As Co-Chair of the Renewable Energy Industry Group and Co-Chair of the Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group, Chris Colyer utilizes his unique combined environmental, real estate and land use, and administrative law experience to assist clients with the development, acquisition, permitting, financing, and operation of renewable energy, industrial, commercial, and residential projects in Arizona and the western United States.
Chris’ renewable energy practice includes representing clients with the development, siting, financing, and permitting of utility-scale solar and wind facilities, renewable natural gas and hydrogen projects, and related infrastructure on public, private and tribal lands. His environmental practice includes advising clients on complex environmental issues associated with real estate and corporate transactions and representing clients in federal, state, and local permitting matters, including air quality, hazardous waste, water quality, underground storage tank, and Superfund compliance.
Chris' real estate, land use, and administrative law practice includes representing large and medium-sized companies with municipal zoning approvals, liquor licensing, and other state and local governmental permitting issues. Chris also advises clients regarding compliance with federal and state advertising and marketing laws.
Renewable Energy
Represented numerous energy generation facilities in obtaining all necessary state and local permits and approvals, including air, water, and land use permits
Frequently assisted developers of utility-scale solar and wind projects through the preparation of permitting and regulatory opinions for third party lenders and tax equity investors
Advised multiple lenders and tax equity investors regarding permitting, regulatory and real estate issues relating to financing transactions for utility-scale renewable energy and transmission projects
Represented developers with acquisitions of multiple renewable energy projects in Arizona
Assisted developer of 300 MW solar and battery project with respect to all facets of development, including property acquisition, leasing, and land use entitlements
Advised multiple clients with acquisitions of real estate interests from the Arizona State Land Department for solar and wind facilities
Represented energy company regarding the development, zoning, and environmental permitting of a utility-scale solar facility in Maricopa County, Arizona
Advised client regarding compliance with renewable energy and business leasing requirements under federal and tribal laws for proposed solar facility on tribal land
Drafted and negotiated construction, engineering and maintenance agreements for the development and operation of renewable energy facilities
Environmental & Natural Resources
Assisted multiple clients, including REITs, developers, and institutional investors, with environmental due diligence and management of environmental liabilities associated with the acquisition of over 500 properties in nearly every state
Represented multiple clients, including manufacturers, dry cleaners, and others, in complex civil suits alleging claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Arizona Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF)
Defended clients against United States Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions alleging violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substances Control Act and Clean Air Act
Drafted complex environmental agreements for the investigation, remediation, and leasing of aircraft facilities at large international airport
Counseled and advised client regarding environmental compliance requirements related to the purchase of 20 gas stations
Performed environmental due diligence on behalf of potential purchasers and investors regarding environmental issues at various Arizona mines, including compliance with federal, state, and local environmental permits and licenses
Advised client regarding Arizona Aquifer Protection Permit, municipal and non-municipal solid waste landfill programs, municipal floodplain and related environmental permit issues and requirements in connection with the proposed redevelopment of a former solid waste landfill
Real Estate & Land Use
Represented clients through all aspects of the land use entitlement process, including obtaining rezonings, site plan approvals, variances, use permits, and administrative approvals from city and town councils, county boards of supervisors, municipal boards of adjustment, and planning and development departments throughout Arizona, including within the City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, City of Tempe, Town of Gilbert, City of Eloy, City of Coolidge, Maricopa County, Pinal County, and Yuma County
Represented home builder in rezoning and entitlement of 170-unit single-family subdivision in Phoenix, Arizona
Assisted client in acquisition, development, and entitlement of 300,000 square foot beverage distribution facility
Obtained special use permit and variance for client’s proposed cannabis facility
Other Representative Experience
Advised large international retailer regarding compliance with federal and state marketing laws impacting its advertising in all 50 states
Defended large construction and engineering companies against private party claims alleging construction or engineering defects
Defended client in international arbitration matter against claimant seeking over $260 million in damages for alleged breach of contract
As Co-Chair of the Renewable Energy Industry Group and Co-Chair of the Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group, Chris Colyer utilizes his unique combined environmental, real estate and land use, and administrative law experience to assist clients with the development, acquisition, permitting, financing, and operation of utility-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects in Arizona and the western United States. In particular, Chris helps clients navigate the complex federal, state, and local permitting requirements that impact renewable energy and infrastructure projects, including through obtaining required governmental permits and approvals, acquiring property interests and easements across federal and state-owned lands (including tribal lands), assisting with project acquisition, advising lenders and tax equity investors, and issuing legal opinions for project financing.
