The Energy Bar Association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter is hosting their third annual half-day special event on March 4, 2026 at the Hilton Denver City Center. This CLE event is produced in collaboration with the Solar Power and Energy Storage Mountain West Conference (March 2 – March 4).

Join us to engage with other energy lawyers and professionals around the most interesting questions of today

If you wish to attend the entire conference, a 10% off ticket will be available during CLE event registration. The discount is offered for an All-Conference or a single-day Tuesday pass.

Agenda:

10:30 AM – 11:50 AM Legal Issues in Data Center Development: Land Use, Energy Supply, and Other Challenges Facing the AI Buildout 

Data center development to support artificial intelligence is impacting the electric grid in ways never seen before.  A panel of experts will talk about legal challenges and opportunities that will impact data center development in Colorado and beyond.  Learn how the existing electric utility regulatory framework is evolving to accommodate these new economic drivers.   

12:00 PM – 12:50 PM Lunch with the Colorado Public Utility Commission Administrative Law Judge Section 

The Administrative Law Judge Section will be back to discuss recent changes that have impacted administrative practice before the PUC.  New and experienced practitioners alike will benefit from hearing about new changes to the model procedures, practice tips on using e-filings, and resource and staffing changes that may impact standard practice in PUC hearings.      

• Chief Judge Harris Adams, Chief Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Judge Conor F. Farley, Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Casey Federico, J.D., Administrator V, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Judge Melody Mirbaba, Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Judge Aviv Segev, J.D., Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Judge Robert Garvey, Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Judge Kelly Rosenberg, Administrative Law Judge, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Stephanie Kunkel, Legal Assistant, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• April Crain, Legal Assistant, Colorado Public Utilities Commission

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands 

Renewable energy development on tribal lands presents both challenges and opportunities for developers.  While comprising roughly 2% of total U.S. land, tribal lands possess approximately 5% of the nation’s total renewable energy capacity. Speakers will discuss navigating tribal governments, cultural resources, and the differing approaches that separate sovereign nations can take when presented with the opportunity to host projects.  

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM Oil and Gas: Colorado’s Legal Landscape in 2026

In 2019, Colorado enacted nation-leading decarbonization regulations applicable to the oil and gas industry, following the passage of SB19-181 and the establishment of the Energy & Carbon Management Commission. Today, a new federal focus on oil and gas production and the resurgence of fossil-fuel-based electric generating resources have driven new demands for production in the oil and gas sector.  Hear a panel of experts discuss the whipsaw and interplay of state and federal regulations, and how they impact the industry.     

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM Federal Updates

The first year of the Trump presidency has brought numerous changes to electric utilities and the renewable energy marketplace.  Our panel of experts will discuss past and upcoming changes, including tariffs, the cancellation of renewable energy grant funding, changes to tax credits, issuance of DOE section 202(c) orders, NEPA and permitting reforms, state and federal regulation of data centers, and how these changes will shape the energy landscape in the coming years.   

CLE Statement:
This program is eligible for 4.6 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 5.6 hours of CLE credit for 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules. EBA is applying for In-Person CLE credit in CO. If you need credit in another state, please contact Odwelley@eba-net.org before the conference.

To Receive CLE Credit:

If you have met the participation requirements, you will receive a personalized CLE affidavit from mcle-eba@americanbar.org for the program at which you attended at least one session to completion. Please check your spam or junk folders as these emails often end up there. Please note you will fill out one affidavit for the full event. Once you complete the affidavit, you will be able to download your certificate(s) of attendance and they will be emailed to you as well from mcle-eba@americanbar.org.

Scholarships:

EBA offers eligible student, government, and academic members discounts on the rates for most EBA programs which carry CLE credits, including EBA’s Annual and Mid-Year Meetings. EBA will, on a case-by-case basis, consider requests from members to attend EBA programs at a discounted rate. Discount requests must be made to EBA’s office at least fifteen days prior to the close of regular registration for the program in question. Requests will be considered by EBA if timely and complete. Discount requests must demonstrate a substantial financial hardship. Please submit your requests to jhannan@eba-net.org.