Teller Ammons holds a foundational background in law and public service, marked by a law degree from the University of Denver's Westminster Law School. He spent several years in the Colorado Senate before serving as Denver's city attorney. Ammons' tenure as Governor of Colorado was characterized by significant infrastructure projects, environmental initiatives, and public employment programs, despite notable controversies. During World War I and World War II, he served in the United States Army, culminating in a leadership role in the military government of Guam. Post-military, he practiced law in Denver until his retirement.

Teller Ammons presents a complex political identity, blending progressive infrastructure initiatives with controversial criminal justice decisions. His establishment of the State Water Conservation Board and the State Game and Fish Department indicates a forward-thinking approach to environmental and natural resources, yet his refusal to intervene in the execution of Joe Arridy highlights a rigid stance on criminal justice. Ammons's tenure also saw significant employment programs, yet it was marred by a scandal involving unauthorized surveillance, suggesting a calculated yet ethically ambiguous governance style.