Water law

Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads

Annie Carlozzi — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:13:35 +0000

Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads Annie Carlozzi Tue, 06/17/2025 - 10:13

Jacob Lehrman

On Thursday, June 5^th and Friday, June 6^th, the Getches-Wilkson Center and the Water & Tribes Initiative hosted the 45^th Annual Colorado Law Conference on Natural Resources. As efforts to finalize the post-2026 Interim Guidelines ramp up, the aptly titled Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads gathered attorneys, government officials, tribal leaders, NGO representatives, students, filmmakers, and academics to reflect on the successes and failures of the past to facilitate a discussion of how to better manage the Colorado River in the future.

Day 1 kicked off with inspiring tales of the rich history and culture of the Colorado River by author Craig Childs and professor Patty Limerick. Their impressive storytelling set the mood for the rest of the conference by underscoring the immense value of this natural resource and the importance of ensuring a more sustainable future for the river and the people who rely on it. Soon after, a panel of experts reviewed the legal principles and agreements that shaped the last set of rules for managing the Colorado River. Paired with insightful questions from the audience, the result was a truly interactive and stimulating experience.

The following presentations, which centered on the role of agriculture in shaping the region’s water budget, laid out the harsh reality that without meaningful change there is not enough water available to meet everyone’s needs. Brian Richter’s segment, Reconciling the Math of Agricultural Water Use, provided a hard-hitting overview of the numbers that go into agricultural water consumption, a perspective that is ever so vital in setting the course for future management guidelines. Day 1 came to a close with a speech by Roger Fragua from the Flower Hill Institute that highlighted the need for cooperation and compassion, instilling a sense of purpose and commonality that perfectly teed up a lovely happy hour reception.

Day 2 began with an update from tribal leaders and representatives on their current situations and concerns for the future. For much of our history, tribal voices have been excluded from the decision-making process, so it was deeply impactful to hear their perspectives shared with clarity, strength, and vision. Next on the agenda was a film screening of What the River Knows that not only shined a light on the environmental and cultural significance of Glen Canyon, but it gave the audience an opportunity to appreciate the raw beauty of the region through stunning cinematography and documentation. Rounding out day 2, presentations from state and federal officials uncovered the competing interests of the varied stakeholders that rely on the Colorado River. Despite some disagreements, the overarching theme of cooperation and understanding gave way to a sense of hope that an equitable agreement is within reach.

Bringing the conference to a close was a discussion on the long-term goals and aspirations for successful management of the Colorado River. Turning hindsight into foresight, this panel reflected one last time on where we came from and how those lessons of the past can empower us to achieve a brighter future and ensure the health of the Colorado River for generations to come.

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June 5th and 6th: 2025 Conference on the Colorado River

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 17:46:05 +0000

June 5th and 6th: 2025 Conference on the Colorado River Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 06/07/2025 - 11:46

The Getches-Wilkinson Center and Water & Tribes Initiative will be co-convening the 2025 Conference on the Colorado River on Thurs, June 5th and Fri, June 6th at the Wolf Law Building in Boulder, CO.

Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads

Once again, the Colorado River is at a crossroads, as the efforts to finalize the post-2026 rules push up squarely against longstanding conflicts, legal interpretations, and notions of equity and inclusivity. Complicating progress is the narrow focus on reservoir operating rules, and the tradition of pushing the thorniest issues to future discussions in largely undetermined forums and unknown schedules. In this event, we assess the current state of progress, focusing specifically on the degree to which emerging steps forward incorporate the lessons learned through past experiences.

We hope you join us for what will be sure to be an engaging 2-day conference bringing together thought leaders from across the Colorado Basin.

Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th

8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom

Breakfast, Snack and Lunch provided daily
Attendee reception provided on Thurs, June 5th

15 Colorado CLE general credits have been approved for the conference.

Conference Recording

Conference Agenda

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

Session 1: Modern Challenges Through a Historical Lens. The Colorado River community is now laser focused on the need to adopt new operating rules by the summer of 2026. At this important inflection point in the basin, it is useful to look back, reflect on lessons learned, and turn hindsight into foresight to ensure that the actions we take now are appropriate for the ever-evolving challenges we face in the basin. The session will start by focusing on lessons learned by some of the basin’s first inhabitants: the Ancient Puebloans. It will then review the history of subsequent human settlement in the basin, exploring the legal and institutional principles that shape current opportunities and constraints to achieving a more sustainable future relationship between the people and the river. The discussion concludes with a review of the agreements expiring at the end of 2026: the Interim Guidelines, Minute 319 and the DCPs (drought contingency plans). Each of these frameworks have had successful elements, but each have had shortcomings. This interactive panel will highlight lessons learned, procedurally and substantively, identified by a number of people involved in those decision-making processes.

