Ralph A. Cantafio
Denver, CO 80206
Office: 970-819-2371
Ralph A. Cantafio, Esq. is a seasoned attorney with over 40 years of experience in oil and gas law, energy regulation, and natural resources disputes. He provides expert witness services in matters involving leases, royalty disputes, surface use, JOAs, permitting, and pipeline infrastructure. Mr. Cantafio holds two energy-focused graduate degrees—a Master of Science in Global Energy Management and a Master of Science in Mineral Economics—and teaches in the Global Energy Management Program at the University of Colorado Denver. He is licensed in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming and has tried over 100 cases in state and federal courts.
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Contracts
- Oil & Gas
- Solar Energy
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Degrees:
J.D., University of Colorado School of Law, 1984
M.S., Global Energy Management, University of Colorado Denver, 2013
M.S., Mineral Economics, Colorado School of Mines, 1992
B.A., History, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1981
Bar Licenses:
Active: Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas
Inactive: Alaska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming
Court Admissions:
Numerous U.S. District Courts, Courts of Appeals (3rd, 5th, 10th), U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Supreme Court
Real Estate License:
Colorado Real Estate License No. FA100013817 (since 2007)
Designations: GRI (2009), SFR (2010)
Professional Certificates:
Petroleum Land Management – University of Denver (July & August 2011) - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL)
Denver Association of Lease and Title Analysts (DALTA)
Denver Association of Professional Landmen (DAPL)
Denver Petroleum Club (DPC)
Energy and Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF)
Energy Bar Association (EBA)
Institute for Energy Law (IEL)
National Association of Lease & Title Analysts (NALTA)
National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO)
Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW)
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF)
Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Academic Teaching:
University of Colorado Denver – Energy law and regulation (2015–present)
Western State Colorado University – Oil & Gas Agreements and Negotiations
Colorado Mountain College – Legal Environment of Business
Professional Lecturing:
EUCI, Corporate Partners Solutions, Petromentor (China), Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. – Oil & gas law, land management, permitting, mineral ownership, international energy law
Relevant Speaking Engagements:
Denver Petroleum Club, COPAS, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Texas A&M Journal of Property Law, Half Moon Education – Topics include hydraulic fracturing, mineral appraisal, easements, SB 181, and more - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Oil and gas law
Mineral rights
Land use and permitting
Regulatory compliance
Energy contracts and disputes
Surface use agreements - Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, reports
Available Upon Request