Mary Elizabeth Geiger
Senior Counsel
Contact Information
Email: megeiger@garfieldhecht.com
Phone: 970-947-1936
Fax: 970-947-1937
Education
Davidson College, Davidson, NC – B.A.-French 1994
University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, CO – J.D. -2000
Order of the Coif (top 10% of class)
Court Admissions
State of Colorado (2000) U.S. District Court, District of Colorado (2017)
Bar Associations
& Professional Societies
9th JD District Bar Association Colorado Bar Association – Water Law Section member American Bar Association Colorado Municipal League
Practice Areas
local government, water, land use, civil litigation, mechanics liens, community associations, real estate, business formation.
Experience
Since 2000, Mary Elizabeth has practiced on the Western Slope. Her practice includes most civil matters – from real estate transactions and disputes, land use applications, water law, civil litigation, municipal law, business formation and acquisition and community associations. She specializes in water law and municipal practice, and represents several municipalities across the Western Slope both generally and with regard to water matters. Mary Elizabeth’s experience covers a broad range of clients and matters, whether it is prosecuting a complicated plan for augmentation through water court or negotiating the terms of a lease for a residential property.
Mary Elizabeth represents local governments in a wide range of matters and negotiates with local, state and federal governments on behalf of private clients. She practices in the water courts for the Colorado, Gunnison, Yampa, and Dolores river basins.
For community associations she drafts and enforces covenants as well as advises and adjudicates water rights. In a real estate transaction, she has the depth of experience not only to review the title work and land use matters but also water rights and well matters – covering all matters of due diligence. Mary Elizabeth works with developers and individuals in successfully navigating the land use process, whether it is all steps necessary to receive subdivision approval or to receive a building permit. Mary Elizabeth assists with business formation, organization and acquisition.
Community Involvement
Board Member,Roaring Fork Schools Foundation June 2019 to Present
Roaring Fork School District RE-1 School Board Member November 2014 to November 2019 President 2015 to 2017
Colorado Lawyer Editor, Local Government Section 2014 to Present
9th Judicial District Judicial Performance Commission Member 2008 to 2015, Chair 2013 to 2015
City of Glenwood Springs Planning and Zoning Commission Member 2008 to 2015
City of Glenwood Springs Historic Preservation Commission Member 2006 to 2008
OUR School Preschool Board Member 2005 to 2012
Published Articles/Speaking Engagements
David Houston, Trustee of the David Houston 1997 Trust v. Wilson Mesa Ranch HOA, 2015 COA 113
Darien, et al. v. Town of Marble, 159 P.3d 761 (Colo.App. 2006)
Town of Marble v. Darien, et al., 181 P.3d 1148 (Colo.2008)