Session 2: The Aridification of Agriculture. The contributions of agriculture to the socioeconomic fabric of the basin are significant, but the mathematic reality is that it’s likely impossible to balance the regional water budget without major reductions in agricultural water consumption. This session frames the current role of agriculture in shaping the region’s water budget, highlights the practical challenge of funding the inevitable transition, and identifies some on-the-ground pathways for moving forward to a more sustainable future.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Session 3: Updates from the Tribes. Thirty tribes in the basin have strong interests (and legal rights) in how Colorado River management evolves. What are some of the most pressing concerns and demands?

Session 4: Rethinking Infrastructure: Glen Canyon Dam/Lake Powell. “What the River Knows” is a new film exploring how declining Lake Powell levels have resurfaced many environmental and cultural resources in and around Glen Canyon, and what opportunities and imperatives that might suggest for the future of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. This is the first “pre-screening” of the film, followed by a panel discussion.

Session 5: Insights from the Basin States. In the spirit of moving from "hindsight to foresight" and respecting that delicate ongoing negotiations preclude the states from publicly discussing positions in any detail, the panel will provide only a brief "status update" on interstate negotiations and then transition into the primary focus on lessons/insights for moving the basin forward in coming years where water scarcity and climate uncertainty are likely to escalate further. This discussion, reliant heavily on audience questions, will be informed by discussions earlier in the event.

Session 6: Looking Beyond the Rule-Making. While the crafting of new reservoir operational rules is the current focus of most attention and debate, thinking longer-term, the basin has several, more fundamental, issues that will demand thoughtful discussion and resolution, a longer-term challenge that will necessitate cultivating new ideas and leadership. In the spirit of turning hindsight into foresight, how do we move past the latest exercise in incremental, crisis management to achieve a healthy, just, and sustainable Colorado River?

Confirmed speakers' bios and head shots can be found HERE.

Anne Castle, Getches-Wilkinson Center
Bidtah Becker, Navajo Nation
Bill Hasencamp, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Brad Udall, Colorado State University
Brian Richter, Sustainable Waters
President Carlene Yellowhair, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
Celene Hawkins, The Nature Conservancy
Chris Winter, Getches-Wilkinson Center
Chuck Cullom, Upper Colorado River Commission
Colby Pellegrino, Southern Nevada Water Authority
Craig Childs, Author
Daniel Mooney, Colorado State University
Elizabeth Koebele, University of Nevada
Eric Balken, Glen Canyon Institute
Eric Kuhn, Author
Jason Hauter, Attorney for Gila River Indian Community
Jason Robison, University of Wyoming College of Law
Jay Weiner, Attorney for the Quechan Tribe
Jennifer Pitt, Audubon
Jim Lochhead, Consultant
John Fleck, University of New Mexico
John Weisheit, Living Rivers
Joseph "Brophy" Toledo, Flower Hill Institute
Kathryn Sorenson, Kyl Center for Water Policy
Lorelei Cloud, Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Michael Connor, Consultant
Patty Limerick, University of Colorado
Peter Culp, Culp & Kelly, LLP
Peter Ortego, Acadian Desert Consulting
Roger Fragua, Flower Hill Institute
Scott Cameron, U.S. Department of the Interior
Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community
Tahlia Bear, Western Resource Advocates
Terri Bissonette, Tribal Leadership Programs, NWF/WTI

Thank you to our 2025 Conference Partners:
Walton Family Foundation
Conscience Bay Company
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLP

Water & Tribes Initiative 2025 Partners

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Essential Pillars for the Post-2026 Colorado River Guidelines

Annie Carlozzi — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:31:14 +0000

Essential Pillars for the Post-2026 Colorado River Guidelines Annie Carlozzi Fri, 04/25/2025 - 09:31

Anne Castle , John Fleck , Eric Kuhn , Jack Schmidt , Kathryn Sorensen , Katherine Tara

The process for determining the operating rules for the Colorado River system that will take effect in 2027 is in full swing. While various alternative operating regimes have been proposed, no preferred or consensus alternative has yet emerged. As a group of experienced Colorado River colleagues without affiliation to any Basin State, Tribe, or interested stakeholder, we submit that there are fundamental principles that should form the basis of the ultimate Record of Decision defining management of the Colorado River for the future. We propose the following essential pillars for inclusion in the Post-2026 Guidelines.

