July 24, 2009 - Mayor John Hickenlooper has appointed Greg Austin to the Denver Board of Water Commissioners. He also reappointed John Lucero to the board.
Austin is an experienced lawyer with a long record of public and community service in Denver.
“Greg Austin is a dedicated citizen whose work experience in Washington and Denver and contributions to our community will be a great addition to the Board of Commissioners,” Hickenlooper said.
Austin is a former partner in the Denver law firm Holland & Hart LLP. He advised the firm’s clients — primarily in the area of business transactions — since 1962. He retired from the partnership in 2001 but continued serving as Of Counsel to the firm until this month.
Austin left Holland & Hart from 1973 to 1977 to serve in the federal government in Washington. He first received a presidential appointment from President Richard Nixon as General Counsel to the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was later appointed by President Gerald Ford, with Senate confirmation, as Solicitor (General Counsel) of the U.S. Department of the Interior. In that capacity, he researched and wrote Solicitor’s Opinions on water law issues. Austin does not hold himself out as a water lawyer, but his clients have routinely been involved in water matters. He is conversant with fundamentals of water law and has overseen water law work for his clients.
Austin is also very involved in the Denver community. He serves on the board of directors of Craig Hospital, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System, the Denver Police Foundation and the Holland & Hart Foundation. He is a member of the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee and has served on the Colorado State Treasurer’s Advisory Commission. Among other non-profit activities, he served for two terms as Chairman of the Colorado Legal Aid Foundation and was a member of the board of directors of The Children’s Hospital for 14 years.
Austin earned at bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Hickenlooper also reappointed John Lucero to another term on the Denver Board of Water Commissioners.
Austin will fill the vacant position created when George Beardsley stepped down from the Board in March. The Denver Board of Water Commissioners is composed of five commissioners, appointed by the Mayor, who serve staggered six-year terms.
Austin joins Commissioners Penfield Tate, John Lucero, Tom Gougeon and Paula Herzmark on the Board.