Major General Laura Clellan, the Adjutant General of Colorado and Executive Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is set to retire, with an official ceremony on October 18, as announced by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Clellan, who has had a distinguished military career spanning over three decades, took over her current role in August 2020, following an appointment in June of that year. Her tenure saw the Colorado National Guard navigate a myriad of crises, including natural disasters and a pandemic, culminating in a stewardship that, according to Governor Polis, brought dignity and support to Colorado's communities during those challenging times.
In a statement, Governor Polis expressed his deep gratitude for General Clellan’s dedicated service, "I extend my, and the State of Colorado’s, sincere gratitude and congratulations to Major General Laura Clellan on her retirement and thank her for her many years of dedicated service to the state of Colorado, leadership of Colorado’s National Guard, and diligent efforts to support Colorado’s brave service members and military families," Polis said, as per Colorado Governor's Office. He emphasized the difference made by General Clellan's service, tying her work directly to the well-being of military and veteran families throughout Colorado.
The career of General Clellan, commissioned as a Military Police Officer into the U.S. Army in 1989, includes five operational deployments to various regions like Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Hungary, and Afghanistan. Her military accolades are noteworthy, including decorations such as the Legion of Merit with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, details of which can be found in her National Guard biography.
Reflecting on her tenure, General Clellan has stated, "Serving as the Adjutant General of Colorado has been the greatest honor of my career, a privilege beyond words, and the highlight of my time in uniform." According to the Colorado Governor's Office, Clellan heralded her role in leading the Soldiers and Airmen of the Colorado National Guard, the state employees of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol, as "nothing short of extraordinary." She attributes the organization’s accomplishments to the unwavering commitment to service by its members.
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