Thomas J. Tom Ragonetti

Thomas J. Tom Ragonetti

Land Use and Zoning Law

4.0 (1 reviews)
Denver, Colorado
48+ years experience
Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC
Updated:

Contact Information

950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202
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Bio

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. 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.

Practice Areas

Land Use and Zoning Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, Denver (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, Denver (2015)
  • Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Recognized: Real Estate Law
  • Special Focus: Commercial
  • Special Focus: Condemnation
  • Special Focus: Development
  • Special Focus: Eminent Domain
  • Special Focus: Land Use
  • Special Focus: Litigation
  • Special Focus: Master Planned Communities
  • Special Focus: Planned Real Estate
  • Special Focus: Public Finance
  • Special Focus: Real Estate
  • Special Focus: Real Property Law
  • Special Focus: Redevelopment
  • Special Focus: Residential
  • Special Focus: Subdivision
  • Special Focus: Tax Certiorari
  • Special Focus: TIFF
  • Special Focus: Transactions
  • Special Focus: Zoning

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006

Education

  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1977

Reviews

R

Rebecca Moore

2 weeks ago

Invaluable Guidance on a Complex Zoning Variance

Our real estate development group engaged Tom Ragonetti to navigate a particularly challenging zoning variance for a mixed-use project in a historic Denver district. With his nearly five decades of experience, his reputation as the preeminent land use attorney in the region is well-earned. He possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of Denver's municipal code and a nuanced understanding of the political landscape, which proved critical. His strategic approach in preparing our case and his direct, respected communication with city council members were instrumental in securing the approvals we needed. While his expertise is unquestionably top-tier, and his recognition as 'Lawyer of the Year' is clearly merited, the billing structure for a matter of this complexity was substantial. Communication from his support staff regarding routine status updates could occasionally lag. That said, for high-stakes, complex land use matters where the outcome is paramount, Tom's guidance is worth the investment. We achieved our goal efficiently because of his deep, focused practice in government regulation and land use.

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