Read the full paper here.

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Spring Break on the Colorado Plateau

Annie Carlozzi — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:40:34 +0000

Spring Break on the Colorado Plateau Annie Carlozzi Mon, 04/21/2025 - 18:40

Obie Johnson

The Colorado Plateau had thirteen additional spring visitors this year. More conspicuous in our convoy of rental cars than the migratory geese that loudly pronounce spring’s arrival, at times more inebriated than the craftiest fermenters of the berries on the now-blooming Utah Junipers, and with a palpable conviction to protect public lands, our group of thirteen from the Natural Resources Law Seminar enjoyed an incredible spring break on the Plateau. Because of the pure enjoyment I had, I’m happy to briefly reflect on what I’ve drawn from the experience in this blog post. I had never particularly enjoyed long road trips, probably thanks to one-too-many car rides with my family to youth soccer tournaments, but my reservations were erased by some combination of the spectacular landscapes, even more spectacular company, and inspiring conversations with stakeholders particularly impacted by the Plateau’s environmental issues. You can imagine a Floridian’s amazement at the Plateau’s Martian landscapes.

These stakeholders and underlying environmental issues are at the roots of our Seminar. We spent the early months of the semester teaching our fellow classmates about these issues—including overgrazing, mining, and water scarcity, among others in a seemingly inexhaustible list—with the hopefully not-too-frequent corrections of our professors, Mark Squillace and Chris Winter. Each of these topic matters were selected with the trip in mind so that we could speak constructively during meetings with the impacted groups on the plateau. Well, some of the groups; despite our best efforts, we couldn’t quite speak with the wildlife, though I’m sure some of us would have liked to tell the ducks and coyotes to quiet down at 4 or 5am. Nor could we speak to the endangered California Condor that sat pensively on the Navajo Bridge’s railings, as if to take in the great views of the Grand Canyon that its species was so nearly deprived of.

With the trip in the rearview mirror, I’d like to underscore a few challenges in our current management of public lands that I am impassioned to work through as a Wyss Scholar. Within the broad category of the struggle between development and the protection of environmental and cultural resources, there is a critical need to prioritize tribal sovereignty in public lands management. For many in our group, the highlight of the trip was the opportunity to speak to various Navajo and Hopi people about the issues of past and future development. Tribal nations continue to feel the impacts of development that proceeds without their control, whether that be groundwater pollution from uranium or coal mines for which the Navajo and Hopi nations received below-market royalties or efforts to strip protections for Bears Ears National Monument. In this sense, environmental law seems inseparable from human rights law. Take the Hopi people, for example, who emerged from the Grand Canyon and consider it the heart to which the Colorado River pumps life. Now restricted to a reservation that does not include the Grand Canyon (that these tribes have been removed from much of their ancestral lands underscores the inseparability of environmental and human rights law), do you think non-tribal entities adequately respected Hopi sovereignty when nearly damming the Grand Canyon in the 1960s? When precluding them and other tribes from decision-making authority during the upper and lower basin negotiations for Colorado River allocations? Mere consultation is insufficient, lest the process turn into a procedural box-checking exercise for the Government without any teeth to shape the outcome.

