Jay joined the Boulder, Colorado law firm of Moses, Wittemyer, Harrison and Woodruff, P.C. in 1980 with a law degree from the University of Colorado (1980) and a bachelor of arts degree from the Athenaeum of Ohio (1973). Jay is mostly retired and has returned with his wife Kathy to Ouray County, where they lived before relocating to Boulder in the late 1970s to attend law school and to begin his water law practice.
He continues to consult with the Moses, Wittemyer law firm and with select clients in an “of counsel” capacity. His law practice has emphasized municipal water supply planning and implementation, interstate water apportionment, special district law, federal reserved water rights, and federal endangered species, water quality and environmental protection.
Jay served the State of Wyoming for more than 20 years as Special Assistant Attorney General for interstate water matters. He adjudicated changes of water rights and complex water exchange plans as part of the implementation of water supply planning efforts for a number of Colorado municipalities. He represented a national land conservation organization in the conveyance and adjudication of water rights and changes of water rights associated with several land or conservation easement acquisitions in Colorado. He also assisted ranchers and other individuals in the development, protection and change of their water rights.
Jay has delivered presentations for continuing legal education seminars on basic water rights and interstate water issues. Representative municipal clients include the Colorado cities and towns of Telluride, Avon, Salida, Rico and Frisco.
