EXHIBIT 5.1
July 7, 2000
Qwest Communications International Inc.
700 Qwest Tower
555 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") on July 7, 2000 (the "Registration Statement") by
Qwest Communications International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), 54,167,544 shares of its common
stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock").
As special counsel for the Company, we have examined such
documents and reviewed such questions of law as we have considered
necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. Based on
the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock, when sold and delivered by the Company, will be legally
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or under the
rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours,
HOLME ROBERTS & OWEN LLP
By: /s/ Thomas A. Richardson
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Thomas A. Richardson
