Former Southwest Colorado lawmaker Robert E. DeNier died Wednesday. He was 88.

DeNier, a Republican, served three terms in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1977 to 1982 and one term in the Colorado Senate from 1987 to 1990, according to The Durango Herald. For eight years, DeNier was on the powerful Joint Budget Committee – two years as chairman and three as vice-chairman. DeNier also served as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 1979 to 1982, and of the Senate’s Appropriations Committee from 1988 to 1990.