University of Denver Water Law Review Announces New Staff Members

The University of Denver Water Law Review has announced the newest additions to its editorial staff.

In making the announcement Matt Brodahl, Editor in Chief, said, "The Water Law Review accepted 21 new members this fall in what was one of the most competitive write-ons in recent memory. We are very excited to have such a great group of students joining the Water Law Review."

The new members are:

• Andrea Aguilera-Moreno
  
  
• Sarah Barth
  
  
• Jonathan Culwell
  
  
• Kelly DeLaney
  
  
• Tyler Geisert
  
  
• Elisabeth Hutchinson
  
  
• Alan Kitchen
  
  
• Amy Kho
  
  
• Max Lawrie
  
  
• Michael Lerch
  
  
• Zachariah Lockwood
  
  
• Patrick Peluso
  
  
• Anthony Perko
  
  
• Taylor Rork
  
  
• Darin Smith
  
  
• Robert Sykes
  
  
• Winslow Taylor
  
  
• Scott Thompson
  
  
• Matthew Watson
  
  
• Jessica Weiss
  
  
• Jessica Zaegel

First published in 1997, the Water Law Review is a practical resource for lawyers, policy makers, and students. Continued involvement in the water law community allows the Review to stay current on developing water issues. Every issue includes up to date articles on developing water law issues, as well as several other useful and interesting resources such as biographies of water practitioners, book notes, conference reports, and coverage of water cases from all U.S. federal and state courts.

The Water Law Review is a student run journal. Students are responsible for the production of the journal, from the solicitation of articles to the final content editing and publishing. Students gain valuable experience in legal research, writing, management, and water law from their involvement on the Water Law Review.

University of Denver Water Law Review Annual Dinner: A Gathering of Water Law and Policy Leaders and Analysts

One of the most enjoyable nights of the spring semester each year is the annual dinner of the University of Denver Water Law Review. And tonight was no exception.

The Water Law Review is unique among American law school journals since it focuses entirely on water law. It includes the highest quality articles from the leading figures in water law. Moreover, student prepared summaries of key water cases are valuable to all water practitioners.

Chairing the annual dinner marked one of the final responsibilities for current editor-in-chief, Ryan McLane, who received a standing ovation for his contributions to the Review. It also provided incoming editor-in-chief Matt Brodahl an opportunity to look ahead to next year's issues. Many of the Review's impressive staff of students were also on hand to enjoy the evening.

The Water Law Review really is one of the "crown jewels" at Denver Law. A highly respected source of the most current information about water developments, The Water Law Review is consulted each year by many of the nation's top water lawyers. In fact, a recent article has resulted in a currently on-going debate in Montana about whether to revise the state's water policy.

Joining in the dinner and collegiality were several individuals who have also been strong supporters of the Water Law Review including water law expert Professor George (Rock) Pring, faculty advisor since the inception of the Review, and Professor Tom Romero, who also teaches water law and will be joining Professor Pring as a faculty advisor. Both received warm applause from students who benefit enormously from their expertise and guidance. Professor and Associate Dean Fred Cheever also attended along with Adjunct Professor Star Waring, who teaches Water Law and has been involved in a recent series of the most important cases involving Colorado water law.

This annual event marks a proud night in Denver Law's long-standing commitment to environmental and natural resources law. Few institutions anywhere can boast of such an impressive group of professionals -- professors, students, members of the water law and policy community -- involved with water law.

Prospective law students who are interested in water issues should seriously consider Denver Law as a place to learn about water law as well as rub shoulders with sterling leaders such as Professors Cheever, Pring, Romero, and Warring as well as current students who are the water law and policy leaders of tomorrow.

Don C. Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law

The University of Denver Water Law Review Volume 15 Board is Announced

Volume 15 of The University of Denver Water Law Review will be lead by Editor-in-Chief Matt Brodahl and Managing Editors Raven Adams and Francis Yi.

The Water Law Review is an internationally circulated, semi-annual publication that serves as a high-quality forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and legal and policy analyses concerning water law.

First published in 1997, the Water Law Review is a practical resource for lawyers, policy makers, and students. Law Professor and Faculty Advisor George (Rock) Pring, has said, "Our continued involvement in the water law community allows the Review to stay current on developing water issues. Every issue includes up to date articles on developing water law issues, as well as several other useful and interesting resources such as biographies of water practitioners, book notes, conference reports, and coverage of water cases from all U.S. federal and state courts."

The Water Law Review is a student run journal. Students are responsible for the production of the journal, from the solicitation of articles to the final content editing and publishing. Students gain valuable experience in legal research, writing, management, and water law from their involvement on the Water Law Review.

