Sturm College of Law Welcomes 2026 Incoming Class
Incoming Sturm College of Law students assemble on the steps of the Ricketson Law Building on August 20, 2026.
Monday, August 24, marked the start of the fall semester for students at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
This year, admissions officers reviewed 2,554 applications before enrolling the incoming class of 276 JD students. Of those, 233 will attend full time and 43 part time. Students come to Denver Law from 39 different states and hold degrees from 142 undergraduate institutions. The median age of the class is 24, and 60% are female.
The Class of 2026 enters with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.70 and a median LSAT score of 161 (both increased from last year), reflecting the academic strength of the cohort. Students will have access to a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, including seven in-house clinics in the Student Law Office and 748 externship placements. Scholarship support is stronger than last year, with 72% of students receiving awards ranging from $19,500 to full tuition plus stipend.* Learn more about our incoming class.
*As of the first day of class, August 24, 2026. Data not yet verified for ABA Required Disclosures.
Orientation
Orientation for new full-time JD and graduate students began on Tuesday, August 18, and kicked off with remarks to the incoming class from Colorado Supreme Court Justice Susan Blanco. Influenced by her participation in speech and debate teams while in college, she chose the path to becoming a lawyer and embraced the knowledge that you don't always know where your journey will lead. Justice Blanco emphasized that lawyers are guardians of civil rights, especially during times when we see those rights being eroded. She concluded saying that "Your differences are your contributions. Your identity is your strength," and to "Practice as you want to see the legal profession look like."
Day of Service
In alignment with the University of Denver’s mission to be a private university dedicated to the public good, the Sturm College of Law continued its Day of Service tradition for an 11th year, with each incoming full-time 1L student participating in a service activity on the morning of Wednesday, August 19. Over 230 students chose from 16 different projects associated with 10 service organizations in the Denver area, helping to address both legal and non-legal needs of community members while building relationships with their new peers.
At multiple Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations in Arvada, Denver, and Aurora, as well as at multiple Arc stores, students assisted with organizing donations, assisting customers, and stocking items on sales floors. Others braved the elements to perform yard work, landscaping, and trash removal for Volunteers of America Yard Angels and Denver Parks and Recreation.
In a direct application of their future profession, nearly two dozen students volunteered with Metro Volunteer Lawyers, assisting with initial court filings for low-income individuals and learning more about the organization’s pro bono programs. Other participating organizations included Florence Crittenton Services, Food Bank of the Rockies, Metro Caring, and Project C.U.R.E.
Professor Alexi Freeman, associate dean of community support and engagement and director of externships and social justice initiatives, leads the activity annually. According to Freeman, “We want students to recognize early how important it is to give back in both legal and non-legal ways. We hope this session reminds them of the university’s mission to be a great university dedicated to the public good and lawyers’ obligations to public service.”