Now, not only are market forces continuing to drive demand for renewable energy infrastructure and the mining of critical minerals on public lands, but the Trump administration is taking every step to increase fossil fuel extraction. And while the former can be (but is not always) justified with prudent siting, deference to tribal sovereignty, and a need to combat climate change, the latter is premised on a faux “energy emergency.” Either way, development seems to be on an upward trajectory, which makes it even more concerning that this administration has proposed to, among many other things (see Secretarial Order No. 3418), rescind the Public Lands Rule and various Endangered Species Act protections. Because of these trends, our group was even more thankful to hear from leaders at the forefront of protecting our public lands, such as Neal Clark and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

I’ve become more thoughtful about the balance between recreation and preservation of the West since our trip. Perhaps it hit me on the trail to Horseshoe Bend, a few miles downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, which felt more like an obstacle course as we navigated a sea of people. Is the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint diminished by the constant flow of tourists who enjoy easy access from the adjacent parking lot? Does so formulaically regulating entry detract from the natural experience? Probably, but that presupposes that there still existed a natural experience to detract from, which is unlikely given the Glen Canyon Dam’s similarly formulaic regulation of the Colorado River’s flow through the sandstone walls of Horseshoe Bend. Either way, this raises an important consideration in public lands management to which there is no universally correct answer: how do we balance recreation and accessibility with the preservation of wild areas? There is an inherent tension here: increased access to scenic areas stokes conservation-mindedness yet may impair or degrade the very areas people leave with a deeper respect for. This is why The Access Fund’s work, for example, is so important; work at the margins like maintaining a trail can prevent the formation of social trails that trample wildlife, biotic crust, and increase erosion. We enjoyed a great hike in Indian Creek with some of their trail workers, learning about all of the work that is taken for granted to funnel hikers and climbers away from social trails. The impact of this work despite its granularity makes you wonder what our environmental agencies could do if their collective budgets weren’t being cut from ~$90 billion to ~$30 billion over the next decade by this Congress! If I were writing the checks, I’d certainly place my faith in people like Lena Pace, superintendent for Arches and Canyonlands national parks, who remarkably had answers for even our most incisive questions despite being just one year into her superintendency.

Finally, I’d like to encourage others to take this course. If we were to round up any student on the fence about pursuing environmental law, or those inclined to practice on the side of environmental law that will earn more in salary than in protection of the environment, and put them on this trip, I can’t help but think we’d return with more allies in preserving public lands. In that vein, thank you to the Getches-Wilkinson Center and the school for making possible such an unforgettable experience, thank you to Chris and Mark for such thoughtful and surprisingly smooth planning (apart from the many U-turns made), and thank you to the many stakeholders we spoke with throughout the trip for their insights!

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Colorado Plateau Trip Reflections

Annie Carlozzi — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:24:43 +0000

Colorado Plateau Trip Reflections Annie Carlozzi Mon, 04/21/2025 - 18:24

Andrea Shipton

In March, I had the pleasure of spending a week on the Colorado Plateau with fellow students and professors from the Advanced Natural Resources Law Seminar. The Colorado Plateau – a heart-shaped desert region encompassing portions of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Arizona – is home to some of the most unique landscapes and wildlife in the entire nation. In the fall of 2023, I took my first visit to the Plateau for a canyoneering trip and was immediately hooked. From the hoodoos of Goblin Valley State Park to the deep canyon walls of Dead Horse State Park to the iconic arches of Arches National Park, I loved traversing the region’s slickrock trails to explore red-rock features that absolutely blew my east-coast mind.

While the Colorado Plateau is certainly beautiful, it also faces many of the nation’s greatest natural resources challenges. These issues – specifically, how to manage these landscapes amidst climate change and increases in public popularity – are what encouraged me to study natural resources law in the first place. They’re what drew me to take this seminar and what drew me to apply for the Wyss Scholars Program, since I hope to devote my career to learning about and addressing these issues. Especially at a time where executive orders are opening up public lands for logging, the future of National Monuments remains unclear, and states like Utah are jockeying to claim ownership of “unappropriated” federal lands, these landscapes need scientists, scholars, lawyers and other passionate folks to advocate for their protection.

On the seminar trip, our class met with many of these local advocates of the Colorado Plateau. One of my favorite conversations of the whole trip happened on day one, when we met with Lena Pace, Superintendent of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments. She spoke of the delicate balance between managing Parks for the twin purposes of public recreation and conservation, as well as preserving the “wilderness feel” while also keeping recreators safe. She pointed to tools like timed-entry permit systems to control visitation to popular areas, and keeping fees at a price that helps fund the parks but doesn’t erect barriers to use. I was also struck by many of our conversations with the Hopi, and the unique challenges of being a nation completely surrounded by another nation (Navajo Nation), affected by severe poverty, and facing serious issues regarding reliable water quality and supply. I really enjoyed getting to meet Vernon Masayesva of the Coyote Clan, a former Tribal Chairman and Founder of the Black Mesa Trust, who played a gigantic role in shutting down power plants and mines that were polluting and drying up Hopi waters.

I really enjoyed getting to personally experience the landscapes I’ve learned so much about in the classroom. After three nights spent inside Bear’s Ears National Monument, I just can’t fathom a world where these lands cease to be protected by the Antiquities Act or are otherwise opened up to development. One of my favorite ways to explore new landscapes is through trail running, and my sunrise trail runs through the Indian Creek portion of Bears Ears, where I watched rock cliffs and spires light up in fiery red blazes, is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. Hiking to panels of petroglyphs, ancient granaries, and other archaeological sites also really cemented the importance of large-scale protection of these landscapes for cultural reasons. I enjoyed getting to spend an afternoon rock climbing in this beautiful region too – learning how to crack climb from a law school professor is an opportunity I never could have imagined pre-law school, especially in such a special place.

I am so grateful to everyone who made this trip possible – from the Getches-Wilkinson Center, to Professors Chris Winter and Mark Squillace, to the people we met with on the Plateau, to donors, and to my fellow classmates who made this trip so enjoyable. This trip has truly stoked the fire in me to continue fighting for the lands, waters, and Tribes of the Colorado Plateau.

I’ll conclude with one of my favorite pre-seminar trip anecdotes about the Plateau: in November of 2023, during thanksgiving break, I ran the Dead Horse Ultra 30K in Moab. About half a mile into the race, as I trudged up a steep section of dirt road, I heard someone say my name – I looked to my right, and there was Mariah Bowman, Colorado Law’s 2024-25 Wyss Scholar. Unbeknownst to each other, we had signed up for the same distance of the same race, six hours away from Boulder, and before either of us had been named Wyss Scholars. Looking back, I’m reminded of the importance of these random moments of human connection that I’ve gotten to experience as a law student at Colorado Law. From running into classmates on the trails, to climbing 14ers with them, to skiing before class with them, I’m so lucky to live in a place where I can immerse myself in my law school studies, in meaningful adventures on public lands, and perhaps most importantly – study the intersection of the two. I’m so grateful for the Wyss Foundation for supporting me as I pursue public lands law, and I’m looking forward to more of these moments on the trail that remind me why public lands are so worth fighting for.

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GWC Welcomes New Water Law Fellow

Annie Carlozzi — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:41:50 +0000

GWC Welcomes New Water Law Fellow Annie Carlozzi Mon, 03/31/2025 - 12:41

Colorado Law is ranked seventh in the nation for environmental law with the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment (GWC) advancing its commitment to educating young leaders through the Water Law Fellows Program. Now in its fourth year, the program addresses the rising demand for thoughtful policy initiatives at all levels of government by training the next generation of outstanding leaders in sustainable water management, water law, and policy.

With the accelerated need to address extraordinary circumstances in an unprecedented era, Colorado Law and the GWC are uniquely situated as a premier pipeline of diverse future leaders in environmental and natural resources matters.

The Water Law Fellows Program is not just an educational experience — it’s a career accelerator. This intensive multidisciplinary program equips Fellows with the skills and knowledge to produce high-quality work that influences law reform in the public interest, setting them up for successful careers in environmental law and policy.

Fellows conduct reform-oriented research on the most pressing issues in their field and interact with public and private sector leaders to inform policymaking, all while under the mentorship of leading researchers. Colorado Law and the GWC are known for distinguished faculty, a long record of public service, an extraordinary body of research and an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes unique on-the-ground learning.

The Getches-Wilkinson Center is thrilled to announce that Daniel Anderson will be joining the team as a Water Law Fellow in August 2025. Daniel received a B.A. in Theological and Reconciliation Studies from Seattle Pacific University and will receive a J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in May 2025. Before law school, Daniel served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Morocco and worked as a housing navigator for veterans and people exiting incarceration.

