Lola Spradley has lived a very active, dedicated life and her actions have broken many stereotypes for women. She was the first woman Speaker of the House in Colorado, and, as a Representative, she often crossed the aisle to get things done for the benefit of the people. Spradley was the oldest of seven children and raised on a wheat farm in New Raymer, Colorado. She graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1964. She then went to work for AT&T as an operator and later rose to Assistant Vice President and Division Manager for Government Affairs. She retired from AT&T in 1996 after 29 years of service. Politics was always a passion for Spradley and she began working on campaigns in the 1980s. Because of her experience and activities, she was appointed to fill a vacancy to the House of Representatives, House District 44 in 1997. She accepted and was reelected for three more terms, ending her legislative career in 2004. As a legislator, she worked hard focusing on issues involving taxes, agriculture, historical preservation, conservation, health
care, renewable energy, and water. She co-chaired Amendment 37 on renewable energy to set a 10 percent renewable energy standard for the state. When the legislature later raised this to 30 percent, she opposed this because she felt it would be too costly for customers. While she was in the House, Spradley was elected Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Leader and later Speaker; becoming the first woman in Colorado history to hold this office. She is a graduate of Regis College and graduated summa cum laude. She feels it is the responsibility of every citizen to do what they can for their community. Spradley says the war on women is a great tag line but the real “war” on women involves such issues as unfair taxes or requiring caregivers to join a union when taking care of family members, taking guns away or slandering Republican women who run for office. Lola is married to Dale Spradley who started the Spradley Auto Network. They have a combined family of four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She and Dale moved to Huerfano County to retire. She is a board member of Huerfano County Historical Society, a commissioner for the third judicial district, PEO member and member of the La Veta United Methodist church. She is a past member of the Colorado Telecommunications Commission, the Saving Colorado’s Open Spaces and Ranches Commission and the Colorado Energy Development Authority.
