Colorado Water Fellows Program
The Colorado Water Fellows Program, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, aims to support Denver Law students' efforts to pursue the practice of water law. It was developed to support students from communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession and those with less familiarity with the legal profession. A collaboration between the Sturm College of Law's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, our water law curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and the Colorado Water Center’s own Colorado Water Fellows Program at Colorado State University, fellows receive mentorship from water law students and practitioners; and have multiple opportunities to learn, research, travel, and contribute their time and effort to novel water law and policy issues. Fellows receive a stipend for their participation in the program and are eligible to receive funding to conduct research with faculty, practitioners, or a community partner working in issues of water. The program abides by all requirements set by DU's Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
Fellows will meet monthly to:
- learn from water law practitioners;
- understand the interdisciplinary nature of the practice from water policy professionals (hydrologists, engineers, etc..);
- receive lectures and workshops from faculty and community experts to identify and convey their knowledge on the variety of issues and challenges of water law;
- have the opportunity to learn from diverse water law practitioners and water professionals about the barriers and opportunities in this area of law.
The 2025 application is closed.
The Colorado Water Fellows Program, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, taps into Colorado’s and the University of Denver’s legacy as visionary forward-thinking leaders in creating certainty, equity, and justice in the access, availability and adaptability of water rights. Along with DU’s internationally esteemed Water Law Review, Denver Law’s renowned water and natural resources faculty, and its vast water law alumni network, Colorado Water Fellows join an impactful community working to find new and innovative ways to meet the multiple and often conflicting demands of diverse peoples, places and practices that are deeply reliant on this most precious of natural resources.
Meet the 2025-2026 Fellows
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Madeleine Bradley
Madeleine Bradley (she/her/s) is a 1L law student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. A native of Johnston, Iowa, she graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with BS degrees in environmental science and global health studies. After graduating, Madeleine went to New Zealand on a working holiday visa for six months, before coming back to Iowa to work as a senior legislative associate for government affairs firm Eide-Walton. For the last four years, Madeleine has been a registered lobbyist advocating for Eide-Walton’s clients at the Iowa State Capitol and federally in Washington, D.C. Some of this work has been related to water policy and water utilities, which sparked her interest in the field of water law. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, and traveling – especially to the U.K. where some of her family lives.
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Rosey Delaibau
Rosey Delaibau (she/her/s) is from Flagstaff, Arizona. She grew up exploring the largest contiguous ponderosa pine tree forest in the world, hiking the Grand Canyon and San Francisco Peaks, and rafting the Colorado and San Juan Rivers. Rosey was raised in accordance with the values of her iTaukei heritage to have deep respect and veneration for the natural world and to embody her ancestors' attitude of stewardship of our Earth. She attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied philosophy and poetry, and was awarded the Stanley and Evelyn Lipkin Prize for Poetry upon her graduation. Her passion for natural resources and environmental law, specifically water law, led her to apply to Denver Law. Rosey hopes to work with Indigenous and tribal communities using traditional knowledge and the legal system to promote sustainability and equity of clean water access for all living beings. She enjoys skydiving and pizza.
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William Nutt
Born blind, William Nutt (he/him/s) grew up advocating for rights of persons with disabilities. In college he pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees in anthropology and archaeology, before pivoting into a career in civil rights. Over the past 11 years, he has worked for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and at multiple universities. He has a deep interest in environmental and water justice and its intersection with broader human rights topics. When not attending law school, William spends time with his spouse and two children, playing the bagpipes, or working in Title IX and civil rights.
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Nicole Wade
Nicole Wade (she/her/s) is a first-generation college student and daughter of a Colombian immigrant. She currently supports human resources and talent acquisition for a large non-profit affordable housing provider. She hopes to one day expand access to resources and opportunities for underrepresented communities. Nicole is particularly interested in the equitable distribution of water rights and resources. She is excited to deepen her understanding of water issues through the Colorado Water Fellows Program at the Sturm College of Law.
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Anne-Marie Williams
Anne-Marie (Anni) Williams (she/her/s) is a part-time law student at the University of Denver and a full-time technology marketer. She is originally from Texas, where she experienced firsthand the destructive combination of unbelievably hot summers, limited natural water sources, and an ocean contaminated with oil, trash, and sewage. These experiences have inspired Anni's long-held interest in environmental justice, and most recently have led her to the Colorado Water Fellows Program at DU. She is incredibly excited to learn more about water law and the people and places it can protect through this program.
How it Works
Fellows will develop individualized plans that will detail curricular and non-curricular course recommendations, clinical opportunities, participation on the Water Law Review, externships as well as internships, and attendance at two water law and policy conferences.
Each fellow will be paired with a peer or recent alumni mentor to help them navigate the unique pathways of learning and becoming part of the water bar.
Each fellow will also have an opportunity to develop their professional portfolio by conducting legal and related research as well as write legal briefs and memoranda in water law issues approved by the Director of the Water Law Program.
Learn More
The Colorado Water Fellows Program, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, is being launched through generous support from the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Learn more about the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University.
