Wayne Allard

Wayne Allard
Name	Wayne Allard
Caption	Official portrait, 2003
State	Colorado
Term start	January 3, 1997
Term end	January 3, 2009
Preceded	Hank Brown
Succeeded	Mark Udall
State1	Colorado
District1	4th
Term start1	January 3, 1991
Term end1	January 3, 1997
Preceded1	Hank Brown
Succeeded1	Bob Schaffer
Party	Republican
Birth date	2 December 1943
Birth place	Fort Collins, Colorado
Alma mater	Colorado State University (DVM)
Spouse	Joan Malcolm

Wayne Allard was an American politician and veterinarian who served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 1997 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented Colorado's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997. Known for his conservative fiscal principles and low-key demeanor, Allard was a consistent advocate for balanced budgets, gun rights, and states' rights.

Early life and education

He was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, and raised on a ranch near Walden. Allard earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1968. Before entering politics, he operated a successful veterinary practice in Loveland and served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991, where he was known for his work on agricultural policy.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1990, he succeeded fellow Republican Hank Brown. During his three terms, Allard served on the Agriculture Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. He was a prominent supporter of the Contract with America and co-sponsored the Private Property Rights Act. His legislative focus remained on issues important to his rural district, including water rights in the West and ranching interests.

U.S. Senate

In 1996, he was elected to the United States Senate, again succeeding the retiring Hank Brown. He served two terms, sitting on influential committees including the Appropriations Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee. A staunch fiscal conservative, he was a key proponent of the Bush tax cuts and authored the "No Child Left Behind" amendment to increase funding transparency. He honored a self-imposed term limit pledge and did not seek re-election in 2008, succeeded by Democrat Mark Udall.

Political positions

Allard maintained a consistently conservative voting record, earning high ratings from organizations like the American Conservative Union and the National Rifle Association. He was a leading advocate for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and opposed most new tax proposals. On social issues, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, supported restrictions on abortion, and opposed embryonic stem cell research. He was a strong proponent of energy development on federal lands, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Post-Senate career

After leaving the Senate, he returned to Colorado and served as a senior policy advisor at the Podesta Group, a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm. He later worked as a consultant and remained active in Republican politics, offering counsel on agricultural policy and natural resource management. He has also served on the board of the American Sheep Industry Association and participated in policy forums at institutions like The Heritage Foundation.

Personal life

He is married to Joan Malcolm, and they have two children. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys fly fishing, hunting, and skiing in Colorado. He remains a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is involved with his local church in Loveland.

Category:1943 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado Category:United States senators from Colorado Category:Colorado State University alumni Category:Colorado Republicans Category:American veterinarians