Student Opportunities

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. �� 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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Colorado Law Names Two Wyss Scholars for 2025-2026

Annie Carlozzi — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:03:33 +0000

Colorado Law Names Two Wyss Scholars for 2025-2026 Annie Carlozzi Mon, 03/31/2025 - 17:03

University of Colorado Law School students Obie Johnson (’25) and Andrea Shipton (’25) have been named the 2025-2026 Colorado Law Wyss Scholars in U.S. Lands Conservation. The Wyss Scholars Program, funded by the Wyss Foundation, is awarded to two Colorado Law students each year, supports graduate-level education for promising leaders in United States land conservation. Recipients receive generous financial assistance to cover the full cost of one year of law school, as well as funds for internship opportunities, research assistance, and postgraduate support. Wyss Scholars learn the latest in conservation law and policy and apply that knowledge in careers at land management agencies and nonprofit conservation groups.

Obie Johnson’s interest in public land conservation derives from his childhood along the Gulf Coast of Florida, which instilled in him not just a deep respect for nature but also a bitterness toward humankind’s harmful treatment of it. After moving to Colorado in 2017 for college, these values quickly extended to our public lands through his enjoyment of rock climbing, birding, admiring the very different geology from Florida, and simply listening to the sound of the creeks go by. These experiences combine to impassion Obie to protect every cog and wheel of our public lands.

Since beginning at Colorado Law in 2023, Obie’s guiding principle has been to involve himself as much as possible in the environmental law sphere. This began with research work for the Getches-Wilkinson Center in the Fall of his 1L year and has continued through membership in the Environmental Law Journal, Natural Resources Clinic, Environmental Law Society, and the Colorado Law Animal Legal Defense Fund. Obie’s career goals mirror his work experience with the Center for Biological Diversity and his upcoming summer internship with Earthjustice’s Florida Regional Office; he wants to spend his days litigating to protect the environment as well as writing to advocate for more fundamental reform of our often-inadequate environmental statutes.

Andrea Shipton became interested in public land conservation due to enriching outdoor and conservation experiences as a child, teenager, and young adult in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York. From living alone in a mountaintop cabin and working as a summit steward to interning with the Adirondack Council, the largest environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Park, she quickly became passionate about conserving wildlife and outdoor recreation spaces. As she pursued her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies at Hamilton College, I became fascinated by the unique management structure of the Adirondacks–the interspersing of private and public lands, the constitutionally-protected state forest preserve, and the jigsaw puzzle of land classifications determining allowable usage on each tract. Fascinated by this structure and driven by a desire to help protect such landscapes, Shipton decided to pursue law school and study natural resources law—but not before taking a gap year to work (among other jobs) as a ski instructor at Winter Park and a conservation associate at Resource Central, a Boulder-based sustainability nonprofit.

In law school, Shipton has had the opportunity to intern with two federal agencies (the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency) which have granted her key, up-close exposure to some of the nation’s most important environmental laws and conservation regulations. She has also worked as a research assistant for Professor Nadav Orian Peer, where she investigated different ways organizations participate in “climate washing” (making misleading or incorrect claims about the climate benefits of one’s actions) and potential theories of liability for holding organizations responsible.

Outside of her studies, Shipton is the President of the Adventure Club, the Vice President of the Environmental Law Society, and the incoming Managing Editor of the Colorado Environmental Law Journal. She spends nearly all of her free time on public lands, whether that’s running on Boulder’s incredible trail network, camping in Colorado’s state parks on summer weekends, skinning up mountains at sunrise, or competing in skimo and trail races. She is beyond excited to be returning to the environmental nonprofit world this summer as a law clerk in Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain Office. After law school, she plans to pursue a career in public interest natural resources law in the Mountain West. She hope to help protect public lands while also promoting access to these spaces, fostering resiliency amidst the climate crisis, and amplifying historically ignored voices in the conservation conversation.

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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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2025/26 Natural Resource and American Indian Law Course Preview

Annie Carlozzi — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:04:47 +0000

2025/26 Natural Resource and American Indian Law Course Preview Annie Carlozzi Sun, 03/09/2025 - 16:04

The natural resource and American Indian Law faculty have scheduled a meeting at noon on Tuesday, March 11 to share with you information about the courses that our faculty will be offering in these fields during the 2025-2026 academic year. We will meet in room 207. Lunch will be provided. Please join us.

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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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GWC Scholarships and Fellowships Application Deadline Friday, Jan 17

Annie Carlozzi — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:29:31 +0000

GWC Scholarships and Fellowships Application Deadline Friday, Jan 17 Annie Carlozzi Mon, 01/06/2025 - 11:29

GWC is accepting applications for Summer 2025 and Academic Year 25/26 Scholarships and Fellowships in Natural Resources Law.

The deadline to apply is Friday, January 17, 2025.

Opportunities include:

The Wyss Scholars Program for U.S. Lands Conservation

The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to land conservation in the American West. The Wyss Scholars Program seeks to identify and nurture a new generation of leaders on western land conservation issues by providing financial support to students who are committed to careers focused on western conservation.

Two Wyss Scholars will be selected each year on the basis of leadership potential, commitment to furthering land conservation in the American West, commitment to pursuing a career in nonprofit or public sector conservation, financial need, and academic strength. While experience living or working in the West is preferred, all students interested in western lands and sustainability issues are encouraged to apply.

The Harrison Fellowship in International Water Law

The Innovations in Water and Energy Law & Policy 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.

Conscience Bay Company Western Water Policy Fellowship

The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment (GWC) at the University of Colorado Law School is seeking an outstanding current 2L (or rising 3L) as the next Conscience Bay Company Western Water Policy Fellow. Fellows will work on the most pressing water law reform issues of the day under the guidance of the GWC and in partnership with leaders from the non-profit, government, and private sectors.

The Charles N. Woodruff Memorial Scholarship - Admissions office will announce the application process in Spring 2025.

A recording of the October Fellowship and Scholarship Information Event event can be found here. Current scholars and fellowships shared their experiences and advice for interested students. The PowerPoint presentation with detailed requirements and application information can be found here.

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Zane Reynolds (Colorado Law '26) Named 2024 Charles N. Woodruff Fellow

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:40:33 +0000

Zane Reynolds (Colorado Law '26) Named 2024 Charles N. Woodruff Fellow Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/07/2024 - 17:40

University of Colorado Law student Zane Reynolds (’26) was awarded the Charles N. Woodruff Fellowship. The Charles N. Woodruff fellowship was established in memory of Charles Woodruff, a highly successful water resources lawyer, to promote excellence in the practice of natural resources law.

Zane was born and raised in Eagle, Colorado. Beginning in his undergraduate studies at the ��, he developed an interest in Environmental and Natural Resources issues, which led him to return for law school.

As the Charles N. Woodruff Fellow at the GWC, Zane has been focused on drafting a white paper opposing a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court by the state of Utah, which claims that the Bureau of Land Management cannot hold on to the 18.5 million acres of public land in the state in perpetuity. Since the lawsuit was filed, 12 other states have signed on. Given the major ramifications this suit might have on public lands, Zane looks forward to continuing his work for the GWC and protecting public lands in the West.

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