Kenneth Lane graduated in 1976 with a gold cord. He received a BA degree in Political Science in 1980 from the University of Denver, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Lane attended Ohio State University's College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1983.

Lane served as a legislative assistant for Ben Nighthorse Campbell in Washington, D.C. He also served as the Congressman's Legislative Counselor/Director from January 1989 to April 1990, then becoming the Congressman's Chief of Staff for the D.C. office and three offices in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. In 1999, Lane accepted a position as Deputy Attorney General, Policy and Governmental Affairs in the Colorado Office of the Attorney General, Ken Salazar.