James Eklund: Colorado 500 - Natural Resources Law

Partner, Taft

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 21, 2026//

Partner, Taft

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 21, 2026//

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James Eklund is a partner in the Denver office of Taft with deep expertise in water law. He served as Colorado’s lead negotiator and signatory on the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan and as director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Beyond his legal practice, Eklund teaches at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Denver to help foster the next generation of natural resource lawyers. “Water’s on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,” he said. “It’s not just a resource, it’s the lifeblood of our economy, our communities, and our future. And in the West, it’s the currency of survival.” A guiding principle, he says: “Water is the state’s second most valuable natural resource. The first is our people.”

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