Colorado Law’s centers have earned national prominence for their research, publications, and leading conferences that debate legal and policy issues, foster practical solutions and innovative ideas, facilitate networking, and produce scholarship. Students are an integral part of the centers. Students may work as volunteers, externs, or research assistants on research projects, reports, newsletters, and events. In addition, students will have unique access to national and local policymakers, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and legal practitioners in many areas of the law.
Named in honor of the retired Supreme Court Justice and CU alumnus, the center was founded in 1990 to enhance the study and teaching of Constitutional law and stimulate public debate and understanding of our Constitutional system. Each year, the center gathers politicians, academics, and practitioners for the Ira C. Rothgerber, Jr. Conference. Recent topics have included home rule, reapportioning Colorado, state initiatives, academic freedom, and conscience and the free exercise of religion.
The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment is dedicated to serving the people of the American West, the nation, and the world through creative, interdisciplinary research, bold, inclusive teaching, and innovative problem solving in order to further true sustainability for our lands, waters, and environment. Formerly known as the Natural Resources Law Center, the Getches-Wilkinson Center is building on the successful legacies not only of the NRLC, but also of other existing programs in natural resources, energy, and the environment at Colorado Law.
The Getches-Wilkinson Center regularly hosts an array of conferences and distinguished speakers, including the Annual Martz Summer Conference, the Energy Innovation Speaker Series, and various seminars for practitioners and the interested public. Students are invited to join these events and visit some of the center's ongoing projects, such as the longstanding work to improve western water management, to develop and deploy best management practices for oil and gas production, and to develop practical strategies and solutions to provide appropriate sustainable energy technologies to the Other Third.
The center is nationally recognized as a telecommunications law powerhouse. It hosts leading technology policy conferences with legal, technical, regulatory, and business experts to elevate the debate around technology policy issues, facilitate networking, and develop “human capital” in the Colorado technology community. Students assist on major research projects including the Software Regulation Clearing House and help organize 15–20 events a year on topics such as digital broadband migration, entrepreneurial law and startups, new technology, business plan competition, private equity, software patents, and regulatory law and economics.