Job Description

Posting number: LAA 09170-8/2026

Department: Department of Law

Division: Natural Resources & Environment

Job classification: NON-CLASSIFIED

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Attorney

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system.
Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

Examples of duties

WHAT YOU WILL DO

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 other judicial proceedings involving water law.
• Develops litigation strategy, conducts legal research, drafts pleadings, motions, briefs, settlement agreements, and appellate filings, and appears in state court on behalf of state agencies.

Provide Legal Counsel and Regulatory Advice

• Advises agency leadership and staff regarding the interpretation and application of Colorado water law, administrative law, and related statutes affecting surface and ground water administration and allocation.
• Provides legal advice concerning water rights administration, decree interpretation, rulemaking, administrative procedures, the Colorado Open Records Act, the Colorado Open Meetings Law, and other legal issues affecting agency operations and decisions.
• Reviews proposed legislation, regulations, contracts, and policies to assess legal implications and provide recommendations.

Represent Clients in Administrative Proceedings

• Represents clients before administrative tribunals and boards involving well permit issuances and denials, enforcement actions, rulemaking proceedings, agency appeals, and other matters affecting water use and water rights administration.
• Advises agencies throughout administrative proceedings, prepares legal memoranda and proposed orders, and represents agency positions during hearings and public meetings.

Protect Colorado's Water Resources

• Represents the Colorado Water Conservation Board in the acquisition, adjudication, administration, and protection of instream flow and natural lake level water rights.
• Provides legal support to agency programs involving flood mitigation, water conservation, and water project financing.
• Collaborates with attorneys, engineers, hydrologists, and other technical experts to protect the State's water resources and promote the beneficial use of water consistent with Colorado law.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Client Representation

• Serves as legal counsel to agency leadership by providing practical legal advice, developing litigation and regulatory strategies, and presenting legal recommendations.
• Collaborates with state agencies, local governments, water users, federal agencies, attorneys, and other stakeholders to resolve complex water law issues and advance the State's interests.
• Represents the Department and client agencies during public meetings, stakeholder discussions, legislative hearings, and professional conferences, as appropriate.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the Natural Resource and Environment Section at the Department of Law.

Salary note: The Department of Law uses an attorney compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

In order to be appointed as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, candidates must have a minimum of ten years of experience as a licensed attorney and demonstrate significant subject matter expertise in Colorado water law or other legal experience directly related to the assignment. Relevant expertise may include experience advising clients on the appropriation, adjudication, administration, protection, or enforcement of surface and groundwater rights and/or representing water users, governmental entities, or other clients in civil litigation involving water use and water rights. If the position is filled at the level of Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be $112,564 to $150,556/year.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II) The salary range for an AAG II is $102,099 - $136,557/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified applicants must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel

We are looking for individuals who have experience in civil litigation, including trial experience and experience with Colorado water law, the State Administrative Procedures Act, rulemakings, negotiating settlements, and transactional work. Please highlight and detail your trial, motions, and discovery experience in your cover letter We are also seeking candidates who have:

• A genuine enthusiasm for water law
• Experience with water court practice and negotiation and interpretation of water court decrees
• Experience with reviewing water rights engineering and water rights accounting
• Excellent writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders
• Ability to manage a significant caseload and work effectively in a fast-paced litigation environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of legal team
• Desire and ability to be responsive and timely in all communications to clients and colleagues
• Confidence to work with sophisticated clients, including engineers, hydrologists, and policy professionals
• Eagerness to learn complex subject matter and develop expertise in water law
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and integrity
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a culture of integrity and accountability within the office
• Sound judgment when working with high-level stakeholders, including knowing when to consult teammates and supervisors
• A demonstrated commitment to public service, ethics and professional responsibility

For the Senior Assistant Attorney General position, we are seeking applicants who have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a licensed attorney and demonstrate significant subject matter expertise in Colorado water law or other legal experience directly related to the assignment. Relevant expertise may include experience advising clients on the appropriation, adjudication, administration, protection, or enforcement of surface and groundwater rights and/or representing water users, governmental entities, or other clients in civil litigation involving water use and water rights.

Applicants should highlight in their cover letter any relevant experience, including any experience with including any experience i n civil litigation, including trial experience and experience with Colorado water law, the State Administrative Procedures Act, rulemakings, negotiating settlements, and transactional work Applicants are also encouraged to describe their experience mentoring lawyers and staff.

We are looking for a teammate who has excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills, who thrives in and enjoys fostering a collaborative and friendly work environment, but who can also effectively work independently. The strongest candidates will also have:

• More than ten (10) years of experience as a licensed attorney and demonstrate significant subject matter expertise in Colorado water law or other legal experience directly related to the assignment. Relevant expertise may include experience advising clients on the appropriation, adjudication, administration, protection, or enforcement of surface and groundwater rights and/or representing water users, governmental entities, or other clients in civil litigation involving water use and water rights.
• Experience serving as lead counsel in complex litigation, including developing litigation strategy, managing all phases of litigation, and successfully negotiating complex settlements.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in the interpretation and application of Colorado's water laws.
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, legal research, negotiation, and written and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to resolve novel or high-profile legal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex and demanding caseload while balancing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, and exercising sound professional judgment with minimal supervision.
• Experience advising executive leadership, agency decision-makers, and technical professionals on complex legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
• Significant experience negotiating settlements, resolving disputes, and working collaboratively with opposing counsel, stakeholders, and governmental entities to achieve legally sound outcomes.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or leading attorneys and legal teams, including providing technical guidance, litigation strategy, or professional development.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and establish credibility with clients, agency leadership, technical experts, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, discretion, and political awareness when advising high-level stakeholders on matters involving significant legal, operational, or public policy implications.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to independently identify legal risks, develop practical solutions, and manage complex matters with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and the protection, administration, and responsible stewardship of Colorado's water resources
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and client service.

The qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General II are:

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar, please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Supplemental information

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.

Required Application Materials: Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility

We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys

We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.

We Offer Excellent Benefits
In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical, dental and vision health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to an on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.

ADAAA Requests

The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher at hr@coag.gov

For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov