Alan Wayne Allard is an American veterinarian and politician who served as a United States Representative (1991–1997) and United States Senator (1997–2009) from Colorado, as well as previously a Colorado State Senator (1983–1991). A member of the Republican Party, he did not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2008. In February 2009, he began work as a lobbyist at The Livingston Group, a Washington, D.C.-based government relations consulting firm.

The 2008 United States Senate election in Colorado was held November 4, 2008. The primary elections were held August 12, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wayne Allard decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Mark Udall won the open seat, making this the first time a Democrat won this seat since 1972, and that Democrats held both Senate seats since 1979.