Site Content

The Latest NEWS & EVENTS for Colorado's Front Range

NAIOP Colorado Chapter Monthly Highlights

SEPTEMBER 2021  |  ISSUE NO. 1

NAIOP Fight Night 2021 Presented by Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services

Announcing the Real Estate Ringers and Date Change to October 28
By Fight Night Co-Chairs, Ian Nichols of Flywheel Capital and Brandon Kramer of Marcus & Millichap

Presented by Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services, NAIOP Fight Night is the commercial real estate industry's most-anticipated and exclusive networking event of the year! Join over 500 of the industry's elite for an unforgettable evening of gourmet tapas, cocktails, limitless mingling, and ringside entertainment to include the thrilling Real Estate Ringers Bouts - featuring boxing talent from the local CRE industry! This year's event is now scheduled for Thursday, October 28 beginning at 6:00 PM MDT at the NEW Social Capitol Events in Arvada.

 

Don't miss this year's "Real Estate Ringers" Amateur Bouts (f/k/a White Collar Brawlers) featuring CRE professionals from metro Denver, to include: 

In addition to the exciting boxing entertainment and networking, guests will have the opportunity to win over $45,000 worth of raffle prizes and packages such as: The Unico Locomotive of Leisure to Pebble Beach; Alcorn Construction Fly Fishing Get-Away; Vail Excursion with FirstBank Icelantic Skis; and More!  All raffle proceeds will again benefit Denver Active 20-30 Children's Foundation - dedicated to contributing to the betterment and welfare of children in our local community.

 

LEARN MORE about securing your tickets for the premier networking event of the year! 

 
6900 Layton Office

Construction Corner Sponsored by The Weitz Company, LLC

Featuring 6900 Layton, NAIOP's 2021 Office Development of the Year
By Shawn Donohoe, Senior Business Development Manager, The Weitz Company, LLC

When 6900 Layton broke ground in the dynamic Belleview Station development back in 2018, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock was quoted to say, “Belleview Station is well on its way to redefining how people can work, shop, dine and live all in one place – making it a signature asset for economic development and underscoring Denver’s position as a leading city for business success. We’re proud to celebrate the latest premier office space to take shape at one of Denver’s many transit-oriented development sites.”

 

Completed in September 2020, this sleek 385,000-square-foot Class AA Design Build and it's custom...READ MORE

 

Public Policy Corner

August 2021 Public Policy Update
By Kathie Barstnar, Executive Director, NAIOP Colorado

The Colorado General Assembly adjourned on June 8 after 116 days. This session has been described as one of the most controversial in recent memory and many in the business community believe the impacts will be felt for many years. Click Here for a recap of all the bills that NAIOP worked on in 2021.  A couple of the key bills were:

  1. HB21-1286 Energy-Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards for Buildings: This is one of the bills on which NAIOP Colorado secured a significant victory. At the beginning of the session it appeared that this bill would sail through as drafted. As introduced it would have required owners of buildings 50,000 sf or greater all across the state to benchmark their energy usage AND reduce such energy use by 15% by 2026 with additional reductions being designated by the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) every five years until 2040. Additionally, it would have required severe penalties for non-compliance including a $.02 per sf per day fine until compliance is achieved. NAIOP, along with a wide coalition of other building related organizations opposed this bill as overreaching and too aggressive. After significant testimony in opposition and a threat by the House Republicans to filibuster the bill, sponsors met with our industry representatives and an agreement to pivot the bill to a task force was forged. READ MORE
 
The New Normal Series

New Normal Series Focuses on Future of RE Development

By Jodi McCulloch, Business Development Manager, Crosslands Company

On Wednesday, August 18, NAIOP Colorado hosted the first panel in its Education Series. This year’s them is “Post-COVID and The New Normal”. Our first panel, “The New Normal: Psychological and Behavioral Patterns”, hosted by Katie Donahue, Associate, Handel Architects was a great way to kick off this series.

 

Panelists included:  JJ Ament, CEO, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation; Dr. Angela Loder, Vice President, Research at International WELL Building Institute; and Sarah Le Tourneur, Partner/Principal, EY Americas.

 

JJ shared that it is the talent and people of Denver that attract companies to the area. Industries of growth in Denver include Aerospace, Bio Science, Financial services, Aviation, Broadcast and Telecommunications, Healthcare and Wellness, Food and Beverage, Energy, and IT Software. READ MORE

Member Spotlight

Jeff Goldman
Company: Antonoff & Co. Brokerage, Inc.
Title: Associate Broker
NAIOP Involvement: Programs Committee

Number of Years in CRE: 7
CRE Experience: Industrial Broker; Tenant Rep for Land Acquisition and Investment Properties; Retail Leasing.

Jeff recently moved back to Denver from Savannah, GA where he was an advisor with NAI Mopper/Benton for the 4th largest Industrial Port in the U.S. Learn More about Jeff. 

Max Marcum Headshot

Maxwell Marcum
Company: Marcum Commercial Advisors
Title: Senior Advisor
NAIOP Involvement: Developing Leaders Committee

Number of Years in CRE: 5
CRE Experience: Prior Marketing and Research Associate for Chrisland Real Estate; joined Marcum Commercial in 2015. 

 

Max was recently promoted to Senior Advisor at Marcum Commercial in January of 2021 and he looks forward to growing and developing Marcum as a competitive presence locally. Learn More about Max. 

Get Noticed: Submit your NAIOP Member Spotlight Form to be featured in an upcoming Chapter Newsletter.

 
  • Denyse Airheart, Bryan Construction
  • Silas Campbell, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
  • Shari Canon, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
  • Nikki A. Carpenter, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
  • Victoria Chapman, First Integrity Title Company
  • Todd Cooper, Dynamic National, Inc.
  • Alexander J. Goldberg, Page Southerland Page
  • Maxine Hepfer, International Capital, Inc.
  • Timothy O. Horne, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
  • Kris Kucharski, Prologis
  • Peter Liebman, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
  • Bennett C. Miller, University of Colorado
  • Jack Oberg, University of Colorado
  • Christopher Rodgers, DeVry University
    Matthew Stewart, L.C. Fulenwider, Inc.
  • Travis W. Sytsma, Dynamic National, Inc.
  • Della Wegman, Boyd Watterson Asset Management
 

Upcoming Events

September 9
DL Leadership Spotlight feat. Ryan Good

 

September 15

New Normal Series: Industrial and Retail

 

September 15

DL Mentor Program Happy Hour

 

September 16

DL Volunteer Day and Happy Hour

 

September 21
Building Confidence in Return-to-Work Force Webinar

September 27 - 29

CRE.Converge 2021

 

September 30

Real Estate on the Rocks at Junction Food & Drink

 

October 5
Project Tour & Case Study: Lakehouse

 

October 7
DL Leadership Spotlight feat. Katie Kruger

 

October 12

Shaping the Workplace Webinar

 

October 20
New Normal Series: Office, Multifamily & Senior Housing

 

October 28

NAIOP Fight Night 2021 at Social Capitol, presented by Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services

 

November 11 - 12
I.CON East 2021: The Industrial Conference

 

Coming Soon to the NEW NAIOP Colorado Monthly Newsletter!

  • Construction Corner Featured Projects - highlight your upcoming or completed project!
  • Job Postings
  • Dedicated Advertisements
  • Members on the Move
  • Industry News Features

Interested in more exposure for you, your project or your company, contact us at [email protected].

