Environmental Law Clinic Director Prof. Mike Harris Creating Groundbreaking "Colorado Urban Project"

University of Denver College of Law Prof. Mike Harris is in the process of establishing the groundbreaking "Colorado Urban Project," an effort that will address environmental and wildlife issues related to the projected rapid population growth in Denver and along Colorado's front range.

As Prof. Harris, who also directs the DU Environmental Law Clinic, explained in the latest issue of the Sturm College of Law Alumni Magazine ("Can the Law Protect Our Environmental Future? The Colorado Urban Project", Summer 2009):

"Working on air quality in Los Angeles is a thumb-in-the-dike proposition. You're focusing on damage control. But here in Denver, we've got all of our population growth in front of us. We can get out ahead of these problems and really make a difference. If we can just come to terms with meaningful environmental planning in Colorado, we can assure a future with not only economic growth, but with sustainable, healthy neighborhoods as well."

Prof. Harris is working along three fronts in the creation of the Colorado Urban Project:

• Establishing a clinic for students to gain practical experience;
• Building a corresponding curriculum; and
• Expanding relationships with local politicians, community groups, and environmental advocates.

The opportunity to work with visionary leaders like Prof. Mike Harris is yet another example of why the DU Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Program is the place to study today's "cutting edge" environmental and natural resources issues.