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The Getches-Wilkinson Center will be convening the 2025 Martz Symposium on Public Lands: "Public Lands in Public Hands – Reflections on 50 Years of Retention History" on Thurs, Oct 23rd and Fri, Oct 24th at the Wolf Law Building in Boulder, CO.

Public Lands in Public Hands – Reflections on 50 Years of Retention History

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act marked a new chapter in the history of public lands in the United States.Ìý In that 1976 law, Congress declared a national policy that public lands be retained in federal ownership and control for the benefit of the American people. Over the last 50 years, that retention policy has led to far reaching consequences for people and places across the country. Today, public lands provide critical support for economic, environmental, social, and cultural values, contributing to the vitality of both urban and rural communities. Yet, the nation still struggles with the effects of dispossession and forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands, most of which remain in the hands of the Federal government. Retention of public lands also presents certain challenges to states, localities, and private property owners.

Despite 50 years of retention policy and widespread public support for keeping public lands in public hands, the future of public lands remains uncertain. Some want the federal government to sell off federal public lands or give them to the States. Others are keen to defend and celebrate the retention policy and their love of public lands.

The legal landscape has also changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Public land planning has proved to be a mixed bag, but it engages the public on the critical issues facing public land planners, including resource development, grazing policy, land conservation, endangered species conservation, and the protection of cultural resources, among many other things. Modernizing the decision-making process has also taken center stage, with debates about strategies for making faster and smarter decisions. Adaptive management has also entered the public lands lexicon, although it sometimes seems more aspirational than real.

This year’s Martz Symposium takes a deep dive into the past, present, and future of our national policy of keeping public lands in public hands. The symposium will convene experts in public lands law and policy, advocates from across the political and policy spectrum, including Tribal leaders, experts on public opinion, and many other respected voices. Our goal will be to stimulate new thinking and fresh ideas, and to inspire a new generation of public lands leaders to build on the legacy from the past 50 years. Please join us for what promises to be an outstanding opportunity to engage with old and new friends and colleagues on one of the most important issues facing the American West.

Confirmed Speakers Include:
Bret Birdsong, Professor of Law, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
Ethan Blevins, Senior Legal Fellow, Pacific Legal Foundation
Alison Flint, Senior Legal Director, The Wilderness Society
Arthur Gailes, Fesearch Fellow I AEI Housing Center, American Enterprise Institute
Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations, Outdoor Alliance
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesÌý
Kathryn Hahne, Director, New Bridge Strategy
Sarah Krakoff, Moses Lasky Professor, University of Colorado Law School
Natalie Landreth, Partner, Nashoba Consulting LLC and Co-Executive Director, Tribal Public Lands Alliance
Matt Lee-Ashley, Former Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Programs, White House Council on Environmental Quality
John Leshy, Professor Emeritus, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Gussie Lord, Director of Tribal Partnerships, Earthjustice
Mamie Parker, Former Head of Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Vanessa Racehorse, Associate Professor of Law, University of Colorado Law School
Katie Schroder, Partner, Davis Graham
Rudy Soto, Executive Director, The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)
Mark Squillace, Raphael J. Moses Professor of Natural Resources Law, University of Colorado Law School
Rebecca Tsosie, Regents' Professor of Law, James E. Rogers College of Law and Faculty Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Timothy Whitehouse, Executive Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Chris Winter, Executive Director, Getches-Wilkinson Center

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Registration Rates Early Bird - Register prior to October 1, 2025
General (In person)Ìý Ìý Ìý$225
Remote Access OnlyÌý Ìý $75
CU Faculty/Staff/Student (In person or Zoom)ÌýÌýÌýÌý Free
*Buff OneCard number may be requested for validation of current ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ faculty/staff/student status.Ìý
Colorado Law Alumni Only Reception Thurs, Oct 23Ìý Ìý $15
*This is only available to Colorado Law alumni to attend the Martz Symposium Reception on Thurs, Oct 23rd. This does not grant access to the conference.Ìý

Registration Rates - Register on or after October 2, 2025
General (In person)Ìý Ìý Ìý$250
Remote Access OnlyÌý Ìý $100
CU Faculty/Staff/Student (In person or Zoom)ÌýÌýÌýÌý Free
*Buff OneCard number may be requested for validation of current ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ faculty/staff/student status.
Colorado Law Alumni Only Reception Thurs, Oct 23Ìý Ìý $15
*This is only available to Colorado Law alumni to attend the Martz Symposium Reception on Thurs, Oct 23rd. This does not grant access to the conference.Ìý

Registration will close Monday, October 20.
No refunds will be offered after October 1, 2025.
Remote access will be given to ALL registered attendees.
Conference reception, campus parking, and lunches/refreshments included with in person registration.
General Colorado CLE is pending.
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Hotel Room Block
GWC has a hotel room block at the Boulder Marriott Wed, Oct 22 - Sat, Oct 25.Ìý. The room block is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is valid until September 22nd or until all rooms are filled.

Conference Partnerships

We’re now accepting conference partners at all levels.

Learn more about our partnerships here.

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