Representative Experience
Represented numerous energy generation facilities in obtaining all necessary state and local permits and approvals, including air, water, and land use permits
Prepared numerous permitting and regulatory opinions in connection with the financing of solar and wind energy projects throughout Arizona, including within Maricopa, Pinal, Mohave, La Paz, Navajo, and Coconino Counties
Advised multiple lenders and tax equity investors regarding permitting, regulatory and real estate issues relating to financing transactions for utility-scale renewable energy and transmission projects
Assisted client with acquisition of large utility-scale solar and battery project, including providing advice regarding Arizona State Land Department and county zoning issues.
Represented developer of 300 MW solar and battery project with respect to all facets of development, including property acquisition, leasing, and land use entitlements
Advised client regarding 470+ MW wind energy project in Northern Arizona, including advising client regarding Arizona State Land Department and permitting issues
Assisted client with permitting and financing of 200 MW solar and 100 MW battery project in southwest Arizona
Advised client regarding compliance with renewable energy and business leasing requirements under federal and tribal laws for proposed solar facility on tribal land
Drafted and negotiated construction, engineering and maintenance agreements for the development and operation of renewable energy facilities
Advised energy company regarding the development, zoning, and environmental permitting of utility-scale solar facility in Maricopa County, Arizona
Advised client regarding land use and environmental permitting of renewable natural gas facility
Represented client regarding installation of fiber across Arizona, including through federal, state, and tribal lands
Chris Colyer is the Co-Chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group. Chris regularly assists clients with complex environmental issues associated with real estate and corporate transactions. He also represents clients in federal, state, and local permitting and litigation matters, including air quality, hazardous waste, water quality, underground storage tank, and Superfund compliance. Chris also advises clients with respect to environmental and contractual requirements with respect to aviation, including leasing, permitting, and remediation of airport facilities.
Representative Experience
Assisted multiple clients with environmental due diligence and management of environmental liabilities, culminating in the acquisition of over 500 properties in nearly every state
Represented multiple clients, including manufacturers, dry cleaners, and others, in complex civil suits alleging claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Arizona Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF)
Defended clients against United States Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions alleging violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substances Control Act and Clean Air Act
Drafted complex environmental agreements relating to the investigation, remediation, and leasing of aircraft facilities at multiple large international airports
Represented client against Arizona Department of Environmental Quality enforcement action regarding violation of state Aquifer Protection Permit requirements
Counseled and advised client regarding environmental compliance requirements relating to its purchase of 20 gas stations
Advised clients regarding compliance with federal and state PFAS requirements, including remediation of existing PFAS releases
Performed environmental due diligence on behalf of potential purchasers and investors regarding environmental issues at various mines, including compliance with federal, state and local environmental permits and licenses
Advised client regarding Aquifer Protection Permit, municipal and non-municipal solid waste landfill programs, municipal floodplain and related environmental permit issues and requirements in connection with the proposed redevelopment of a former solid waste landfill
Chris assists large and small companies with municipal zoning approvals, liquor licensing, and other state and local governmental permitting issues. As an experienced land use attorney, Chris guides clients through all aspects of the municipal entitlement process, including representing clients before city and town councils, county supervisor boards, planning commissions, and zoning hearing officers and shepherding clients through all site planning, design review, land division, permitting, and public outreach requirements. Chris also represents clients with respect to Arizona liquor licensing and county health permitting.