Other members of the volume 15 board are:

Business Editor
Emily Lande

Production Editor
Myra Gottl

Symposium Editor
Justine Shepherd

Article Editors
Dustin Charapata
Mark Phillips
Colin Zundel
Jamie Luckenbill
John Hedges

Court Report Editors
Kelly Miller
Alison Altaras

New Book About Colorado Rivers by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs Reviewed by DU Professor Tom I. Romero II

A new book about Colorado rivers written by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs has been described as “…one man’s lifelong journey to understand and come to grips with the wonderful but often inequitable bounty of Colorado’s rivers and its people,” by Tom I. Romero II, an Associate Professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Professor Romero, who teaches Water Law, recently reviewed Living the Four Corners: Colorado, Centennial State at the Headwaters for The Colorado Lawyer (December 2010 pages 59-60), the journal of the Colorado Bar Association.

Justice Hobbs has been a long time friend of the College of Law and the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program in particular. He regularly speaks at the University of Denver Water Law Review Annual Meeting as well as to various water law-related courses.

Professor Romero writes that “Once majestic and unpredictable bodies of water, the headwaters of the Centennial State have become tightly controlled, over-managed cisterns on which every single drop is drained.”

In commenting about Justice Hobbs’ book, Professor Romero says:

“Justice Greg Hobbs reminds us…these rivers continue to inspire awe and wonder, perhaps because of our deep-rooted reliance on the river systems for our economy, politics, and culture—or perhaps because we simultaneously recognize and take for granted each river’s persistence and durability.”

Moreover, Professor Romero suggests that the book is a “teaching text” for all those involved in water issues:

“It shows us how to breathe life into our endeavors; it implores us to suck the marrow out of our shared experiences; and it empowers us to drink liberally from those water that have cut such deep canyons in the history, lives, and culture of Colorado."

Living the Four Corners is published by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado. For information about how to order the book, please click here.

"Colorado Water Case of the Century" to be Argued at University of Denver Sturm College of Law January 20, 2011

A case that some experts have described as the "Colorado water case of the century" will be argued at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law on January 20, 2011, from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Burlington Ditch Reservoir & Land Company and Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company case (also known as the FRICO case) will be heard by the Colorado Supreme Court meeting in room 165 at the College of Law. The water rights case involves a determination of the historic consumptive use of the 1885 Burlington direct flow and storage water rights.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program said, "The setting of oral arguments in this important case at the College of Law will provide DU students, faculty, and friends an excellent opportunity to hear this historic case. In one measure of the importance of the case, the Supreme Court has provided for a 90 minute argument rather than its more typical 30 or 45 minutes."

Associate Dean and Professor Fred Cheever said the College of Law was "honored to be hosting the Supreme Court." Dean Cheever noted that most of the state's prominent water lawyers will be at the College of Law to observe the oral arguments.

A second case on the Court's docket is a matter involving legislative intent.

Anyone wishing more information about the Court's session at the College of Law should contact Stefanie Carroll by clicking here.

Critical Climate Change and Water Law Issues Examined at the 2010 University of Denver Water Law Review Symposium

The important relationship between climate change and water law was considered recently at the 2010 DU Water Law Review Symposium, which was organized by the editors and staff of the University of Denver Water Law Review.

The symposium began with opening remarks by DU Law Professor George "Rock" Pring, a noted water law expert and Danielle Sexton, editor-in-chief of the Water Law Review.

Highlights during the symposium included:

• Brad Udall, Director of the University of Colorado NOAA Western Water Assessment who addressed projected climate change impacts on western U.S. water resources.

• Amy Beatie, Director of the Colorado Water Trust, talked about ethical issues in the water practice specifically involving appeals.

• Prof. Dan Tarlock, an internationally recognized expert in environmental law and the law of water use of the Chicago-Kent School Law addressed water and climate change and the strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

• Bart Miller, water program director for Western Resource Advocates explained the energy and water connection as it relates to oil shale development in Colorado.

• Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs reviewed the work of the Colorado Water Courts.

The Water Law Review is an internationally circulated, semi-annual publication that serves as a high-quality forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and legal and policy analyses concerning water law.

According to Prof. Pring:

"First published in 1997, the Water Law Review is a practical resource for lawyers, policy makers, and students. Our continued involvement in the water law community allows us to stay current on developing water issues. Every issue includes up to date articles on developing water law issues, as well as several other useful and interesting resources such as biographies of water practitioners, book notes, conference reports, and coverage of water cases from all U.S. federal and state courts.

The Water Law Review is a student run journal. Students are responsible for the production of the journal, from the solicitation of articles to the final content editing and publishing. Students gain valuable experience in legal research, writing, management, and water law from their involvement on the Water Law Review."

Below are pictures taken at the conference.