado Governor Elias M. Ammons and Elizabeth Fleming, and was named for his father's friend, U.S. Senator Henry Moore Teller.

Career

He served with the 154th Infantry Regiment in the United States Army in France during World War I.
After the war, he returned to Colorado to work on a ranch and in a newspaper office. He earned a law degree from the University of Denver's Westminster Law School in 1929.
Ammons was elected to the Colorado Senate in 1930 and served until 1935, when Denver Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton appointed him as Denver city attorney. He was elected governor in 1936. As Governor, he was responsible for the execution of Joe Arridy, who was innocent of the crime he was accused of. After one two-year term, he was defeated for reelection in 1938 by Ralph L. Carr.
During World War II, he served as a lieutenant colonel on the selection and assignment board for military officers until 1944. In 1944, he was part of the military government of Guam. He separated from the service in 1945.
Afterward, he practiced law in Denver until his retirement.

Death and legacy

Teller Ammons died on January 16, 1972, and was buried in Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.