Thomas J. Ragonetti

Overview

Tom Ragonetti has been frequently referred to as the preeminent land use attorney in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. His practice is focused on land use, government regulation, public-private transactions and related matters. He is a recognized specialist in land use planning and regulation, public finance for private development, annexation, urban development, zoning and historic preservation. Beyond his unparalleled expertise in land use and governmental regulation, Tom has comprehensive and diverse experience in real estate, construction and eminent domain matters.

Tom is keenly interested—both personally and professionally—in Colorado and Denver development issues. He has been working in the area for over 40 years. He has authored, and served as lead advocate for, comprehensive growth management legislation in the State of Colorado. Additionally, Tom is an adjunct professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado at Denver, where he teaches in the Urban and Regional Planning program. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Denver College of Law, where he teaches Land Use Planning. Tom has served on numerous civic boards and commissions devoted to city planning and community development, and he is a frequent speaker at and chair of local and national continuing legal education programs concerning land use topics.

Prior to his career in law, Tom received a design degree in city and regional planning and worked in urban planning and public financing capacities for the City of Boston, the Economic Consultants Organization, Inc., the State of New York and the United Nations.

Speaking & Publications

• Adjunct Professor in University of Denver Sturm College of Law; course – Land Use Planning; seminar – New American Landscape (1993 – present)
• Adjunct Professor in University of Colorado College of Architecture and Planning; courses – Growth Management; The New American Landscape (1990 – present)
• Chairs and frequently speaks in CLE International programs on Land Use
• Co-author, Colorado Among Leaders in Real Estate Market, Law Week Colorado (November 19, 2012)
• Contributing Author, Chapter 5-Land Use Regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities, in Colorado Medical Marijuana Law by Ann Toney, JD (2012)

Awards & Involvement

• Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute: Chairman of the Board (formerly President)
• The Colorado Blue Ribbon Panel on Housing:  Co-Chair
• Colorado Land Use Commission
• Land Use and Governance Task Force of Governor Romer’s Smart Growth and Development Program
• Governor Romer’s CEO (Colorado Executives For Opportunity) Committee
• Mayor Wellington Webb’s Downtown Denver Zoning Committee
• Denver Business Journal Who’s Who
• Best Lawyers in America: Real Estate Law; Land Use and Zoning Law (2006-2027)
• Land Use Lawyer of the Year (2015 and 2025)
• Colorado Super Lawyers List (2006-2019)
• Listed in “Band One” in each of the Top Land Use, Real Estate and Hotels and Leisure Lawyers in Chambers USA – Colorado
• Listed as one of ten lawyers in the Denver Business Journal’s “Power Book” (2006, 2009, 2011)
• Denver Business Journal Special Recognition for Professional Services
• Winner of the 2014 Corporate International Magazine Global Award “Land Use Law-Attorney of the Year in Colorado”
• “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell

Jurisdiction

• State of Colorado
• American Bar Association
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association

Education

• J.D., Harvard Law School (1977); Cum Laude
• M.R.P., Cornell University (1973); National Science Foundation Fellow
• B.A., Cornell University (1971); Summa Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa

Insights