Duane Woodard

L. Duane Woodard (born January 12, 1938) is an American politician who served as the Attorney General of Colorado from 1983 to 1991. He previously served in the Colorado Senate from the 29th district from 1977 to 1980.

Early life and career L. Duane Woodard was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 12, 1938. A military brat, he was raised in Greeley, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Casper, Wyoming. Woodard joined the United States Marine Corps serving in Japan and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1959. He then attended the University of Wyoming and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. After his studies, he took a position at the Sinclair Oil Corporation. Two years later, he moved to Fort Collins to become a Deputy District Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District. In 1982, Woodard defeated Democratic candidate Gail Klapper. In 1987, Woodard switched from the Republican Party to Democratic Party citing the party's advocacy for austerity and personal conflicts with its members. Republican candidate Gale Norton defeated Woodard in the 1990 general election. While Attorney General, he chaired the National Association of Attorneys General's Environmental Control Committee.

Post-political career Woodard later served as General Counsel to his predecessor in the State Senate, Republican U.S. Senator Hank Brown.