active in civic and veterans organizations, including the Lions, Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. In 1948, he was the successful Democratic candidate for District Attorney of the 7th Judicial District, and he served one term, 1949 to 1953. Sparks also served as chairman of the Democratic Party in Delta County. Following his term as district attorney, Sparks resumed practicing law in Delta. In addition, he served as county attorney for Delta County and town attorney for the town of Hotchkiss. Sparks was a leader of the Delta County bar, and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity, American Bar Association, and Colorado Bar Association. Colorado Water Conservation Board In May 1956, Governor Edwin C. Johnson appointed Sparks to fill a vacancy as an Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. He served until November 1956 and was an unsuccessful candidate for a full term. In January 1957, Sparks was appointed attorney for the Colorado Water Conservation Board. In June 1958, Sparks was appointed as the board's director. Sparks served as the board's director until retiring in April 1979. After his retirement, Sparks was a consultant on issues of water resource management and served as a member of the Upper Colorado River Commission. Continued military career In addition to his career in politics and government, Sparks remained in the military after World War II. In 1946, he was appointed as executive officer the Colorado Army National Guard's 157th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) with the rank of lieutenant colonel. As reorganized units were assigned to the RCT, Sparks was assigned to command of its 1st Battalion. In May 1950, Sparks completed the course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After completing his tour as commander of 1st Battalion, Sparks served for several years on the staff at the Colorado National Guard's state headquarters. In August 1959 he was assigned to command the 169th Field Artillery Group. Sparks was a colonel in October 1961 when his command was called to active duty as part of the U.S. response to the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Sparks served on active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until August 1962, then returned to his position with the state water conservation board. In August 1968, Sparks completed the updated Command and General Staff College course at Fort Leavenworth. He was then promoted to brigadier general