University of Denver Spring 2026

Texas sparked her interest in environmental justice; and Rosey Delaibau, who studied philosophy and poetry but always had an interest in natural resources and the environment. That interest—and the water fellows program—led Delaibau to the Sturm College of Law, where she hopes to partner with Indigenous and tribal communities to advance sustainable and equitable access to clean water. “My family is Indigenous Fijian, and even though I grew up in Arizona, I was raised in accordance with values around stewardship of the land and the ocean,” Delaibau says. “I have a lot of respect and veneration for water.” When she saw the opportunity to be a water fellow in her first year—and to be part of the Denver Law Ascent pre-orientation program, which supports students from communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession—she knew the Sturm College of Law was the choice for her. “Something I really appreciate about the program is how inclusive it is,” Delaibau says. “We have people from all walks of life. Some have known they wanted to be lawyers since they were 2 years old, and for others, this is their second career. To hear everybody’s perspectives is incredibly useful.” Delaibau entered the program with a clear goal of pursuing water law, and the fellowship has kept her closely connected to that dream. Her mentor is Lindsey Ratcliff (JD ’19), who practices at Somach Simmons & Dunn in Durango, Colorado, where she represents clients ranging from private landowners and ranchers to municipalities and tribes. She handles both litigation and transactions, including the purchase and sale of water rights, and advises on rights tied to property. The pair meet monthly, sharing experiences and discussing topics such as the challenges of law school, applying for jobs, and real world examples of practicing water law. They hit it off right away after discovering they both come from Flagstaff, Arizona. “It’s a serendipitous connection,” Delaibau says. “Professor Sassman and Dean Freeman were so deliberate when they placed us with each other. It’s really been my favorite part of the program.”

When DU reached out about becoming a mentor, Ratcliff knew right away she wanted to be involved. “This program is fantastic,” she says. “It’s invaluable to get exposure to water law early on and have a built-in community of people you can talk to. It elevates folks who are underrepresented in the water bar and allows for fresh perspectives and ideas on how we manage water.” For Delaibau, seeing Ratcliff’s success has been an inspiration as she navigates the challenges of law school. “I strongly believe that in order to be something, you have to be able to see it,” she explains. “Lindsey is so generous with her mentorship, not only to me but also to anyone interested in water law. She’s not just helping us up the ladder— she’s building the ladder for us.” Anchored in purpose The water fellows program exemplifies a cornerstone of DU’s Four-Dimensional Experience: designing careers and lives of purpose. Rather than having to wait until their second year of law school to learn about the specifics of water law, fellows are anchored in their purpose from the beginning of their law school journey. “This program is really important in helping students who come with an interest in water maintain that interest over their entire course of study,” Sassman says. “It can be difficult for students to stay focused on why they went to law school.” Ratcliff echoes this sentiment. “If you’re curious about water, having one foot in that world while you’re still taking [first-year] classes would be so inspirational and help keep you grounded in that dream.” Thanks to the ongoing high-stakes Colorado River negotiations, the dramatically low snowpack across the West, and the growing pressures of climate change, the field of water law will remain crucial in the challenges ahead. “I believe water law will be one of the most impactful areas of law for decades to come,” Delaibau says. “It comes with real responsibility—water is essential to life, and the work we do has lasting consequences. We’re planting seeds for trees that we may never sit under, and that’s what drives me.” 

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2026