In law school, Daniel researched the interstices between instream flow rights, wildlife law, American Indian water rights, and abandoned hardrock mines cleanup. He plans to continue exploring these same interests as a Water Law Fellow alongside the GWC staff and partners. He gained further experience with western water law working for Judge Todd Taylor, Water Judge for Division One, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office’s Natural Resource & Environment Section, and the City Attorney’s Office for the City of Boulder. He is drawn to the task of researching and advocating for western water law reform due to his conviction that water management is an environmental justice issue as well as his personal connection to clean, flowing water as an angler.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys fly fishing, rock climbing, playing complicated board games, and backpacking in the Rockies with his wife Samantha and chaotic dog, Decker.

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Celeste Baro (Colorado Law '27) Named 2025 David Harrison Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellow

Annie Carlozzi — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 20:41:09 +0000

Celeste Baro (Colorado Law '27) Named 2025 David Harrison Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellow Annie Carlozzi Sat, 03/29/2025 - 14:41

University of Colorado Law School student Celeste Baro ('27) is this year’s David Harrison Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy Fellow. The Fellowship, initiated in 2010 by partners of the law firm of Moses, Wittemyer, Harrison and Woodruff, P.C. in honor David L. Harrison (Law ‘71), is awarded each year to a Colorado Law student on the basis of academic performance, commitment to public service, and interest in the study of water and energy law and policy. To the extent practicable, each Harrison Fellow will focus on a specific project where the partner organization is advancing innovative solutions for sustainable management of water or related energy resources outside the United States.

Celeste is a first-year law student from Miami, FL, with a passion for sustainability and marine conservation. Holding both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Pre-Law and a Master’s in International Business from the University of Florida, Celeste combines her academic expertise with a deep-rooted commitment to environmental protection. Raised surrounded by the waters of Miami, she has always felt a strong connection to the environment, which has driven her to pursue a career in environmental law. Through the Harrison Fellowship, Celeste looks forward to advancing her legal expertise in the environmental sector, particularly in marine conservation efforts, and using her knowledge to create meaningful change in preserving natural resources for future generations.

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The Legal Effect of Executive Orders - Professor Panel March 18th

Annie Carlozzi — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:07:19 +0000

The Legal Effect of Executive Orders - Professor Panel March 18th Annie Carlozzi Mon, 03/03/2025 - 14:07

A Colorado Law Student Event

Presented by: The Byron White Center, The Getches-Wilkinson Center, and the American Constitution Society

Panelists: Professor Daria Roithmayr, BWC Director Deep Gulasekaram, and GWC Director Chris Winter

Tuesday, March 18th 12-12:50pm in Room 207

Join us for a panel discussion regarding the slurry of executive orders that Trump has passed over the past month that he has been in office, impacting several (if not all) areas of law. This panel's purpose is to discuss each of the executive orders, how they compare to those in previous administrations, and the extend of the orders' legal impact. Lunch will be provided, so please arrive early to grab your food and a seat!

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Now Hiring! Spring AND Summer Student Research Assistants

Annie Carlozzi — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:28:40 +0000

Now Hiring! Spring AND Summer Student Research Assistants Annie Carlozzi Mon, 02/03/2025 - 09:28

The Getches-Wilkinson Center (GWC) is seeking Colorado Law students interested in natural resources, energy, and environmental law to serve as the GWC Summer Research Assistant. The Spring and Summer Research Assistants will work closely with the GWC staff, including the Executive Director and GWC Senior Water Fellow who will help direct the student’s research in the areas of water law, public lands, climate change, and natural resources as applied to the American west.

The Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting research and producing written content for the GWC. Potential projects include work on ongoing research, current development in management and conservation for federal public lands, legislative reforms to conservation laws, and assisting interested partners with the upcoming Colorado River interim guidelines renegotiations.

Position Details
This is a part-time position for either the spring or summer and may continue into the fall semester pending funding availability. Work hours are flexible. Candidates should state their desired spring or summer position as well as optimum hours in their cover letter. This position is paid at a rate of $20.00 USD per hour.

University of Colorado Law Students interested in natural resources, energy, and environmental law are eligible to apply. Work-study is preferred. Interested students should apply for work-study funding. Work-study information is available here: /studentemployment/work-study

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early application encouraged.

Application Instructions
To apply, send the following application materials:
Resume
Cover Letter
Transcript
Writing Sample
by email to Annie Carlozzi, GWC Assistant Director, at annie.carlozzi@colorado.edu.

