Assistant Attorney General/Senior Assistant Attorney General - NRE, Water Resources

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•$89,964 - $150,556

About The Position

The Colorado Office of the Attorney General is seeking an experienced attorney to work in the Water Resources Unit, the Water Conservation Unit, or both, within the Natural Resources and Environment Section. The attorney represents and advises the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and other state agencies on Colorado water law and related matters. The work concerns the appropriation, adjudication, administration, beneficial use, and protection of surface and groundwater rights, including instream flow and natural lake level rights. The attorney handles litigation and administrative proceedings, advises agency leaders and staff, and collaborates with legal and technical professionals, government entities, water users, and other stakeholders. The position may be filled at the Assistant Attorney General I, Assistant Attorney General II, or Senior Assistant Attorney General level, depending on experience and qualifications. Applicants must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or clearly eligible to waive into it and be in good standing. The position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights. It remains open until November 30, 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Requirements

Admission to the Colorado Bar, or clear eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar, and good standing at the time of application. Candidates seeking waiver must submit proof of the completed bar application; applicable candidates must also submit an application for Practice Pending Admission before employment begins.
Civil litigation experience, including trial experience; applicants are asked to detail trial, motions, and discovery experience in their cover letter.
Experience or knowledge involving Colorado water law, the State Administrative Procedure Act, rulemakings, settlement negotiations, and transactional work.
Excellent legal writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills; attention to detail; strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders; independently and collaboratively; and in a fast-paced litigation environment with a significant caseload.
Ability to communicate responsively and on time, exercise sound judgment, handle confidential matters with discretion and integrity, and work with sophisticated clients and technical professionals.
Commitment to public service, ethics, professional responsibility, integrity, accountability, and protection and responsible stewardship of Colorado water resources.
Assistant Attorney General I: Less than three years of experience practicing as an attorney; no separate minimum years requirement is stated beyond the level description.
Assistant Attorney General II: At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney; willingness to travel periodically within Colorado; enthusiasm for a career in water law.
Senior Assistant Attorney General: At least ten years of experience as a licensed attorney and significant subject matter expertise in Colorado water law or other legal experience directly related to the assignment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with water court practice, negotiation and interpretation of water court decrees, and water rights engineering or accounting.
For AAG II, experience with Colorado water court practice and complex decree negotiations, including drafting pleadings, motions, and proposed decrees.
For AAG II, experience contributing to dispositive or complex motions, such as Rule 56 motions in Colorado water court proceedings.
For AAG II, experience advising clients on water management, accounting, and planning for raw water resources, or supporting rulemaking and administrative proceedings.
Interest in or experience mentoring others or leading teams in a legal setting; knowledge of legal ethics rules, regulations, and best practices.
For senior applicants, experience as lead counsel in complex litigation, managing litigation phases and negotiating complex settlements; advising executive leadership and technical professionals; and mentoring, coaching, or leading attorneys and legal teams.
For senior applicants, exceptional strategic, analytical, research, negotiation, and advocacy skills; ability to independently manage a complex caseload, resolve novel or high-profile issues, and advise high-level stakeholders with professionalism and political awareness.
A writing sample is required. Applicants are also asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Responsibilities

Represent the Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and other state agencies in water court, district court, administrative proceedings, and appeals involving water rights, well permits, and water resource management.
Litigate matters involving new water rights, changes of water rights, plans for augmentation, exchanges, enforcement actions, and other proceedings under Colorado water law.
Develop litigation strategy; conduct legal research; draft pleadings, motions, briefs, settlement agreements, appellate filings, legal memoranda, and proposed orders; and appear in court and before administrative bodies.
Advise agency leadership and staff on Colorado water law, administrative law, water rights administration, decree interpretation, rulemaking, administrative procedures, open records and open meetings requirements, and other agency legal matters.
Review proposed legislation, regulations, contracts, and policies and advise on their legal implications.
Represent clients in proceedings involving well permit decisions, enforcement, rulemaking, agency appeals, and other matters affecting water use and water rights administration.
Represent the Colorado Water Conservation Board in the acquisition, adjudication, administration, and protection of instream flow and natural lake level water rights.
Provide legal support to agency programs involving flood mitigation, water conservation, and water project financing.
Collaborate with attorneys, engineers, hydrologists, agencies, local governments, water users, federal agencies, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders to address water law issues and protect state interests.
Provide practical legal advice and recommendations to agency leadership, and represent the Department and client agencies at public meetings, stakeholder discussions, legislative hearings, and professional conferences as appropriate.
Manage a significant caseload and, at senior levels, potentially mentor or guide attorneys and legal teams.

Benefits

Comprehensive state benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Paid holidays, retirement plans through Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned monthly.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying borrowers and employment circumstances.
Free access to an on-site fitness center.
Flexible work schedules and other work-life programs.
Professional development and training opportunities, including coaching and continuing legal education.
Employee discount program.
Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program.
Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues.