"May your boots carry you on the long stride. May the mountains be your stronghold."
Colorado will remember the late Justice Gregory Hobbs as stellar in all of the roles he played throughout his life and legal career, particularly as the leading authority on Colorado water law.
As a former student, I will remember Justice Hobbs as a kind and curious educator.
I took Justice Hobbs’ course focusing on Colorado water court, which he co-taught with then-Water Referee Susan Ryan, as he settled into his new role as the Distinguished Jurist in Residence at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law and Co-Director of the school’s Environmental & Natural Resources Law Program. Though the class was long and took place in the evening, Justice Hobbs always showed up with a kind smile and pep in his voice. His passion for water law–and for water as a resource, generally–shined through as he taught the course. He introduced us to important figures in Colorado’s water law world, arranging for guest speakers like Chief Judge James Hartmann, who at the time was the water judge for Water Division One. Even our overworked law student minds couldn’t help but engage with Justice Hobbs’ enthusiasm as he told the stories behind the most complex water law cases, somehow making 100-page opinions interesting.
On one class outing, Justice Hobbs proudly guided us through the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, where he did some of his most brilliant and impactful work as the Colorado Supreme Court’s resident expert on water law. He led us with giddy enthusiasm through the Judicial Learning Center, explaining the purpose and background of the exhibits and giving us an escape at a time when many of us were trapped in the seriousness that law school tends to impart.
In what I can only deem to be the best luck I’ve ever had, Justice Hobbs volunteered his time to serve as my professional mentor. We would meet for lunch at a café near the law school. Over huevos rancheros, he spoke frequently of his family, of whom he was exceedingly proud. He was gracious with his time and generous in his advice.
Justice Hobbs’ curiosity bubbled over into all areas of his life. He captured beauty and crafted prose from even the most ordinary scenes and circumstances. He was quick to send students thoughtful words of congratulations to mark graduation. With the bar impending, he sent us words of encouragement, leaving his students with the reminder that no matter what, we still have Colorado: “May your boots carry you on the long stride. May the mountains be your stronghold.”
Justice Hobbs was a natural educator, evidenced in part by his efforts in helping to found and support Water Education Colorado. He was adamant that Coloradoans have unfettered access to information on Colorado’s water-related history, doctrines, and rules. We have him to thank for publications like Headwaters magazine and the Citizen’s Guide to Colorado Water Law, which I still reference often in my practice.
Since learning that Justice Hobbs had passed, I have been thinking of how best to keep his momentum going, to make him proud as we face the issues that come with being the Headwaters State. The best way I can think of to honor such an extraordinary educator is to continue learning, as he always did, and above all to strive to be curious.