SUSTAINING SPONSORS | Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP | Transwestern | SUPPORTING SPONSORS | Polsinelli, PC | Alcorn Construction | Interior Environments | ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE | Land Title Guarantee Company - Major Sponsor | Town of Minturn - Project Sponsor | Opus Foundation - Scholarship Sponsor | Brue • Baukol Capital Partners - Supporting | Alpine Bank - Kick-Off | DEVELOPING LEADERS PROGRAM | First American Title - NCS - Major Sponsor | CoStar Group, Inc. - Sustaining | Essex Financial Group | Barton Properties - Supporting | FIGHT NIGHT TITLE SPONSOR | Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services| CONSTRUCTION CORNER SPONSOR | The Weitz Company | MARKETING SUPPORT | Small Giants, LLC | MEDIA SPONSOR | Colorado Real Estate Journal | CHAPTER SPONSORS | Arch-Con Corporation | Brinkman Constructors | Brookfield Properties | Calcon Constructors, Inc. | Capstone Companies | CBRE | Citywide Banks | Confluent Development | Conscience Bay Company | Denison Parking | DPC Companies| Eide Bailly LLP | Evergreen Devco, Inc. | FirstBank | Flywheel Capital | Golub & Company | Granite Properties | Hines | Hogan Lovells US LLP | Holland & Hart LLP | JP Morgan Chase | Kirkpatrick Bank | LBA Realty | LCP Development | Lincoln Property Company | Lowe | Majestic Realty Co. | Marcus & Millichap | Messner Reeves LLP | Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation | Milender White | MTech Mechanical | Newmark |  Opus Development Company L.L.C. | Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti, P.C. | Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors, LLC | Prime West | Prologis | RMR Real Estate Services | Stream Realty Partners | Swinerton | Taylor Kohrs | Trammel Crow Company | U.S. Bank Commercial Real Estate | UMB Bank | United Properties | Xcel Energy

View the full list of sponsors at naiop-colorado.org

CONNECT WITH US:

 

NAIOP COLORADO - WE GET DEALS DONE

NAIOP-COLORADO.ORG

 

Contact Us: 303.782.0155 I [email protected] I NAIOP-Colorado.org
View as Webpage
@Copyright NAIOP Colorado 2021. All rights reserved.

 
 

The Latest NEWS & EVENTS for Colorado's Front Range

NAIOP Colorado Chapter Monthly Highlights

DECEMBER 2021  |  ISSUE NO. 2

 

 

 

Letter from the Editor

 

Shane Mahoney, Engagement & Communications Chair

Community Banks of Colorado

Welcome to the second edition of the NAIOP Newsletter! You get a gold star for reading the first sentence and you’ll be a super star if you read this whole thing – so I’ll thank you in advance. NAIOP hopes this newsletter will become a regular part of your limited bandwidth for industry information. We aim to provide timely, concise and relevant information around the Real Estate Industry in Denver and throughout Colorado.  We will highlight our members, their projects and passions, and promote the valuable affects NAIOP has at the State and local levels regarding the political impact on our industry.


NAIOP has committed to getting six editions out in 2022 – one every other month starting in January. The newsletter is very much a work in progress – as a member of NAIOP please reach out with any suggestions/ideas for future editions.  We are looking for people to continue expanding on our mission and help us accomplish our goals.  We want this to create value through increasing business and awareness of our members – as well as an opportunity to be of service while networking within our industry.


If you would like to be a part of these efforts or if you simply have something you would like to promote yourself, please reach out ASAP.  The newsletter email address is [email protected] or you can email me directly [email protected].

 

 

In this Issue

  • Letter from the Editor
  • “The Current, River North” Offers a Unique Window to RiNo
  • Affordable Housing Requirements Update
  • “Block 162” Sets a New Standard for Downtown Office
  • City Council Approves Energize Denver Proposal
  • Member Spotlights
  • NEW Job Postings
 
Block 162

Construction Corner Sponsored by The Weitz Company, LLC

Featuring Block 162, Class-A Office Space Designed by Gensler
Submitted by the Patrinely Group

When construction commenced on Block 162 in June 2018, the new development’s intended level of quality ensured that the caliber of downtown Denver’s office space would never be the same. Developed by a joint venture comprised of Patrinely Group and USAA Real Estate and completed in June 2021, Block 162 is a 30-story, 606,000-square-foot, Class A speculative office building that boasts state-of-the-art office space and amenities and provides tenants a true 21st century work environment.

 

Designed by Gensler, Block 162 includes 20 floors of office space on Levels 11–30. The façade is comprised of an all-glass curtainwall...READ MORE

Block 162
 

Featuring The Current, River North, Class-A Office Building
Submitted by Schnitzer West

It’s a tall order to promise building tenants a well-designed project that promotes tenant health, wellbeing, and productivity. Especially one that is innovative to be a culture-ready workspace with significant input from local entrepreneurs, CEOs, HR leaders, and talent and one forward-thinking enough to offer a leading-edge view on the world via state-of-the-art “smart” windows.

 

Such a vibrant environment is emerging in the form of the Class-A 238,000-square-foot The Current, River North (The Current), a joint venture partnership between Schnitzer West, LLC, one of the West Coast’s leading real estate investmentl...READ MORE

 

Public Policy Corner

December 2021 Public Policy Update
By Caitlin Quander, Partner, Brownstein

Earlier this month, the city of Denver (“City”) published the “Expanding Housing Affordability Proposed Policy Approach” (“Proposed Policy”). The Proposed Policy is in response to the passage of HB21-1117, which overturned a Colorado Supreme Court case commonly known as the Telluride decision. HB21-1117 expands the ability of local Colorado governments to promote and require construction of and funding for new affordable housing units. The Proposed Policy offers guidance on future policies and requirements related to affordable housing, which the City may adopt as soon as the first quarter of 2022. READ MORE

Denver City Council Unanimously Passes the Energize Denver Task Force Recommendations

 

Denver City Council approved an ordinance on Monday night that requires all commercial and multifamily buildings in the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building electrification. Commercial and multifamily buildings in Denver account for 49% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Denver is committed to reducing emissions and achieving net zero energy by 2040. The ordinance will make a substantial dent in Denver’s buildings emissions, reducing them by roughly 80% by 2040. READ MORE

 

Member Spotlight

Silas Campbell
Company: Boyd Patterson Asset Management
Title: Vice President, Asset Management
NAIOP Involvement: New Member

Number of Years in CRE: 13
CRE Experience: Asset Management, Portfolio Management, Business Center Manager for Regional Portfolio Division

 Learn More about Silas

Katie Donahue Headshot

Katie Donahue
Company: Handel Architects

Title: Associate
NAIOP Involvement: Programs Committee Volunteer

Number of Years in CRE: 14
CRE Experience: Design, construction and coordination for projects in Denver, NYC, Boston, D.C., Toronto, Atlanta, & Madison

 

 Learn More about Katie

CJ Manning
Company: Prime West
Title: Vice President of Development
NAIOP Involvement: Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair

Number of Years in CRE: 5
CRE Experience: Financial modeling, project budgeting, as well as overseeing development projects at Prime West

Learn More about CJ

Marissa Mendenhell Headshot

Marisa Mendenhell
Company: BLUME

Title: Growth Strategist
NAIOP Involvement: Engagement & Communications and Developing Leaders Committee Volunteer

Number of Years in CRE: 5
CRE Experience: Development of pro forma models, tenant needs and development of lease rates

 

 Learn More about Marisa 

Buzz Miller
Company: Stream Realty Partners
Title: Senior Associate
NAIOP Involvement: Engagement & Communications and Developing Leaders Committee Volunteer

Number of Years in CRE: 6
CRE Experience: Worked as an Associate at Brue Baukol Capital Partners, a Senior Associate at Comunale Properties, and a Senior Associate at Stream Realty Partners

Learn More about Buzz

Brad Segall Headshot

Brad Segall
Company: Denison Parking, Inc.

