Matt Smith

Matt Smith of Grand Junction, was appointed by Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, and was reappointed in 2011 by Chief Justice Michael L. Bender to serve until 2015.  Commissioner  Smith served as the Chaiperson of the Commission from 2009-2011.  Previously, Mr.  Smith served as State Representative for House District 54, covering western Mesa and Delta Counties, from 1996-2004.  During that time, Mr. Smith served as Chairman of the House Local Government and Joint Legal Services committees, and as Vice-Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.  Mr. Smith served two consecutive terms as Chair of the Energy Committee for the National Conference of State Legislators, and as Chair of the Energy Council, an international organization of state legislators from ten energy-producing states, four Canadian provinces, and Venezuela.  In addition to passing extensive water legislation, Commissioner Smith is best known for his leadership role in defeating the controversial water measure, Referendum A, in 2003.  An attorney in private practice, Mr. Smith has worked on water, natural resource and permitting issues, and has taught business law at Mesa State College.  He graduated Mesa State College in 1980 and earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1984.