Christopher P. Colyer

As co-chair of the Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Groups, 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 lender and tax-equity investor on the $11 billion financing of the largest clean energy infrastructure project in United States history, including leading all permitting, entitlement, and real estate due diligence for the entirety of the project’s 550-mile transmission line and 3,500 MW wind facility located across 1,000+ parcels of federal, state, and private lands
• Represented Copia Power as local counsel in connection with an approx. $1 billion construction loan for its Maricopa County Energy Center
• 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

As the co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Environmental & Natural Resources Practice Group, Chris regularly assists clients with all forms of 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
• 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

Bar Admissions

• Arizona
• New Mexico

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Arizona
• United States District Court, District of Arizona

Education

• 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

Awards & Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Construction Law, Energy Law (2023-2025)
• Southwest Super Lawyers^®, Rising Stars Edition, Environmental (2016-2022)

Previous Professional Experience

• 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)
• Payless ShoeSource, Inc., Financial Analyst (2004-2006)
• The Wagon Wheel, Manager (2002-2004)

Professional Memberships and Activities

• 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)
• 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

Community Involvement

• 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)

Representative Presentations and Publications

• “A New Chapter for Clean Energy: Final ITC Regulations Unveiled,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (December 9, 2024)
• “Renewable Energy and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Webinar (September 9, 2022)
• “In Case You Missed It: Key 2021 Environmental, Natural Resources, and Oil and Gas Topics,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (May 28, 2021)
• “Environmental and Natural Resources Law Update,” Moderator, Arizona State Bar Convention (December 1, 2020)
• “PFOS/PFOA Primer,” Presenter, Arizona State Bar Convention (December 1, 2020)
• “States Challenge EPA’s COVID-19 Enforcement Policy,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (June 2, 2020)
• “EPA Announces COVID-19 Interim Field Work Guidance,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (April 14, 2020)
• “ADEQ Issues COVID-19 Memo of Compliance & Enforcement,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (April 3, 2020)
• “EPA Seeks Comment on Further PFAS Regulation,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (December 9, 2019)
• “PFAS: The Forever Chemicals Gaining Regulatory Attention,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (December 3, 2019)
• “EPA to Take Action to Improve Cost-Benefit Analyses for Agency Rulemakings,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (May 2019)
• “In-House Counsel Tool Kit: Employment Law Update,” Moderator (November 14, 2018)
• “In-House Counsel Tool Kit: Managing and Protecting Intellectual Property,” Moderator (September 20, 2018)
• “Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Signs Legislation to Eliminate ‘Chevron Deference’,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (April 13, 2018)
• “Seven Months into the Trump Administration, Outlook of Controversial Obama-Era Ozone Standard Remains Hazy,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (August 25, 2017)
• “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)
• “Eliminating Unnecessary Retainage,” Co-Presenter, DHI ConNextions 2017 (May 10, 2017)
• “Trump Cabinet Selections Signal Potential Changes to Environmental Regulations,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (December 20, 2016)
• “Unconventional Business Development Tactics for Every Young Lawyer,” Author, Defense Research Institute’s the Whisper Newsletter, Volume 12, Issue 10 (November 1, 2016)
• “In a Victory for Businesses and Developers, the United States Supreme Court Holds that Clean Water Act Jurisdictional Determinations Are Appealable,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (May 31, 2016)
• “Environmental Considerations with Respect to Land Use,” Presenter, National Business Institute (March 4, 2016)
• “High Court Stay Could Spell Doom For EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” Quoted in Article by Keith Goldberg, Law360 (February 10, 2016)
• “Clean Water Rule Halted in Arizona and Twelve Other States,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (August 31, 2015)
• “EPA Issues a New, Lower Ozone Standard that Will Prove to Be a Challenge to Many States,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (October 2, 2015)
• “ADEQ Issues New and Revised Rules Regarding Agricultural Best Management Practices to Reduce Particulate Matter Emissions in Arizona Non-Attainment Areas,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (July 21, 2015)
• “EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Issue Proposed Green House Gas Rules for Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (June 24, 2015)
• “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)
• “Lender Liability for Clean Water Compliance,” Co-Author, American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment, Volume 25, Issue 4 (Spring 2011)
• “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)