John Arthur Love (November 29, 1916 – January 21, 2002) was an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.

Quick Facts Director of the Energy Policy Office, President ...

John Love
Director of the Energy Policy Office
In office July 16, 1973 – December 4, 1973
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Charles DiBona (National Energy Office)
Succeeded by	William Simon (Federal Energy Office)
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office August 31, 1969 – August 9, 1970
Preceded by	Buford Ellington
Succeeded by	Warren Hearnes
36th Governor of Colorado
In office January 8, 1963 – July 16, 1973
Lieutenant	Robert Knous Mark Hogan John Vanderhoof
Preceded by	Stephen McNichols
Succeeded by	John Vanderhoof
Personal details
Born	John Arthur Love (1916-11-29)November 29, 1916 near Gibson City, Illinois, U.S.
Died	January 21, 2002(2002-01-21) (aged 85) Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ann Daniels
Children	2 (including Rebecca)
Education	University of Denver (BA, LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

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John Arthur Love was born on a farm near Gibson City, Illinois, on November 29, 1916.^[1] At age five, John Love moved with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Love received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1938 and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Denver School of Law in 1941.

Love served as a U.S. Navy pilot in World War II for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Love started a law practice in Colorado Springs after the war.

John Love married Ann Daniels in 1942 and the couple had three children, Dan, Andrew and Rebecca. Rebecca grew up to serve as a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court from 1995 to 2006. Andrew Love served 37 years in the US Air Force and retired in 2004 as a Major General.

In 1962, Love defeated incumbent Colorado Governor Stephen McNichols.

In 1967, Love signed the first liberalized abortion bill in the United States into law.^[2]

In 1973, John Love resigned the governorship to become the nation's first Director of the Office of Energy Policy (nicknamed the "Energy Czar") in the administration of U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. Lieutenant Governor John D. Vanderhoof assumed the office of Governor upon Governor Love's resignation. Love resigned as Director after five months due to the political turmoil in the final days of the Nixon Administration. Historian Daniel Yergin asserts Love was fired by Richard Nixon in favor of William Simon due to the energy crisis created in October 1973 by the Arab oil embargo.^[3]

Love died in Colorado on January 21, 2002, at the age of 85.

• Energy Czar

• Lamm, Richard D. and Duane A. Smith. Pioneers and Politicians: 10 Colorado Governors in Profile. Boulder, Co.: Pruett Publishing Co., 1984.
• Love, John A. Collection. 140 c.f., 1963–1973. Denver, Co.: Colorado State Archives.
• Love, John A. Papers. 4 c.f., 1960–1974. Denver, Co.: Denver Public Library Western History Collection.
• Love, Ann. Interview / Oral History by Jean Smith and Elaine Walsh, 1975. Denver, Co.: Colorado Historical Society.
• Love, John A. Interview / Oral History by David McComb, 1974. Denver, Co.: Colorado Historical Society.
• Love, John A. Interview / Oral History by Barbara Levin and Governor Richard Lamm, 1975. Denver, Co.: Colorado Historical Society.
• Walker, Donald L. John A. Love: The Story of Colorado's Thirty-Sixth Governor. Denver, Co.: University of Colorado at Denver, 2000.