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The Getches-Wilkinson Center will be convening the 2025 Martz Symposium on Public Lands: "Public Lands in Public Hands – Reflections on 50 Years of Retention History" on Thurs, Oct 23rd and Fri, Oct 24th at the Wolf Law Building in Boulder, CO.

Public Lands in Public Hands – Reflections on 50 Years of Retention History

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act marked a new chapter in the history of public lands in the United States.Ìý In that 1976 law, Congress declared a national policy that public lands be retained in federal ownership and control for the benefit of the American people. Over the last 50 years, that retention policy has led to far reaching consequences for people and places across the country. Today, public lands provide critical support for economic, environmental, social, and cultural values, contributing to the vitality of both urban and rural communities. Yet, the nation still struggles with the effects of dispossession and forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands, most of which remain in the hands of the Federal government. Retention of public lands also presents certain challenges to states, localities, and private property owners.

Despite 50 years of retention policy and widespread public support for keeping public lands in public hands, the future of public lands remains uncertain. Some want the federal government to sell off federal public lands or give them to the States. Others are keen to defend and celebrate the retention policy and their love of public lands.

The legal landscape has also changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Public land planning has proved to be a mixed bag, but it engages the public on the critical issues facing public land planners, including resource development, grazing policy, land conservation, endangered species conservation, and the protection of cultural resources, among many other things. Modernizing the decision-making process has also taken center stage, with debates about strategies for making faster and smarter decisions. Adaptive management has also entered the public lands lexicon, although it sometimes seems more aspirational than real.

This year’s Martz Symposium takes a deep dive into the past, present, and future of our national policy of keeping public lands in public hands. The symposium will convene experts in public lands law and policy, advocates from across the political and policy spectrum, including Tribal leaders, experts on public opinion, and many other respected voices. Our goal will be to stimulate new thinking and fresh ideas, and to inspire a new generation of public lands leaders to build on the legacy from the past 50 years. Please join us for what promises to be an outstanding opportunity to engage with old and new friends and colleagues on one of the most important issues facing the American West.

Registration Rates Early Bird - Register prior to September 15, 2025
General (In person)Ìý Ìý Ìý$225
Remote Access OnlyÌý Ìý $75
С»ÆÊé Faculty/Staff/Student (In person or Zoom)ÌýÌýÌýÌý Free
*Buff OneCard number may be requested for validation of current University of Colorado Boulder faculty/staff/student status.Ìý
Colorado Law Alumni Only Reception Thurs, Oct 23Ìý Ìý $15
*This is only available to Colorado Law alumni to attend the Martz Symposium Reception on Thurs, Oct 23rd. This does not grant access to the conference.Ìý

Registration Rates - Register on or after September 16, 2025
General (In person)Ìý Ìý Ìý$250
Remote Access OnlyÌý Ìý $100
С»ÆÊé Faculty/Staff/Student (In person or Zoom)ÌýÌýÌýÌý Free
*Buff OneCard number may be requested for validation of current University of Colorado Boulder faculty/staff/student status.
Colorado Law Alumni Only Reception Thurs, Oct 23Ìý Ìý $15
*This is only available to Colorado Law alumni to attend the Martz Symposium Reception on Thurs, Oct 23rd. This does not grant access to the conference.Ìý

Registration will close Monday, October 20.
No refunds will be offered after October 1, 2025.
Remote access will be given to ALL registered attendees.
Conference reception, campus parking, and lunches/refreshments included with in person registration.
General Colorado CLE is pending.
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