Title: Market General Manager
NAIOP Involvement: Programs Committee Volunteer

Number of Years in CRE: 10
CRE Experience: Capital markets investment brokerage, Asset Management, Acquisitions, Commercial Lending, Debt Brokerage including government agency and life insurance company lending, and parking management/consulting

 

Learn More about Brad

Get Noticed: Submit your NAIOP Member Spotlight Form to be featured in an upcoming Chapter Newsletter.

 
  • Jennifer Aragon, Altitude Commercial Realty
  • Joanna Bartnik, United Properties
  • Bryan Baynton, Aspen Capital Partners, LLC
  • Adam Bellin, University of Denver
  • Katie Blaalid, PNA Construction Technologies, Inc.
  • Colin Bolling, University of Denver
  • John Burks, Kimley-Horn
  • Max de La Bruyère, Lafayette Property Company
  • Jeff Dean, Mark IV Capital
  • Maria Fessler, PlattPointe Capital
  • Jay Filley, Mark IV Capital
  • EJ Gibson, University of Denver
  • Robin Houston, Watermark Residential
  • Michael Kershner, ILC Studios
  • Krister Kroll, University of Colorado
  • Vincenzo Malara, Heritage Title Company
  • Kyle McClure, CBRE
  • Karissa Miller, Pacific Geosource Inc.
  • Cal NeSmith, Ares Management
  • Tyler Nowak, Henry Group Real Estate
  • Conor Okmin, US Bank
  • Austin Rios, Broe Real Estate Group
  • Ryan Wafer, University of Colorado
  • Charlie Wigdale, Comunale Properties, LLC
 

Job Postings

Boyd Patterson Asset Management

 

Position - Assistant Vice President, Asset Management

Work Location - Denver, Colorado

Purpose - The Assistant Vice President of Asset Management is responsible for the administration, operation, and financial oversight of real estate properties within their portfolio in order to achieve the return objectives while minimizing risks.

 

For more information on the position and how to apply, CLICK HERE.

 

Upcoming Events

December 1 

Confluence of Retail & Industrial Webinar

 

December 2

DL Leadership Spotlight & Happy Hour 

 

December 8-9 

Officecast 2021 

December 9

NAIOP & DMCAR Holiday Party

 

January 12

Economic Forecast Breakfast 

 

January 31 – February 2
Chapter Leadership & Legislative Retreat 

February 9
Winter Classic Curling 

 

February 24 

Annual Awards of Achievement 

 

March 23 – 24
I.CON West 2022: The Industrial Conference 

 

Coming Soon to the NEW NAIOP Colorado Monthly Newsletter!

  • Construction Corner Featured Projects - highlight your upcoming or completed project!
  • Dedicated Advertisements
  • Members on the Move
  • Industry News Features

Interested in more exposure for you, your project or your company, contact us at [email protected].

SUSTAINING SPONSORS | Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP | Transwestern | SUPPORTING SPONSORS | Polsinelli, PC | Alcorn Construction | Interior Environments | ROCKY MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE CHALLENGE | Land Title Guarantee Company - Major Sponsor | Town of Minturn - Project Sponsor | Opus Foundation - Scholarship Sponsor | Brue • Baukol Capital Partners - Supporting | Alpine Bank - Kick-Off | DEVELOPING LEADERS PROGRAM | First American Title - NCS - Major Sponsor | CoStar Group, Inc. - Sustaining | Essex Financial Group | Barton Properties - Supporting | FIGHT NIGHT TITLE SPONSOR | Fidelity National Title National Commercial Services| CONSTRUCTION CORNER SPONSOR | The Weitz Company | MARKETING SUPPORT | Small Giants, LLC | MEDIA SPONSOR | Colorado Real Estate Journal | CHAPTER SPONSORS | Arch-Con Corporation | Brinkman Constructors | Brookfield Properties | Calcon Constructors, Inc. | Capstone Companies | CBRE | Citywide Banks | Confluent Development | Conscience Bay Company | Denison Parking | DPC Companies| Eide Bailly LLP | Evergreen Devco, Inc. | FirstBank | Flywheel Capital | Golub & Company | Granite Properties | Hines | Hogan Lovells US LLP | Holland & Hart LLP | JP Morgan Chase | Kirkpatrick Bank | LBA Realty | LCP Development | Lincoln Property Company | Lowe | Majestic Realty Co. | Marcus & Millichap | Messner Reeves LLP | Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation | Milender White | MTech Mechanical | Newmark |  Opus Development Company L.L.C. | Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti, P.C. | Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors, LLC | Prime West | Prologis | RMR Real Estate Services | Stream Realty Partners | Swinerton | Taylor Kohrs | Trammel Crow Company | U.S. Bank Commercial Real Estate | UMB Bank | United Properties | Xcel Energy

View the full list of sponsors at naiop-colorado.org

CONNECT WITH US:

 

NAIOP COLORADO - WE GET DEALS DONE

NAIOP-COLORADO.ORG

 

Contact Us: 303.782.0155 I [email protected] I NAIOP-Colorado.org
@Copyright NAIOP Colorado 2021. All rights reserved.

 
 

The goal of NAIOP Colorado’s public policy efforts is to insure that owners and developers of office, industrial, mixed-use, retail and related real estate are protected from the ever present threats of legislative action regulatory action, and ballot initiative processes that attempt to hinder and/or unfairly burden the commercial real estate industry. By protecting owners and developers, the livelihoods of all real estate service providers, and the cost exposure of tenants, are protected as well. In addition, NAIOP Colorado proactively drafts, sponsors, and works to pass legislation and initiatives that benefit our industry.

There are many ways to invest in the Public Policy Fund. You can invest a designated amount, you can give based on the number of buildings in your portfolio, or you can invest based on the square footage you own. Your level of investment will determine the benefits your company receives.


INVEST ONLINE NOW


 Public Policy Fund Investment Opportunities 

LEVEL

INVESTMENT BENEFITS

INVESTMENT
AMOUNT

LEVEL 1

Sustaining Sponsor of the Legislative Reception and the Legislative Breakfast Meeting; Weekly Updates from Lobbyist Firm; Invitation to attend the Annual Federal Legislative Update Dinner; Invitation to have Company Representative on the Public Policy Committee; Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

Minimum $10,000

LEVEL 2

Supporting Sponsor of the Legislative Reception and the Legislative Breakfast Meeting; Weekly Updates from Lobbyist Firm; Invitation to attend the Annual Federal Legislative Update Dinner;  Invitation to have Company Representative on the Public Policy Committee; Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

Minimum $7,500

LEVEL 3

One ticket to attend the Legislative Reception; One ticket to attend the Legislative Breakfast Meeting; Invitation to attend the Annual Federal Legislative Update Meetings; Invitation to have Company Representative on the Public Policy

Committee; Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

Minimum
$5,000

LEVEL 4

One Ticket to attend the Legislative Reception; One ticket to attend the Legislative Breakfast Meeting; Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

Minimum
$2,500

LEVEL 5

One Ticket to attend the Legislative Reception; Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

Minimum
$1,000

LEVEL 6

Year-round recognition on all sponsor media lists, website, and banners/slides at Chapter events and programs.

$999
and
Under

INDIVIDUAL

Interested in investing as an individual? Sign up for a one-time or annual investment today. 

$999
and 
Under

 

INVEST NOW. 

View the Printable Investor Opportunities Document or Sign Up Online Now

VIEW THE INVESTOR OPPORTUNITIES
INVEST ONLINE NOW
 

NAIOP Colorado 2022 Fight Night – Real Estate Ringers Feature: Ryan "Marsh Madness" Marsh

September 28, 2022
Submitted by Courtney Schneider, Hines

The energy at NAIOP Colorado’s Fight Night is nothing short of palpable, and this year will be no exception – there will be four Real Estate Ringer bouts this year that will not disappoint.  While I am biased in my predictions for at least one of the fights, Hines is thrilled to have our very own Ryan “Marsh Madness” Marsh as a Real Estate Ringer this year!  

