Deputy Legal Counsel

Love Colorado? There is no better way to define your future and build your career than to work for the State of Colorado. 

Finding  Your Purpose

When you work for the State of Colorado, you're working to improve your community, impact the lives of those around you, and ensure that our shared natural resources will be available for generations to come. 

Finding Your Passion

Each position makes a difference by helping people, enhancing our livelihood and making Colorado a better place to live. Learn more about the mission of each of our Departments and Institutions and the unique roles they serve! 

Colorado for All 

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 

Colorado For All - Colorado Employee Reflections

WHERE YOU WILL WORK

Primary Physical Work Location: State Capitol; 200 E Colfax Ave; Denver Colorado

Location: minimum of 3 days a week in the office; up to 2 days a week remote

Job Type: full time

Class Title:  non-classified

Closing Date: We will begin the review of application materials on July 25, 2025 and continue until a finalist is identified.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Deputy Legal Counsel will become part of our eight-member Office of Legal Counsel team of six attorneys, a paralegal, and an executive assistant that work together to support the Governor. You will have the opportunity to advise the Governor, the Governor’s Office, and agencies on legal and policy challenges facing the administration, develop creative solutions to complex problems, and work in a fast-paced environment committed to making a positive impact in our state. On any given day, your work will advance the Governor’s priority areas: reducing the high cost of living in our state, creating a Colorado economy where everyone has an opportunity to succeed, providing universal pre-school and free full-day kindergarten for every Colorado student, lowering the cost of health care, and harnessing the economic and societal benefits of clean energy to ensure that our economy works for everyone while preserving Colorado's unique way of life. Each of the five Deputy Legal Counsels has a portfolio of agencies and legal subject matter, but the entire team works collaboratively to address and resolve legal issues. You will use your research and analysis skills to evaluate complex laws, case law, and legal principles to provide actionable advice - sometimes within hours. You will use written and oral communication to convey legal opinions and options, engage with stakeholders, and represent the Governor. If you are ready to be bold, consistent, and joyful in service to Coloradans, we welcome your application.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Have practiced law as an attorney for a minimum of five years;

• Be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar; and

• Be in good standing with the respective state bar at the time of application.

Further, we are seeking candidates who have demonstrated many of the following skills and experience:

• Experience advising organizational leaders, and demonstrated ability to advise on complex matters

• Commitment to public service and Colorado

• Excellent research, writing and interpersonal skills, and ability to be both consultative and persuasive

• Curiosity to learn new areas of the law, and experience in critical and creative thinking

• A strong work ethic, ability to manage several diverse projects simultaneously and manage competing priorities and timelines, and comfortable with successfully completing projects on short timelines

• Experience working in government or politics, with preference for experience working in federal government

• Strong people skills, including experience working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities and ensuring a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion

To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.  

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including: 

Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)

Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)

12 paid holidays per year

Medical and dental plans

State paid life insurance policy of a minimum of $50,000 or 1x annual salary

Choice of 2 retirement plans through Colorado PERA

Voluntary 401K and 457 plans

State paid Short Term Disability coverage

Additional optional life and disability plans

Credit Union Membership

RTD pass

Training and professional development

Inclusion and Belonging

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.  If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Senior Human Resources Director) at gov_hr@state.co.us.