Representative Experience
Represented clients through all aspects of the land use entitlement process, including obtaining rezonings, site plan approvals, variances, use permits, and administrative approvals from city and town councils, county boards of supervisors, municipal boards of adjustment, and planning and development departments throughout Arizona, including within the City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, City of Tempe, Town of Gilbert, City of Eloy, City of Coolidge, Maricopa County, Pinal County, and Yuma County
Represented home builder in rezoning and entitlement of 170-unit single-family subdivision in Phoenix, Arizona
Assisted client in the acquisition, development, and entitlement of 300,000 square foot beverage distribution facility
Obtained special use permit and variance for client’s proposed cannabis facility
Represented client in rezoning and sale of Pinal County property for use as single-family residential community
Advised multiple renewable energy clients regarding the zoning and entitlement of utility-scale solar, wind and battery projects in Maricopa, Pinal, Mohave, La Paz, Navajo, and Coconino Counties, Arizona
Assisted client in the acquisition and transfer of over 100 liquor licenses in Arizona
Represented energy company regarding the development, zoning, and environmental permitting of utility-scale solar facility in Maricopa County, Arizona
Represented clients before municipal boards of adjustment and zoning hearing officers regarding hotly contested applications for variances and use permits required under applicable zoning ordinances
Assisted clients regarding Arizona State Land Department issues, including long-term leasing and rights-of-way
University of Kansas School of Law (J.D.)
Kansas Law Review, Articles Editor
Business and Commercial Law Certificate Recipient
Robert E. Edmonds Award Recipient for Excellence in Corporate and Securities Law
University of Kansas School of Law Curriculum Committee Member
University of Kansas (B.S., Business Administration, Emphasis in Finance)
Honor Societies: Beta Gamma Sigma and Golden Key International
State Bar of Arizona
Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section
Chairman (2020-2021)
Chair-Elect (2019-2020)
Executive Council Secretary (2018-2019)
Budget Officer (2017-2018)
Program Chair (2016-2017)
Member at Large (2014-2016)
American Bar Association
Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute
Maricopa County Bar Association
Environmental Law Section
Board Member (2012-2017)
University of Kansas School of Law
Board of Governors (2017-2022)
ASU Mentorship Initiative in Sustainability Law
Mentor
"Renewable Energy and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Webinar (September 9, 2022)
“Preserving Subcontractor Claims for Delay, Disruption, and Cumulative Impacts," Co-Author, The American Subcontractors Association’s Contractor’s Compass (June 2017)
“Getting More Pay and Less ‘If’ from Pay-If-Paid Clauses,” Presenter, DHI ConNextions 2017 (May 10, 2017)
"Dust Control Regulations Impacting Maricopa County Construction Sites," Presenter, State Bar of Arizona, Construction Law Section CLE Lunch Program (November 5, 2014)
"Utilize 'Certificate of Merit' Statutes to Dismiss Frivolous Lawsuits in Early Stages of Litigation," Author, Defense Research Institute’s the Whisper Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 9 (October 7, 2014)
"Searching for a Solution: The Lanham Act’s 'Use in Commerce' Requirement in Search Engine Keyword Advertising Cases," Comment, Kansas Law Review, 56 University of Kansas Law Review 679 (2008)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law, Energy Law (2023-2024)
Southwest Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Environmental (2016-2022)
City of Phoenix Central City Village Planning Committee
Member (2019-Present)
City of Phoenix South Central Transit Oriented Development Steering Committee
Member (2019-2022)
Herberger Theater Center
Treasurer (2016-2018)
Board Member (2016-2018)
Young Leadership Board, Founder (2016-2018)
Finance Committee (2016-2018)
Contributed Revenue Committee (2017-2018)
Objects d'Art Auction Committee (2016)
Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix (2013-2018)
Active Member
Membership Committee
Arizona Myeloma Network
Board Member (2010-2016)
University of Kansas Alumni Association, Phoenix Chapter, Chapter Leader (2012-2021)
2014 Dick Wintermote Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient
Duckhut Invitational Charity Golf Tournament Benefitting the American Cancer Society
Founder and Organizer (2005-2007)
City of Mesa Attorney’s Office, Snell & Wilmer Public Service Fellowship Attorney (2009-2010)
Douglas County, Kansas District Court, Law Clerk to Hon. Michael Malone (2007-2008)