Some of our clients and notable cases and projects include:

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

• Amoco Production Company v. Southern Ute Indian Tribe, 526 U.S. 865 (1999)(determining whether federal patent reservations of coal include coal bed methane contained in coal deposits) (resulted in settlements exceeding $200 million in value);


• Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company v. Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, 986 F.Supp. 1351 (D. Colo. 1997)(finding that memorandum of understanding between COGCC and BLM regarding policies and procedures for oil and gas operators on Indian lands provided exclusive administrative procedures);


• Southern Ute Indian Tribe v. United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Case No. 96M1369 (D. Colo. 1996)(challenging final rule under Endangered Species Act);


• Southern Ute Indian Tribe v. Leavitt, Case No. 05-988, 2007 WL 2120407 (D.N.M. June 15, 2007)(P.L. 93-638 contract declination appeal concerning authority of IHS to unilaterally demand changes to self-determination model contract);
• Development and implementation of financial plan and extensive diversified investments;


• Taxation Compact between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, La Plata County and the State of Colorado;


• The Southern Ute Indian Tribe—State of Colorado Gaming Compact;


• Intergovernmental agreement between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the State of Colorado concerning air quality control on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, § 24-62-101, C.R.S. (2006), establishing joint Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State of Colorado Environmental Control Commission;


• Intergovernmental agreement between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the State of Colorado concerning revocation of drivers’ licenses;
• Indian Child Welfare Act Agreement between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the State of Colorado; and


• Numerous cases in multiple jurisdictions in support of Indian Child Welfare Act implementation.



Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation

• Extensive revision of all hospital policies for 800 employee hospital;


• Negotiation of Annual Funding Agreement under P.L. 93-638.



La Plata Electric Association, Inc. and Empire Electric Association, Inc.

• Bontrager v. La Plata Electric Association, Inc., 68 P.3d 555 (Colo. App. 2003)(holding that association was within its authority to invest in for-profit nonelectric subsidiaries).



First National Bank of Durango and Mancos Valley Bank

• General representation, litigation and review of commercial loan transactions.



Southwestern Water Conservation District

• General representation, extensive water court practice.



Dolores and Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy Districts

• Taxpayers for the Animas-La Plata Referendum v. Animas-La Plata Conservancy District, 739 F.2d 1472 (10th Cir. 1984)(finding water conservancy district to be properly established and dismissing plaintiffs’ claims for damages).