Sarah Judkins focuses on energy, environmental, and public lands issues.  She has advised clients across many sectors, including renewable energy, recreation, and conservation, on a variety of regulatory issues that arise during permitting, development, and compliance.  Sarah’s experience includes representing clients and in state and federal court and before state and federal administrative bodies, including the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and the Interior Board of Land Appeals.  She has also counseled and represented clients in seeking and challenging approvals from the Department of the Interior, the United States Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and several Colorado state agencies.

Prior to joining the Firm, Sarah worked as a senior associate at a large, global law firm and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Carlos F. Lucero of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.  She was previously a legal fellow for the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate and Air legal team.

During law school, Sarah clerked at Earthjustice, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and the Getches-Green Natural Resources Law Clinic.  She was also an intern for the Honorable Gregory Hobbs of the Colorado Supreme Court and in the Natural Resources and Environment Section of the Colorado Office of the Attorney General.

Representative Experience

• Counseled public lands and infrastructure clients on environmental and related reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other federal requirements
• Advised manufacturing client on providing post-acquisition voluntary self-disclosure of potential violations of state and federal law to EPA and state agencies
• Represented a renewable energy developer in protecting its contracts with a utility before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Counseled client in considering and negotiating the sale of a decommissioned power plant for redevelopment
• Advised on environmental and energy due diligence issues for acquisitions
• Represented unaccompanied immigrant children and young adults in obtaining asylum, release from detention, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Professional and Civic Activities

• Member, Policy Committee, Inland Ocean Coalition (2019–Present)
• Mentor, University of Denver Strum College of Law Professional Mentoring Program (2019–Present)
• Member, Southwest Regional Advisory Council, National Parks Conservation Association (2018–Present)
• Member, Planning Committee, Journey to JD – Center for Legal Inclusiveness (2018)
• Board of Directors, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (2016–Present)
• Member, Colorado LGBT Bar Association
• Member, Colorado Bar Association, Natural Resources and Energy Section