Senior Assistant Attorney General - NRE, Water Resources

Senior Assistant Attorney General - NRE, Water Resources

The Water Resources Unit and Water Conservation Unit of the Natural Resources and Environment Section are seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for Colorado water law and an interest in the appropriation, adjudication, administration, and protection of surface and groundwater rights on behalf of the people of Colorado. This position offers a unique opportunity to work directly with leaders of state agencies, water users, and other stakeholders on complex legal matters affecting the beneficial use, administration, and protection of Colorado’s water supplies across the state’s river basins and aquifers.

Colorado has long played a leading role in the development and administration of the prior appropriation system and continues to advance the coordinated use of surface and groundwater resources, as well as the protection of the environment through the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s instream flow and natural lake level water rights. This attorney will work as part of a fast-paced, collaborative team of legal and technical professionals representing the Colorado Division of Water Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board on significant and often complex water law matters.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief legal representative and serves as legal counsel to all state executive and judicial agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all."

Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here.

The Water Resources Unit represents and advises the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), which includes the Office of the State Engineer, the seven Division Engineers of Colorado’s seven Water Divisions (South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Gunnison, Colorado, Yampa/North Platte, and San Juan/Dolores Rivers), the Dam Safety Section, the Colorado Groundwater Commission, and the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well and Geothermal Heat Exchanger Contractors.

The Water Conservation Unit represents and advises the Stream and Lake Protection Section of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the acquisition, adjudication, and protection of instream flow water rights. The Unit also advises other sections within the CWCB in implementation of their programs, as well as represents other state agencies in the adjudication and protection of water rights.

The Assistant Attorney General will join a dedicated team of water attorneys and legal professionals working on behalf of the State of Colorado and its state agencies to defend the rule of law, protect the water resources of the State of Colorado, and to maximize the beneficial use of water for Colorado’s growth and prosperity. The attorney may be assigned to the Water Resources Unit, the Water Conservation Unit, or both, depending on operational needs.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

Represent State Agencies in Water Rights and Water Use Litigation

• Represents the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and other state agencies in water court, state and federal courts, and administrative proceedings involving water rights, well permits, and water resource management.
• Litigates matters involving applications for new water rights, changes of water rights, plans for augmentation, exchanges, enforcement actions, and other proceedings under Colorado's Water Right Determination and Administration Act.
• Handles appeals of water court decisions, final agency actions, and…