Courtney Schneider: Have you always been an athlete?
Ryan Marsh: I had never done anything athletic until age 25 when I met my wife, Caitlin.  Caitlin got me into working out and it became something I enjoyed.  Learning to box for Fight Night is a sporting competition I never had in high school.  
Actually, I guess I was briefly a high school athlete if you consider my short stint on the golf team – that is, until I got kicked off for smoking cigs on the golf course.  I am still friends with my coach to this day, though, so there aren’t any hard feelings.  


Courtney Schneider: Tell me about the training you are going through to prepare for the big fight.
Ryan Marsh: The biggest thing for me is being part of the boxing culture.  This is something you would never get exposure to otherwise.  It is a culture and community of hardworking, dedicated athletes.  Some of the training techniques aren’t necessarily enjoyable, but you have to trust the process.  Huge shout out to Prodigy Boxing Gym!


Courtney Schneider: What will be your motivation in the ring?
Ryan Marsh: [Laughs] The ego of not getting the sh*% kicked out of me in front of friends, family and the real estate community!  I have been mentally preparing myself for the past year since you’re peer pressured me into “volunteering” for this.  But I also have too big of an ego to say no – something I am working on.  


Courtney Schneider: You mention the mental prep, what has been the toughest part mentally or personally in preparing?
Ryan Marsh: The time away from my family – my wife and two young boys.  Huge shout out to my wife, Caitlin, for all the sacrifices she has made to accommodate the training schedule.  And for putting up with my constant jabbering and hype for the actual bout.  October 6th can’t come fast enough for her. 


Courtney Schneider: Anything else you want out there?  
Ryan Marsh: Shout out to Chris Crawford for making my employment at Hines contingent on winning[!] 


 

NAIOP Real Estate Ringer Perspectives: James McGill Reflects on 2021 Win

August 4, 2022
Submitted by Vincent Malara, Heritage Title Company

We sat down with James McGill, Vice President of Industrial Services with JLL, who was one of the “Real Estate Ringer” winners at NAIOP Fight Night 2021 – NAIOP Colorado’s annual black-tie boxing event featuring boxers from metro Denver’s local real estate industry – to learn what his experience was like as our 2022 Real Estate Ringers prepare to jump in the ring on October 6th!

Vincent Malara: Did you have any previous boxing experience?
James McGill: This was my first time in a boxing ring, I grew up super competitive and played hockey, golf, lacrosse, and baseball. I was excited to add boxing to the list!

Vincent Malara: Why did you decide to fight?
James McGill: After attending my first Fight Night as spectator and helping sell raffle tickets I was blown away by the event and super inspired to take on such a tough physical and mental challenge with the added pressure of NAIOP and CRE Industry in attendance. At the time a national brokerage hadn’t put a fighter in the ring and I was excited to be the first to represent JLL.

As a newer broker I also saw it as opportunity to get my name out in front of the industry, all while raising money for at risk youth in Colorado. But my main reason was to take on the challenge headfirst and prove to myself and everyone else of my hard work and dedication in everything I set my mind too.

Vincent Malara: What did your training look like leading into the fight!
James McGill: It was crazy!!!! It was the most humbling experience! I worked out with the Rivera Family at their training facility, which was out of their garage. It felt like a movie. We trained Monday-Friday and sparred every Tuesday and Thursday night. Training included an insane amount of cardio and core work. To put things in perspective , I broke my nose during the training if that can help illustrate the intensity.

Vincent Malara: What was the highlight of the fight?
James McGill: When the fight was called and I jumped up on the ring and saw my whole family, the JLL crew, and all my mentors in the crowd rally around me. It was truly an unbelievable feeling and one of the best nights of my life. It was exactly how I had envisioned it and this experience made me a big believer in the power of manifestation.

Vincent Malara: Has your participation as a Real Estate Ringer helped advance your career in commercial real estate? If so, how?
James McGill: I can't think of a specific deal that has come of it but it has certainly gotten my name out there and given me some exposure to people in the industry. I have met a lot of people through NAIOP and it typically comes up in conversation etc.

Vincent Malara: If you had the opportunity to do it all over again, would you? If yes, why?
James McGill: Yes. It was an awesome night and a great challenge. I also enjoy training for something or putting my mind to something and getting it done. In addition, whenever I have the opportunity to raise money for a good cause I am in! I am happy I don’t have to get hit in the face again, that wasn’t too fun.

 

For more information regarding Fight Night 2022, please CLICK HERE. 

 

 

Public Policy Corner

Learn more about NAIOP Colorado's efforts to advance public policy that protects and encourages responsible, sustainable development that creates jobs and benefits the communities in which our members work and live. 


2023 Colorado Legislature Special Session Recap

December 2023 | Submitted by Erin Goff and Kathie Barstnar 

Following the sound defeat of Proposition HH on the November Ballot, Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis was forced to call a special session to address the impending property tax tsunami. While NAIOP Colorado and a coalition of similar CRE industry organizations encouraged the Governor to include Commercial Property Tax relief in his direction to the Legislature, sadly, he did not.

According to a preliminary report by the Common Cents Institute (CSI), the influence of commercial property taxes on property owners and the Colorado economy could result in fewer jobs, decreases in household incomes, and a $177M reduction in overall GPD.

While the bills passed in November’s special session of the Colorado General Assembly will offer short-term property tax relief, it will be crucial for state lawmakers to include commercial property owners in any prospective long-term property tax structure to contribute collectively towards alleviating Colorado’s affordability challenges.

Below are summaries of the legislation that was adopted and signed by the Governor following the special session:

  • SB23B-001, sponsored by President Fenberg, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, Speaker McCluskie, and Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, increases the property value exemption for multifamily and single-family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000 and decreases the residential assessment rate from 6.765 percent to 6.7 percent for the 2023 tax year. According to sponsors, this bill will provide over $430 million in property tax relief while protecting funding for locals services, like schools, fire districts and libraries. 
  • HB23B-1001, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, increases statewide residential rental assistance to a total of $65 million, securing an additional $30 million on top of the $35 million from federal funds already allocated. The bill provides financial assistance for rent owed and other related costs for Colorado tenants making at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
  • SB23B-002, sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Lorena Garcia, D-unincorporated Adams County, allocates an estimated $35 million in federal funds to expand Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefits, which will help families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during the summer months when child hunger is most severe. Families with children eligible for the national free and reduced-price school meals program will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024.
  • HB23B-1002, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for tax year 2023 to one of the highest state matches in the country. With the current state EITC at 25 percent, the average tax credit is $521. By increasing the EITC to 50 percent, the sponsors project that families will see hundreds of additional dollars back in their wallets next year.
  • SB23B-003, sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, adjusts the TABOR refund mechanism for the 2023 tax year to provide an equal refund of $800 for all taxpayers.
  • HB23B-1003, sponsored by Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, President Fenberg, and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, creates the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax to provide recommendations for long- and short-term property tax relief and evaluate the impact of property tax related ballot measures filed at the title board this year. The goal of HB23B-1003 is to gather leaders from across the state and key constituencies impacted by property taxes to map out potential long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. This task force will have a seat for an individual representing an organization that represents Colorado commercial or residential property owners.

