Christopher P. Colyer

Chris Colyer assists clients with transactional and litigation issues in the areas of environmental and natural resources, real estate, construction and administrative law. 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 and litigation matters, including air quality, hazardous waste, water quality, underground storage tank and Superfund compliance. Chris' real estate 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. He also focuses on renewable energy regulation and development, including contracting, leasing and permitting of solar and wind energy facilities on public, private and tribal lands. Chris’ construction practice includes negotiating and drafting construction contracts and representing owners and contractors in construction defect and payment disputes.

Representative Presentations and Publications

• 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)
• Construction In The Courts, Co-Author, The American Subcontractors Association’s Contractor’s Compass (December 2015)
• 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)
• The Obama Administration and EPA Issue Aggressive Clean Power Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Existing Power Plants, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (August 6, 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)
• D.C. Circuit Validates EPA's Consultation Process for Reviewing Clean Water Act Permits, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 2014)
• EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Significantly Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 2014)
• EPA Approves Maricopa County’s Five Percent Dust Plan, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (June 6, 2014)
• Performing All Appropriate Inquiry Under the ASTM E1527-13 Standard, Co-Author, Arizona State Law Journal, 46 Ariz. St.L.J. 449 (2014)
• EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Significantly Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 10, 2014)
• The Department of the Interior Issues New Rules Regulating the Leasing of Tribal Lands, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (December 7, 2012)
• Doing Business in Arizona: A Legal Guide, 'Environmental', Chapter Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer, 4th Edition (2012)
• EPA Finalizes and Revises Its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Under Construction Newsletter (December 2011)
• American Electric Power Co., Inc. v. Connecticut: The United States Supreme Court Holds that the Clean Air Act Preempts Federal Common Law, But Deadlocks on Standing Issues, Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (June 24, 2011)
• The Maricopa County PM-10 5% Plan: An Overview of EPA's Proposed Disapproval, Co-Author, 43 Arizona State Law Journal 879 (2011)
• 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)

Professional Recognition and Awards

•Southwest Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition, Environmental (2016-2020)

Community Involvement

•City of Phoenix Central City Village Planning Committee
•Member
•City of Phoenix South Central Transit Oriented Development Steering Committee
•Member
•Herberger Theater Center
•Treasurer
•Board Member
•Young Leadership Board, Founder
•Finance Committee
•Contributed Revenue Committee
•Objects d'Art Auction Committee
•Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix
•Active Member
•Membership Committee
•Arizona Myeloma Network
•Board Member
•University of Kansas Alumni Association, Phoenix Chapter, Chapter Leader
•2014 Dick Wintermote Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient
•Duckhut Invitational Charity Golf Tournament Benefitting the American Cancer Society
•Founder and Organizer

Other 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)

Related News & Events

• Apr 19
Southwest Super Lawyers Recognizes 62 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in its 2019 Rankings

• Apr 24
Southwest Super Lawyers Recognizes 69 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in its 2018 Rankings

• May 16
Snell & Wilmer Partner Christopher P. Colyer Selected to Serve on The University of Kansas School of Law Board of Governors

• Apr 12
Southwest Super Lawyers 2017 Recognizes 69 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Dec 19
Snell & Wilmer Elects New Partners and Counsel

• Apr 11
Southwest Super Lawyers 2016 Recognizes 73 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Nov 17
University of Kansas Alumni Association Honors Attorney Christopher Colyer with 2014 Dick Wintermote Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award

• Apr 18
Herberger Theatre Center Elects Snell & Wilmer Attorney Christopher Colyer to its Board of Directors

• Dec 18
Snell & Wilmer Attorney Christopher Colyer Named Phoenix Chapter Leader of the University of Kansas Alumni Association

• Apr 01
Lender Liability for Clean Water Compliance

Related Publications

• Sep 01
Legal Alert - Clean Water Rule Halted in Arizona and 12 Other States

• Aug 06
Legal Alert - The Obama Administration and EPA Issue Aggressive Clean Power Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Existing Power Plants

• Jul 29
Legal Alert - D.C. Circuit Validates EPA’s Consultation Process for Reviewing Clean Water Act Permits

• Jul 10
Legal Alert - EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Significantly Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

• Jun 06
Legal Alert - EPA Approves Maricopa County’s Five Percent Dust Plan

• Jul 31
Legal Alert - Recent Developments Related to Doing Business on Indian Lands

• Dec 07
Legal Alert - The Department of the Interior Issues New Rules Regulating the Leasing of Tribal Lands

• Dec 13
Under Construction - December 2011

• Jun 24
Legal Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Holds Clean Air Act Preempts Federal Common Law