Peter Nichols is a lawyer practicing water, environmental, conservation, and related law. Mr. Nichols served as the first Executive Director of the Colorado Water Trust.
He is the principal co-author of several books, including Water Rights Handbook for Colorado Conservation Professionals and Acquiring, Using and Protecting Water in Colorado. He has also been published in many scholarly legal journals and other periodicals, including the University of Denver Water law Review. In addition to writing, he is a frequent presenter on water and conservation issues. In his practice, Mr. Nichols serves as special assistant attorney general to Colorado and New Mexico and represents western water users and in litigation involving water transfers under the Clean Water Act. See, e.g., Miccosukee Tribe of Indians v. So. Florida Water Mgmt. Dist., 541 U.S. 95 (2004). Mr. Nichols is a frequent speaker on this topic.
A former legislative staffer, he has been active in the local and state political scenes. He has served on numerous governmental panels, including the Water Quality Control Commission from 1993 to 1999 (chair 1997-1998), the Garfield County Planning and Zoning Commission, and Colorado Governor Roy Romer’s “Smart Growth” and “Environment 2000” projects. Mr. Nichols is also former President of the Colorado Water Congress Board of Directors. Mr. Nichols earned a JD from the University of Colorado Law School; he also holds an MPA from CU and a BA from The Colorado College. Prior to practicing law, he was an international mountaineering guide.