Members of Colorado Law's incoming class at virtual Orientation.
The University of Colorado Law School welcomed its newest class of 185 JD, 10 Master of Laws (LLM), and 11 new Master of Studies in Law (MSL) students as classes began both in-person and virtually on Aug. 24.
The entering class sets a new record for racial and ethnic diversity, with 36% of incoming JD students identifying as people of color. This marks a 19% increase in racially and ethnically diverse students from 2015, whose entering class comprised 17% students of color. The school’s three most diverse incoming classes in its history were in 2017 (29%), 2019 (33%), and 2020 (36%).
“I am thrilled to welcome our incoming students to the Colorado Law community,” said Dean S. James Anaya. “While the extraordinary circumstances we are living make for the beginning of a fall semester like no other, among us there is solidarity, love, caring, and an optimistic outlook. I am excited about the new year and look forward to what it brings.”
Women comprise 49% of the Class of 2023. With a median LSAT score of 163 and a median cumulative GPA of 3.65, the incoming class’ academic credentials follow upward trends of the past several years.
Colorado Law remains an attractive destination for students from across the country. Seventy-two percent of incoming JD students are from outside of Colorado and represent 39 different states and 116 undergraduate institutions. LLM students join us from across the globe, representing such countries as Armenia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
This year’s 1L class includes the fourth cohort of Leaders in Law and Community (LILAC) Fellowship recipients. The program aims to address diversity in legal education by recruiting and developing students from backgrounds underrepresented in law schools and the legal profession.
New student orientation took place virtually August 19-21 and included remarks by Dean Anaya and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus Charles Wilkinson.
In his welcome remarks, Dean Anaya encouraged students to celebrate their successes and achievements leading up to this moment.
"The beginning of law school, and any new chapter of higher learning, comes with some anxiety. That’s normal. But you should know that you belong here," he told students. "You made it through a highly selective process of admissions that has determined that you are capable of succeeding in law school. Take a moment to celebrate what you’ve achieved with the confidence that you will succeed in law school."
Orientation sessions included a panel discussion with current students about making a successful transition to law school, a mock class with Professor Helen Norton, and a discussion moderated by Dean Anaya and Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence Fernando Guzman about the themes in A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki. The book, which retells American history from the perspective of Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, and others, was assigned as optional reading for incoming students to reflect on racism’s pattern of thinking and its deployment in the treatment of marginalized groups as the country developed, while at the same time providing insights into their many contributions.
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez also spoke to incoming students about wellness during law school.
Statistics as of Aug. 25, 2020.