Mark Grueskin
If there’s a hot button issue in Colorado policy or politics, you’ll most likely find Mark Grueskin in the middle of that fight. Whether it’s being litigated in the courts, debated in the legislature, or resolved by state or local agencies, Mark’s keen experience in government and campaigns is sought by clients whose interests are on the line in the political and regulatory realms.
When he’s in court, Mark uses trial strategies that the Denver Business Journal said “emphasize innovation over convention." For Mark's landmark court victories, Law Week Colorado awarded him Lawyer of the Year honors in 2009, 2012, and 2014.
Mark's practice often addresses complex issues of constitutional law. In trial and appellate courts, he has served as lead counsel for the State of Colorado, the Colorado General Assembly, the Governor of Colorado, the Colorado Transportation Commission, and the legislative leaders in both houses of the state legislature. He has been special counsel to cities and special districts across the state that had particularly thorny election or litigation matters.
In the law-making process, Mark drafts ballot measures as well as state and local legislation. He has written successful ballot initiatives that amended the Colorado Constitution and various statutes, including measures to require background checks for gun sales, expand the state’s minimum wage, and increase tobacco taxes to fund health and education programs. He’s also helped oppose amendments that targeted the state’s fair election process, key industries in Colorado, and a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.,
Mark was local counsel to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, as well as Colorado counsel to the 2008 and 2012 Obama for President campaigns, the 2016 Clinton for President campaign, and the 2020 Biden for President campaign. He regularly advises clients on federal state, and local campaign finance law. Given his effectiveness, Campaigns & Elections Magazine called him "Colorado's best election lawyer, bar none."
Mark advises non-profit organizations including various political organizations and state and national trade associations. He provides formation and operational advice as well as counsel about antitrust laws. d He also helps clients develop policy or political arms consistent with federal and state tax and election laws.
Mark also represents commercial clients before executive branch regulatory agencies and licensing boards. For instance, he has counseled Colorado's gaming industry almost since its inception. He regularly assists companies with license applications, enforcement actions, and agency rule-making.
Best Lawyers in America© regularly recognizes Mark as one of the region’s top practitioners. It named him 2024 Lawyer of the Year in both Regulatory/Administrative Law and Gaming Law. It also named him 2023 Lawyer of the Year in Governmental Relations. In his spare time, Mark is committed to fostering effective advocacy in the next generation of voters and leaders. He coached high school mock trial teams in the Denver area for 11 years, including a talented, scrappy group that was crowned Colorado’s 2017 State Champions. In 2024, he coached high school students whose constitutional law team won the Colorado state tournament and earned a coveted spot in the national competition addressing the U.S. Constitution and American government.