Carolynne C. White

Carolynne C. White

Denver, CO recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP

88 Best Lawyers awards

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Land Use and Zoning Law Government Relations Practice Municipal Law Real Estate Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Denver.

Biography

Deep relationships with local and state governments. Thrives on helping clients navigate complex redevelopment and urban renewal projects. More than 25 years of real estate law experience.

Challenging, controversial and complicated land use and real estate deals are the cornerstone of Carolynne White’s practice. With more than two decades of experience, Carolynne focuses on the zoning and entitlement process as it relates to redevelopment—both infill and urban renewal. She also helps clients identify and manage public financing tools such as tax increment finance, districts and public improvement fees (PIFs). Clients rely on her ability to guide them through multiple regulatory environments handling all the roadblocks along the way to achieve optimal outcomes.

A champion for her clients throughout all phases of a project, Carolynne utilizes her strong local and state relationships with elected officials and staff statewide to ensure that her clients always have the best information and the opportunity to be heard. She brings creative solutions and is never afraid to try a new strategy. Building her relationships with municipalities since long before she began working at Brownstein, Carolynne served as a staff attorney for the Colorado Municipal League and for the Denver Water Board.

Carolynne applies her passion for problem solving to her leadership roles in a several community and civic organizations. She serves on the board of directors for the Adams County Economic Development, Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, Downtown Colorado, Inc. and Economic Development Council of Colorado, to name a few.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP

88 Best Lawyers awards

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Denver, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of New Mexico, BA, graduated 1987

  • United States, American Bar Association
  • Colorado, Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado, Colorado Women's Bar Association
  • Colorado, Colorado Bar Association

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American Planning Association - Member
  • Colorado Bar Association - Member
  • Colorado Municipal League - Member
  • Colorado Women's Bar Association - Member
  • Denver Bar Association - Member
  • DU Law School Alumni Council - Chair
  • Florence Crittenton Services - Board Member
  • International Council of Shopping Centers - Member
  • National Association of Industrial and Office Properties - Member
  • United States, American Bar Association
  • Colorado, Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado, Colorado Women's Bar Association
  • Colorado, Colorado Bar Association
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American Planning Association - Member
  • Colorado Bar Association - Member
  • Colorado Municipal League - Member
  • Colorado Women's Bar Association - Member
  • Denver Bar Association - Member
  • DU Law School Alumni Council - Chair
  • Florence Crittenton Services - Board Member
  • International Council of Shopping Centers - Member
  • National Association of Industrial and Office Properties - Member
  • University of Denver, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of New Mexico, BA, graduated 1987

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Land Use and Zoning Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Land Use and Zoning Law, Denver (2026)
  • Municipal Law, Denver (2025)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law, Denver (2023)
  • Municipal Law, Denver (2023)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law, Denver (2020)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Municipal Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • LEED Accredited Professional - 2009
  • Law Week Top Women Lawyers - 2011
  • Colorado Super Lawyers - 2006, 2007

Additional Information

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Case History

Transactions
  • Superior Town Center
Ms. White recently closed on the first phase of complex public finance and real estate transactions for her client, Ranch Capital, kicking off the 157-acre Superior Town Center Project in Superior, Colorado. This project includes:
  • Up to 444,000 square feet of commercial/retail
  • Up to 373,000 square feet of office, including incubator space and a large, free-standing office building
  • Private indoor recreation space for a multi-sport complex up to 150,000 square feet
  • 1,400 homes of varying types targeted to empty nesters, retirees, small families, single-parent families, and young professionals not to exceed 2,500 square feet each
  • Hotel space for up to 500 rooms

The project is financed with a unique combination of public and private financing, including urban renewal tax increment financing, metro districts, and public improvement fees. Carolynne served as the developer’s counsel, handling entitlements, real estate transactional matters, and overall public finance structure.
  • Glendale 180
Ms. White is presently advising the Glendale Urban Renewal Authority on its Glendale 180 project — a $175 million entertainment and retail venue. The project is expected to open in 2017 and will feature 303,225 square feet of leasable space, with 109,000 square feet dedicated to entertainment uses and the remaining 194,000 used for retail on a 42-acre site.
The project is expected to create 1,242 construction jobs and another 1,016 permanent jobs upon completion, according to the city of Glendale. Glendale 180 will include a mix of public and private financing.
Ms. White is advising on overall public and private finance structure, urban renewal matters, negotiation with the selected developer, and zoning and entitlements.

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