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Now Hiring! GWC Water Law Fellow

Annie Carlozzi — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 23:49:03 +0000

Now Hiring! GWC Water Law Fellow Annie Carlozzi Tue, 01/21/2025 - 16:49

Getches-Wilkinson Center Water Law Fellows Position Announcement

The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment (GWC) at the University of Colorado Law School is seeking an outstanding — early career — attorney to serve as the next GWC Water Law Fellow. The Fellow will work on the most pressing water law reform issues of the day under the guidance of the GWC and law school faculty and in partnership with leaders from the non-profit, government, and private sectors.

The overarching objective of the Water Law Fellows Program is to create a matchless educational and mentoring experience that will prepare the Fellows to become leaders in the field. The intensive program will immerse the Fellow in the real-world challenges of water law and policy. During the program, the Fellow will be actively engaged in water law reform in the public interest and will hone their leadership, communication, advocacy, and research skills.

The Fellow will work with GWC faculty and staff, and with partner organizations on a wide array of emerging issues. This work may be done at every level — federal, state, tribal, county, city, and international — and could include developing proposed legislation/regulations, policy implementation, and filing amicus briefs. Recent projects have focused on Tribal water rights in the Colorado River basin, proposals for reforms to Colorado water law, proposals for reform of the Wild and Scenic River Act, state development of dredge and fill programs following the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, and access to EPA funding for water infrastructure programs.

The Fellow’s research agenda will be developed collaboratively with the support and supervision of GWC staff.

Fellows will be expected to draft at least one paper for publication in the first year and to assist with organizing conferences, workshops, public education events, and other GWC events. Fellows may also publish white papers and law reform recommendations; attend conferences on water-related topics; perhaps offer testimony at hearings and make public addresses; draft media content on emerging issues; and work on projects that develop in-depth expertise in water law.

Housed in the GWC at Colorado Law, the Fellow will have full access to the extraordinary resources and institutional support of the Law School. To encourage multi-disciplinary solutions, the Fellow will be able to draw on expertise in departments across the University and nearby national laboratories. Under the guidance of the GWC, the Fellow will work with experts in NGOs, government, and the private sector.

Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment

The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment advances the truly sustainable management and conservation of natural resources, with a focus on the American West, by:

Influencing natural resources law and policy, including issues of water, land, climate change, and the rights of Tribes and Indigenous Peoples; and

Educating, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of committed lawyers and advocates devoted to justice and equity.

Major programs and initiatives focus on natural resources, water and public lands issues in Colorado and the West; Tribal communities and environmental justice; climate change law and policy; and electricity regulation and energy policy. The name comes from the contributions of two iconic figures in the law school’s environmental law history, David Getches and Charles Wilkinson.

Learn more about Colorado Law

Terms, Salary, and Benefits

Fellowship terms

Start Date: The start date is flexible, with the Fellow able to begin anytime between March 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025.
Duration: This is a one-year appointment, with the option to extend for a second year upon mutual agreement between GWC and the Fellow.
Salary: $70,000 per year.
Additional Support: Includes a budget for travel and training.
Location: The position is based in Boulder, Colorado. The Fellow will be expected to maintain a regular presence at the GWC offices at the University of Colorado Law School, with some remote work allowed.

Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical and dental healthcare coverage, and an ECO (transit) Pass. The �鶹��Ѱ�� is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment.
Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

What we require

J.D.
One year of relevant professional experience after graduation from law school or a demonstrated commitment to water-related issues during law school. Applicants completing a judicial clerkship are encouraged to apply.
Excellent research and writing skills.

What we would like you to have

Strong academic record.
Demonstrated experience or background in water law or related field.
Demonstrated experience in environmental research.
Commitment to serving diverse and underrepresented communities.
Proven track record of working well as a team member.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit the following materials to annie.carlozzi@colorado.edu for full consideration:

A professional resume (two pages maximum).
A cover letter that specifically addresses how your interest in the Fellows program and how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position.
Law school transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable).
A writing sample of not more than 10 pages.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Water Law Fellowship is open to individuals regardless of race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or gender. We encourage individuals from groups historically underrepresented in environmental conservation to apply.

Contact Information
For further information, please feel free to contact GWC Assistant Director, Annie Carlozzi at annie.carlozzi@colorado.edu or 303-492-1286.

Download GWC Water Law Fellow Position Announcement

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