Many of these bills and issues will resurface in the 2024 legislative session. To learn more about the important work that NAIOP Colorado's Public Policy Committee and our partners are doing to protect the CRE industry from costly and unreasonable mandates, please contact any one us:

  • Chris Alcorn, NAIOP Colorado 2023 Public Policy Chair, Alcorn Construction
  • Tyler Carlson, NAIOP Colorado Public Policy Vice-Chair & Past President, Evergreen Devco, Inc.
  • Kathie Barstnar, NAIOP Colorado Executive Director 

Harness the "Power of One Voice" on issues of concern to the commercial real estate industry.
Join NAIOP's Public Policy Committee today and consider an Investment in the NAIOP Public Policy Fund

Return to Top


 

Public Policy Update: 2023 Colorado Legislative Recap

Submitted by Wade Warthen and Kathie Barstnar - May 2023, Posted August 2023

Colorado’s General Assembly officially concluded the 2023 Legislative Session on Monday, May 8th. The CRE community faced several challenging pieces of legislation during the session.

Despite the odds, NAIOP and the CRE community in general had several successful outcomes this year, thanks to the help of several testifying members, our Executive Director, Kathie Barstnar, and our lobbyist, Erin Goff, from Husch Blackwell Strategies. Metro districts were under attack, but we managed to stave off HB-1090 and pass SB-110 instead. We also fought off an attempt to repeal the statutory prohibition against local governments imposing rent control. A governmental right of first refusal affecting certain multi-family properties, HB-1190, was passed over our opposition, but we were successful in obtaining several amendments, making that bill less onerous.

The General Assembly killed SB-213, a major overhaul of Colorado’s local government land use system. The bill would have imposed state mandates and stripped local governments of their authority over land use and zoning. The measure died on the calendar after negotiations between local government supporters and those pursuing a statewide solution failed to find a compromise between the Senate and House versions of the bill.

The final days of the session saw the quick introduction and passage of SB-303 concerning property tax relief and corresponding TABOR adjustments. That bill triggers a voter approval measure on the November ballot to become effective.

The key bills NAIOP actively lobbied this session are listed below, along with brief descriptions and status.

SUPPORTED BY NAIOP AND PASSED:

SB-110: Transparency for Metro Districts. This bill requires that:

  • an organizing metropolitan district include maximum mill levy and debt issuance in a service plan submitted for approval to municipalities and counties;
  • beginning 2023, active metropolitan districts that have residential units and were organized after January 1, 2020, conduct an annual meeting with information about outstanding projects and debt, and allow for questions from the public;
  • prior to issuing debt to a director of a metropolitan district on or after January 1, 2024, a registered municipal advisor certifies that the debt’s interest rate, prior to issuing debt, is the lesser of the current market interest rate or the AAA general obligation municipal bond rate plus 400 basis points; and
  • sellers of residential property located within a metropolitan district provide the purchaser with the official website established by the metropolitan district.

Signed by the Governor.

HB-1005: New Energy Improvement Program Changes. The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) allows certain property owners to obtain financing for new energy improvements, resiliency, and water efficiency improvements. Signed by the Governor.

HB-1023: Special District Construction Contracts. This bill increases the threshold for public notice of bids to $120,000 or more and is adjusted for inflation every 5 years. Signed by the Governor.

HB-1184: Low Income Housing Property Tax Exemptions. This bill expands an existing property tax exemption for vacant land held by a nonprofit organization to build and sell affordable housing units beginning in the 2024 property tax year. The bill also deems certain land held by community land trusts and nonprofit affordable homeownership developers as being used strictly for charitable purposes and therefore, constitutionally exempt from property tax.

HB-1255: Regulate Local Housing Growth Restrictions. This bill prohibits a local government from enforcing or enacting any local housing growth restriction. In the event of a declared disaster emergency, the local government may enact a temporary growth restriction for no more than one year after the disaster declaration.

SB-35: Middle Income Housing Authority. The bill clarifies that the Middle-Income Housing Authority Under has the power to enter into public-private partnerships and specifies that the affordable rental housing component of a public-private partnership is exempt from state and local taxation, among other changes.

SB-175: Financing of Downtown Development Authority Projects. This bill allows municipalities to adopt 20-year extensions for property tax increment financing arrangements for downtown development authorities, following an initial 30-year period and a one-time 20-year extension under current law. The bill continues a default split of incremental revenue, with 50 percent allocated to the municipality that established the DDA and 50 percent allocated to other governmental entities that levy property taxes within the boundary of the DDA. The bill also requires that the base value of the DDA advance by one year during each year of the automatic and recurring 20-year extension periods.

SB-304: Property Tax Valuation. This bill makes changes to the valuation of property by county assessors. The bill requires that assessors consider the following when determining a property’s actual value: current use; existing zoning or government land use, environmental regulations and restrictions; multiyear leases or other contractual agreements affecting the use of or income from the property; easements and reservations of record; and covenants, conditions, and restrictions of record.

 

OPPOSED BY NAIOP AND FAILED TO PASS:

HB-1090: Limit Metro District Director Conflicts. This bill would have prohibited a metropolitan district director or board member who approved the issuance of debt from acquiring any interest in the debt individually, or on behalf of an organization.

HB-1115: Repeal Prohibition Local Residential Rent. This bill was an attempt to repeal current law prohibiting a local government from enacting laws that control rent on private residential real property, or private residential housing.

HB-1118: Fair Workweek Employment Standards. This bill attempted to create new labor standards and requirements for employers in the food and beverage establishment, food and beverage manufacturer, and retail establishment sectors related to employee work schedules and wages.

HB-1171: Just Cause Requirement for Eviction of Residential Tenant. This bill attempted to create a “Just Cause Eviction Policy,” to apply to all residential premises in the state, except short-term rental properties, owner-occupied properties, and mobile home spaces, prohibiting a landlord from evicting a tenant unless there is just cause, as defined in the bill or certain no-fault exceptions, with conditions attached.

 

OPPOSED BY NAIOP BUT PASSED:

HB-1190: Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal. This bill creates the right of first refusal (ROFR), with certain exemptions, for local governments to purchase multi-unit residential properties for long-term affordable housing. Local governments are given the right to purchase a qualifying property for an economically substantially identical offer to an offer that a residential seller receives. Any purchase or sale agreement for the conveyance of a qualifying property is contingent on the first refusal of the municipality or county where the property is located. Qualifying properties include any multifamily or mixed-use property consisting of 10 or more residential units in urban counties, and five or more residential units in rural or rural resort counties, and only include buildings 30 years or older. Residential sellers must notify the local government of the price, terms, and conditions of an acceptable offer the seller has received, or for which the seller has entered into a contingent purchase and sale agreement with a prospective buyer. The timelines for notice, offer, and ultimate closing on the property were amended down to approximately 90 days with the local government required to assert its intent to exercise the right of first refusal within seven days, make an offer within 21 additional days and close within 60 additional days. The bill was amended to sunset in 5 years.

HB-1161: Environmental Standards for Appliances. This bill expands the list of appliances subject to statutory Water and Energy Efficiency Standards. The bill phases in prohibitions on the manufacture, distribution, or sale of certain fluorescent lights and heating appliances. The Air Quality Control Commission is required to lower the emission limits for new water heaters, boilers, and certain furnaces by 2029.

SB-184: Protections for Residential Tenants. This bill limits landlords from using certain financial and rental history information about prospective tenants during the rental application process, and places other requirements on landlords concerning rental applications. Specifically, under the bill, a landlord must:

  • not inquire about the amount of income, except to verify that it exceeds 200 percent of annual rent, or credit score, if an applicant uses a housing subsidy;
  • not inquire about income for applicants not using a housing subsidy except to determine whether annual income equals or exceed 200 percent of annual rent;
  • not require applicant income greater than 200 percent of annual rent if an applicant is not using a housing subsidy.

Violations of these provisions constitute an unfair housing practice, with remedies allowed by law. Additionally, landlords are liable for an initial penalty of $50 to an aggrieved party for violations, and another statutory penalty of $2,500 if a violation is not cured within seven calendar days. Finally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging a security deposit greater than two months’ rent, and nothing in the bill precludes a landlord from gathering necessary financial information to verify that a tenant’s income meets requirements for income-restricted rental units if the landlord receives funding from an entity that requires such verification.

