Obie Johnson

university of colorado - law

Obie Johnson’s interest in public land conservation derives from his childhood along the Gulf Coast of Florida, which instilled in him a deep respect for nature and a bitterness toward humankind’s harmful treatment of it. After moving to Colorado for college, these values quickly extended to public lands through his enjoyment of rock climbing, birding, admiring the unique geology, and simply listening to the sound of the creeks. These experiences motivate Obie to protect every cog and wheel of our public lands.

Since beginning at Colorado Law in 2023, Obie’s guiding principle has been to involve himself as much as possible in environmental law. This started with research work for the Getches-Wilkinson Center in the Fall of his 1L year and has continued through membership in the Environmental Law Journal, Natural Resources Clinic, Environmental Law Society, and the Colorado Law Animal Legal Defense Fund. Obie’s career goals mirror his work experience with the Center for Biological Diversity and his upcoming summer internship with Earthjustice’s Florida Regional Office. He wants to spend his days litigating to protect the environment as well as writing to advocate for more reform of environmental statutes.