 

SB-273: Agricultural Land in Urban Renewal Areas. This bill limits the inclusion of agricultural land within an urban renewal area. The bill specifies that the land may only be included in a URA if it remains in the same URA in which it was originally included, or modified to include it, prior to June 1, 2010. Thus, agricultural land that was included in an expiring URA prior to June 1, 2010, is prohibited from being included in newly formed URAs. NAIOP is requesting the Governor to veto SB-273.

SB-291: Utility Regulation. The bill makes a number of changes to how utilities set rates and recover costs from consumers. It also commissions two studies and directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to adopt rules regarding rate filings, cost recovery limitations and natural gas infrastructure. The PUC must establish, by rule, mechanisms to align the financial incentives of investor-owned gas utilities with customers regarding fuel costs, including a mechanism to incentivize electricity production cost efficiency by January 1, 2025. The bill prohibits gas utilities from offering incentives to property owners for establishing new gas service and depending on what rules are adopted by the PUC, gas utilities may not charge a customer a fee or penalty for terminating gas service. The PUC must also investigate how residential development drives natural gas infrastructure costs.

SB-303: Reduce Property Taxes & Voter-Approved Revenue Change. This bill refers a ballot measure (“Proposition HH”) to voters at the November 2023 election. If approved, the bill allows the state to retain and spend revenue in excess of the current limit (“Referendum C cap”). With voter approval, the bill creates a new limit (“Proposition HH cap”). Revenue retained in excess of the Referendum C cap, up to the Proposition HH cap, is deposited in a newly created account, to be first used to reimburse local governments (“backfill”) for their lost property tax revenue as a result of the assessment rate and value reductions. Lost property tax revenue that results from reduced mill levies are not reimbursed. Second, the bill transfers five percent of the amount retained under Proposition HH or $20 million, whichever is smaller, to the Housing Development Grant Fund. Any retained amount remaining after reimbursements and such transfer is transferred to the State Education Fund. Money transferred to that fund must not supplant General Fund appropriations for school finance. The bill creates a limit for local property taxes beginning in property tax year 2023, excluding school districts and home rule cities and counties, unless the district adopts a resolution or ordinance to exceed it. Under the bill, growth in revenue is limited to the rate of inflation in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index. The bill includes several exceptions when calculating the limit including revenue from new construction. The bill makes temporary assessment rate reductions for residential property classes and expands reductions in valuation. Under the bill, a dollar amount set in statute may be subtracted from a property’s market valuation before application of the assessment rate. The bill creates two new subclasses of residential property for owner-occupied primary residences and qualified-senior primary residences. The new subclasses are effective beginning with the 2025 property tax year. The bill makes temporary assessment rate reductions for most nonresidential property classes.

 

PASSED WITH NAIOP-SUPPORTED AMENDMENTS:

HB-1233: Electric Vehicle Charging & Parking Requirements. This bill includes a number of provisions concerning electric vehicle charging stations, including electric code requirements, local parking regulations, property tax provisions, and potential charging stations at rest areas. The State Electrical Board must adopt rules requiring that applicants for an electrical permit must comply with the Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code, which requires multifamily buildings to have charging equipment installed. These rules are effective March 1, 2024. Local governments may decide whether to apply existing codes or the new rules to development that is already permitted. The bill prohibits a lease agreement or a homeowner’s association from preventing a resident from installing an electric vehicle charging station on parking spaces that are assigned or otherwise available to the resident. It further prohibits parking restrictions for plug-in vehicles. The bill specifies how parking spaces served by charging stations must be counted towards local government minimum parking requirements. It also prohibits local governments from prohibiting the installation or utilization of charging stations except when addressing safety concerns. From tax years 2023 through 2029, electric vehicle charging stations are exempt from property tax.

 

OTHER NOTABLE BILLS:

SB-213: Land Use. This bill died on the calendar. The bill would have made significant changes to local requirements for model codes, density requirements, and requirements for planning assessments, with the stated goal of increasing access to affordable housing. It is expected that Governor Polis will call a special session for the Legislature to reconsider this bill.

As introduced, the bill would have imposed top-down zoning and land use standards on municipalities, creating multiple “uses by right”, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family lots, middle housing anywhere the municipality allows single-unit detached dwelling units, and minimum density standards in certain areas.

As amended by the Senate, the bill was made more palatable, though still not desirable. Most notably, the Senate reengrossed version included the following changes:

  • Removed most land use and zoning preemptions;
  • Mandated municipalities to adopt affordability strategies; and
  • Removed legislative declarations that attempted to establish traditionally local matters as being of mixed state and local concern.

 

As amended by the House, the bill was largely returned to its original form—preemptions on zoning authority and mandates for ADUs were amended back in, as was multifamily housing in transit-oriented areas. Counties would be subject to mandates of upzoning in transit areas, although middle housing mandates were not added back in. Additionally, the House

  • Reinserted prohibitions on common interest communities/HOAs regarding ADUs and multifamily housing in key corridors and transit areas; and
  • Reinserted preemptions of planned unit developments regarding ADUs and multifamily housing in key corridors and transit areas.

 Special thanks go out to Husch Blackwell Strategies for their contributions to this article.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact NAIOP Colorado Executive Director Kathie Barstnar

Back to Top

 


Public Policy Alert: Governor Polis vetoes affordable housing bill

Submitted by Kathie Barstnar, NAIOP Colorado Executive Director
Posted June 7, 2023

Last night Governor Polis vetoed HB23-1190. This bill would have given cities and counties and their designees the right to step in when the owner of an apartment property has agreed to sell it and take possession instead if it offers “substantially” the same price (Right of First Refusal). The stated intent of the bill was to preserve below-market-rate housing. However, the unintended consequences of the bill were many and significant. An assessment by CoStar estimated HB23-1190 would create a 3.23% cumulative decrease in the value of Colorado commercial real estate, equivalent to the loss of $1.57 Billion in value in what’s now a $48 billion market.

We had received calls from out of state Investment Firms and REIT’s expressing their hesitancy to invest in Colorado if this bill were signed into law. One firm reported pulling out of a deal in process due to the passage of HB23-1190.

Governor Polis understood the challenges that this bill would create. Read the Governor's Veto Letter which explains his thinking.

This bill and others like it will be back in the 2024 legislative session. Our plan is to be involved in the drafting of those to ensure that these types of unintended consequences are identified early and addressed. Housing (both affordable and attainable) in Colorado is an urgent need. Creating and sustaining this housing in ways that don’t add costs is imperative.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact NAIOP Colorado Executive Director Kathie Barstnar

Back to Top


  

Public Policy Corner Update for March 2023

By Chris Alcorn, Alcorn Construction 

The Public Policy Committee along with Chair Chris Alcorn, Executive Director Kathie Barstnar, and our lobbying firm Husch Blackwell are hard at work on behalf of NAIOP members as the legislative session is in in full swing.

The committee recently voted to support four bills:

  • HB-1005 New Energy Improvement Program Changes - Adds resiliency improvements and water efficiency improvements to the list of energy efficiency improvements eligible for C-PACE funding.
  • HB23-1023 Special District Construction Contracts – Raises the requirement for notice on special district construction bids from $60,000 to $120,000 with adjustment for inflation every 5 years.
  • SB23-035 Middle-Income Housing Authority Act – Clarifies how the middle-income housing authority can enter into public-private partnerships.
  • SB23-110 Transparency for Metropolitan Districts – Many of the bills aimed at metro districts would jeopardize their existence as a means for developers to provide public infrastructure and spread the cost to homes and buildings.  The bill aims to solve the issues claimed by those that would eliminate metro districts by adding transparency and accountability to the metro district process and was written by pro-business and pro-real estate stake holders.

And to Oppose three bills:

  • HB23-1090 Limit Metropolitan District Director Conflicts – This bill would eliminate many metro districts by not allowing developers (people with “conflicts of interest”) to purchase the debt in the early phases of a project when the debt has very little value to anyone other than the developer and investors.
  • HB23-1115 Repeal Prohibition Local Residential Rent Control – This is a very dangerous bill that seeks to repeal the Colorado’s current statutory ban on rent control, which would allow counties and municipalities to enact ordinances to control rent in private residential property.
  • HB23-1161 Environmental Standards for Appliances – This bill controls many appliances, but appears to be a back-handed way to eliminate the use of gas appliances in the state by requiring appliance to meet point of use emissions standards that gas appliances cannot meet.

You can access the full list of bills at the NAIOP bill tracker: https://coloradocapitolwatch.com/bill-analysis/410/2023/0/.

Our Public Policy goals for the year continue to be to advocate on behalf of members, to communicate our mission and actions better to our members, and to develop a more robust fundraising program in order to maximize the impact of our efforts on the political process in Colorado.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:30 at the NAIOP offices.  Please reach out to Chris or Kathie to have the invitation added to your calendar if you would like to join us.

Back to Top


 

Energize Denver and Building Performance Update

By Kathie Barstnar, NAIOP

The Energize Denver Performance Requirements updated regulations were adopted on November 17, 2022, originally passed by City Council on November 21, 2021. The ordinance establishes energy use intensity (EUI) targets for commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 square feet and larger, prescriptive measures for buildings 5,000-25,000 sq. ft., and electrification updates to building code over time. The purpose of these new requirements is to push buildings towards net zero emissions by 2040 through increased energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy adoption. 

Energize Denver is launching a new website with technical guidance, resources, and vendor training videos for the performance requirements in December. New compliance notices with building’ performance targets will be mailed/emailed in early January 2023.  

The Energize Denver team is hosting a 2-part webinar series in December to delve into the technical details of the performance requirements: 

  • Register for Part 1 on December 7 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. MT on background of the ordinance, equity considerations, setting 2030 targets, target adjustments, an electrification credit, and the renewables credit. 

  • Register for Part 2 on December 15, 12:00 – 1:30pm MT on alternate compliance options and their minimum requirements, performance evaluation, and penalty assessments. Updates on manufacturing, agricultural, and industrial buildings, and the small building prescriptive requirements.

Please visit the Energize Denver Hub for more information. If you require further assistance, please contact the Hub at (844)-536-4528 or at [email protected].  

Back to Top


 

March 2022 Public Policy Update - Energize Denver Building Energy Performance Requirement

By Brie MartinDirector of Property Management, Prime West Real Estate Services, LLC

Since the adoption of the Energize Denver Building Energy Performance Requirement, I’ve spent a lot of time explaining to clients the details of the initiative, what it means to building owners, and how we can plan for it over the next 5-10 years. The ordinance defines Net Zero Energy as highly energy efficient, all electric, provider of demand flexibility to the grid, and powered by renewable electricity. This really means two things for building owners: site EUI (Energy Use Intensity) reduction and electrification of space and water heating systems.

The ordinance establishes requirements for all buildings in the City of Denver over 5,000 square feet, which is important to note as smaller buildings had previously been exempted from various ordinances. The purpose of this ordinance is to push towards net zero emissions by 2040, therefore requiring all buildings to do their part. The first main target year is 2030, with the goal to reach 30% energy savings across all large buildings in the City of Denver. An essential component to this 30% reduction is the phased in approach of partial electrification to space and water heating systems by 2027. The ordinance does allow building owners to request an alternate timeline as long as the same end goals are maintained.

The City of Denver will provide guided assistance to support both aspects of this ordinance. One support mechanism is a resource component on their website that will be added sometime during 2022. This resource will include a performance portal, how-to-guide, checklists, education, and financial assistance, among other components. The second mechanism is working alongside city building code and permitting to help incentivize replacement of equipment within the timeline specified through the ordinance.

The first step for all building owners is to understand the 2030 target EUI for building type, site EUI for the specific asset, useful life of space and water heating systems, and if all lighting is or has been converted to LED. The next step is to compile a 5-10 year compliance or maintenance program for their asset. 

Most building budgets are created in the third quarter of the preceding year, therefore waiting for the resource hub to be complete may create a tricky timing obstacle. Gathering as much information about your building over the next year will help to determine when and how capital money should be spent. 

The 2030 target EUI for building type (buildings 25,000 sq ft and higher) can be found on the Energize Denver Hub website. As an example, buildings deemed to be office have a 2030 EUI target of 48.3. Keep in mind that interim targets for 2024 and 2027 will be building specific and mailed out to owners in March 2022. A building’s site EUI can be found on the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. This will help building owners and property managers to create realistic timelines for each asset. As owners and property managers await the interim target guidelines, it is important to begin the process (if one does not already exist) of understanding what mechanical components in your building are not electrified and when their useful life expires. It would also be beneficial to complete a simple ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audit which can run around $5,000 or more depending on the size of your asset. If no equipment is reaching the end of their useful life over the next 8 years, other means of achieving the target site EUI will need to be completed. An ASHRAE audit will help to compile possible energy saving components, which include high level energy saving estimates and costs.

Buildings 5,000 sq ft - 25,000 sq ft have a simpler method to contribute to the cause, although all buildings are required to partially electrify space and water heating systems upon system replacement. They must either install all LED lights or install solar panels. The smaller the building, the longer the building owner will have to comply, with the last year being the interim target of 2027. If an owner chooses to go the route of an LED upgrade, one item that will need to be considered is whether the current fixtures are LED bulb compatible or if upgrading to LED fixtures will be the route that needs to be taken. 

The City of Denver and the Task Force is continually learning from the process and will re-evaluate alternative compliance options, technological advancements, targets and timelines as we move throughout this process.  As items are re-evaluated, it is important to lean on local resources to stay in the loop.  The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) is staffing up to implement these programs.  If you have questions before the help center is up and running, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sharon Jaye, CASR Energize Denver Policy Manager ([email protected]) or Daniel Rayner, CASR Buildings Policy Outreach Administrator ([email protected]). 

NAIOP Colorado continues to monitor the rules and regulations as they are developed and adjusted to ensure they meet the direction of the Energize Denver Task Force to include flexibility and options to help us all move from aspiration to implementation.

Back to Top


 

March 2022 Public Policy Update - NAIOP Advocating for Greater Flexibility on Denver’s Affordable Housing Proposal 

By Caitlin QuanderPartner at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

As you may be aware, the City & County of Denver is in the process of adopting new regulations intended to create more affordable housing options and increasing funding for Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund. The proposal, which is also known as Expanding Housing Affordability (EHA), focuses on two main areas: 

  • Requiring new residential development of 10 units or more to designate between 8% and 12% of the units as affordable, regardless of whether the home is for rent or for sale. In higher-cost areas of the city, such as downtown, developers would need to provide 2% to 3% more affordable units. 
  • Gradually increasing the “linkage fee,” which is a fee on development used to build and preserve affordable housing for people with lower incomes. Projects providing affordable housing are not subject to linkage fees. 

Over the past year, NAIOP has been working diligently on your behalf to provide data-driven, pragmatic feedback on the draft proposal. Because of our advocacy efforts, city staff has already made the following changes: 

  • Phasing in linkage fee increases over a three-year period to allow the market to adapt. The original proposal would have applied the 200%-900% linkage fee increases shortly after the ordinance is approved. 
  • Cut the linkage fee increases nearly in half for all industrial development. 
  • Exempted ground floor retail from all linkage fees. 

In order to be grandfathered under the current linkage fees and requirements, projects must meet the following milestones under Site Development Plan (SDP) review: 

  • Concept SDP submitted by June 30, 2022; AND
  • Final SDP approved by August 30, 2023 (14-month window)

This 14-month window is based on median review times for concept and final SDP approvals. Based on other peer cities and as we are already seeing in Denver, SDP submittals have increased and thus review times are likely to follow suit. Therefore, NAIOP is working hard to advocate on your behalf for flexibility for projects that are moving through the review process in good faith. 

Over the next few months, City Council and the Mayor need to hear directly from you too! Please consider calling or emailing your City Council representative and the Mayor’s staff on this important issue.   

Click HERE to contact City Council members.

Contact the Mayor’s Office by reaching out to his staff: Analiese Hock ([email protected]) and Brad Weinig ([email protected])  

It’s important to note that our industry is committed to being a part of the affordable housing solution in Denver, but will not overlook the importance of limiting the potential unintended consequences still imbedded within the proposal. The city will continue to take in feedback between now and anticipated adoption of the proposal in June of 2022.  

Have questions or feedback, please contact Caitlin Quander at [email protected]

Back to Top


 

January 2022 Public Policy Update 

By Erin GoffPrincipal at Husch Blackwell Strategies

The second regular session of the 73rd General Assembly of the State of Colorado is set to begin on Wednesday, January 12. While Democrats remain in control with a 41-24 majority in the House and a 20-15 majority in the Senate, it promises to be an interesting session with the 2022 election looming in the wake of the recent redistricting. 

As is the case every year, NAIOP Colorado will be present at the state capitol actively advocating on behalf of its members. While many issues impact the commercial real estate industry, following are a few that have already appeared on our radar, and with which we are actively involved:

Brownfields Tax Credit

The environmental remediation tax credit (Brownfields Tax Credit) is set to expire on January 1, 2023. NAIOP is working with a coalition of supporters and users of this tax credit on a bill to extend the tax credit another 10 years (through 2033) and increase the annual cap from three million to seven million dollars. This will likely be a late bill as the state auditor’s office has not completed the review of the tax credit. That report is scheduled to be available sometime in January. 

Premises Liability

Last year, a large and diverse coalition came together to educate the legislature regarding the ramifications for all landowners caused by the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision in Wagner v. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. NAIOP was and remains a member of this coalition. The plan in 2021 was to introduce a bill that would reject this decision with respect to the tests of foreseeability and proximate cause applicable to claims brought under the Colorado Premises Liability Act (the Act). The intent of the bill being to establish the tests of foreseeability and proximate cause courts should apply in cases brought under the Act. While this effort did not gain enough traction last year to get a bill introduced, the coalition now has committed bipartisan House and Senate sponsors. A bill title has been secured and drafting should begin soon. 

Affordable Housing 

During the 2021 Legislative session the legislature created a number of interim committees and task forces. One of these, the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force, was tasked with making recommendations to the legislature regarding how to spend the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds dedicated to affordable housing. In addition to the task force, a subpanel was appointed that includes a variety of community members (non-legislators) representing different housing interests. This subpanel made recommendations to the task force which in turn will make recommendations to the legislature. The ultimate allocation of these funds will be drafted into a bill or bills and must go through the legislative process like any other bill.  

Throughout the interim there has been much discussion (both in and outside of these task force meetings) about the local government-imposed hurdles that developers must overcome in order to build affordable housing. Colorado is a strong home-rule state which prevents our state legislature from placing mandates on local governments when it comes to planning and zoning. However, it is likely that we’ll see legislation come out of this task force’s work that creates incentives for developers and local governments to prioritize density. A significant sum of the ARPA funds could be directed toward grands and low-interest loans meant to encourage developers and local governments to build or preserve affordable units. As always, NAIOP will look for opportunities to push for additional construction defects reform that will further facilitate and encourage the development of affordable for-sale multi-family housing.

An adage often heard at the state capitol “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu” is absolutely true. If you do not know who your state Senator or Representative is, look them up here: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator. The NAIOP Public Policy Committee meets twice a month during the legislative session. 

For more information regarding the Chapter's Public Policy efforts, please reach out to Public Policy Chair Chris Alcorn or NAIOP Executive Director Kathie Barstnar

Back to Top


August 2021 Public Policy Update 

By Kathie Barstnar, Executive Director, NAIOP Colorado

The Colorado General Assembly adjourned on June 8 after 116 days. This session has been described as one of the most controversial in recent memory and many in the business community believe the impacts will be felt for many years. Click Here for a recap of all the bills that NAIOP worked on in 2021.  A couple of the key bills were:

  1. HB21-1286 Energy-Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards for Buildings: This is one of the bills on which NAIOP Colorado secured a significant victory. At the beginning of the session it appeared that this bill would sail through as drafted. As introduced it would have required owners of buildings 50,000 sf or greater all across the state to benchmark their energy usage AND reduce such energy use by 15% by 2026 with additional reductions being designated by the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) every five years until 2040. Additionally, it would have required severe penalties for non-compliance including a $.02 per sf per day fine until compliance is achieved. NAIOP, along with a wide coalition of other building related organizations opposed this bill as overreaching and too aggressive. After significant testimony in opposition and a threat by the House Republicans to filibuster the bill, sponsors met with our industry representatives and an agreement to pivot the bill to a task force was forged. The task force will meet and determine ways to bridge the gap from the aspirational goals to implementable actions with a statewide reduction of 15% by 2026 and setting up a plan for future task force input to the AQCC. NAIOP Colorado has been given a designated position on the task force. Stay tuned for updates as the Task Force starts to meet later this year.
  2. HB21-1117 Local Government Authority to Promote Affordable Housing Units. This bill authorizes local government to require construction of affordable housing within their boundaries without being in violation of the state statute prohibiting rent control by exempting local government land use regulations that restrict rents on newly constructed or redeveloped housing units. NAIOP opposed this bill unless amended to provide guard rails on what local governments could implement. A qualification was added stating that “the (local) regulation provides a choice of options to the property owner or land developer and creates one or more alternatives to construction of new affordable housing units on the building site.” It was signed by the Governor and now local governments are considering what policies to implement. Our efforts now switch to working with county and municipal governments as they consider different ordinances with affordable housing requirements.

The City and County of Denver has been very active on several fronts including affordable housing and energy efficiency along with ballot initiative submissions in anticipation of the fall elections of 2021 and 2022. Here are some updates:

  1. Energize Denver Task Force: As an outcome of the recently completed Climate Action Task Force 2020 Recommendations Report the Energize Denver Task Force has been meeting the past 8 months to develop a plan to reduce energy use in commercial buildings to meet the 2030 and 2040. Kathie Barstnar has represented NAIOP Colorado on this Task Force. The final meeting of the task force is set for August 19 after which their proposed report will be presented to the Denver City Council. Here is a link to the latest draft report published on July 29, 2021. As soon as the updated report is available, we will make sure you have access to it and will request your participation during its process through the City Council and Regulatory drafting process.
  2. Denver Expanding Housing Affordability: In line with above report on HB21-1117, the City of Denver is undertaking a public process to involve: 1) Citywide zoning incentive for affordable housing; 2) increase to the City’s linkage fee; 3) requiring affordable housing as part of developments. For more information, please visit the City and County of Denver's Expanding Housing Affordability website.  Please consider sharing your feedback to the City about what you want to see in affordability or sign up to participate and attend an upcoming industry focus group. Click Here for more details

For more information regarding the Chapter's Public Policy efforts, please reach out to Public Policy Chair Caitlin Quander or NAIOP Executive Director Kathie Barstnar.

Back to Top

 
<< first < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > last >>