Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge

The Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge (RMREC) is a real-world development competition between graduate level real estate programs at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver and the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Finalist teams compete for scholarships, future employment, and ultimately the NAIOP Cup! A panel of highly respected judges make the ultimate call on which development plan is the best for the site. The competition, hosted by NAIOP, culminates at the main event, providing one of the best networking opportunities in the industry. Over 700 real estate professionals attend, including developers, attorneys, lenders, architects, brokers, engineers, contractors and public officials. 

RMREC 2026: Call for Projects

Now Accepting Submissions for the Featured Project Sponsor
Deadline: August 31, 2025

Be the Centerpiece of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge

NAIOP Colorado is now accepting project site submissions for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge (RMREC) — a premier intercollegiate real estate competition and industry event.

Why Submit a Project?

As the Featured Project Sponsor, your site will:

• Receive local and national exposure through the Challenge event and NAIOP marketing
• Gain innovative development ideas from top graduate students in real estate and planning
• Join a legacy of transformative sites including The River Mile, Victory Crossing, Denver International Airport (DEN), and More.
• Help shape the next generation of real estate leaders
• Engage with hundreds of professionals at one of Colorado’s leading real estate events

Key Details

• Event Date: Q2 2026 (Late April/Early May)
• Project Submission Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Sponsor Role: Collaborate with students and NAIOP collaborators throughout the Challenge timeline
• Eligibility: Project sites should be grounded in real-world issues and offer educational value across multiple real estate disciplines, including planning, finance, and community development. Ideal sites allow for a range of development solutions, phasing strategies, and structures, while providing students with exposure to real estate problem-solving and mentorship. The Challenge should support the Sponsor’s current vision and offer an opportunity to shape future development plans, while enhancing the community and fostering lifelong learning.

Submit Your Project

To learn more or discuss your potential site, please contact any member of the RMREC Site Selection Subcommittee:

About the Challenge

The Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge (RMREC) is a nationally recognized competition where student teams evaluate and propose visionary development strategies for a real-world site, culminating in a high-profile industry event attended by developers, investors, and public-sector leaders.

WINNING CONCEPT: “THORNTON GATEWAY” BY BLUE JAY DEVELOPMENT (UNIVERSITY OF DENVER)

Blue Jay Development’s “Thornton Gateway” concept proposed a bold, phased redevelopment strategy anchored by a dynamic mix of retail, wellness, residential, and community-serving uses. Key highlights of their proposal included: 

• 238 multi-family units balanced across studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
• A thoughtful site layout that prioritized walkability, activation, and multi-modal transportation.
• A catalytic anchor grocery and food + beverage mix featuring a food incubator, brewpub, and coffee roaster.
• Use of Opportunity Zone financing, TIF, and public-private capital stack strategies to support the $96.8 million total project cost.
• Sensitivity to zoning limitations and site challenges, with a vision to “catalyze South Thornton” and forge a new community identity. 

CU BOULDER'S “MILLER’S MARKET” PROPOSAL: A VISION OF PLACE AND PURPOSE

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Three Peaks Collective delivered a compelling vision for "Miller’s Market" - a vibrant, mixed-use district centered around a lively public plaza and community-first design. Highlights included:

• A 40,000 SF central plaza framed by The Barns and Rooftop Row dining and retail experiences.
• A fitness collective, affordable apartment housing (90% AMI), and for-sale townhomes to encourage diverse housing options.
• Projected 25-year tax revenue of $45M, 200+ jobs, and 800,000 annual visitors.
• A forward-looking plan that integrated community garden spaces, public art, and year-round activation. 

Though CU’s team ultimately finished as runner-up, their creative approach to placemaking and emphasis on long-term community impact garnered strong praise from the judges and city representatives alike. 

A CATALYST FOR THORNTON’S FUTURE

The 2025 Challenge came at a pivotal time for Thornton, as the city prepares to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) later this year. “We are thrilled to see such thoughtful, catalytic visions for a site that is so meaningful to our community,” said Chad Howell, Redevelopment Administrator for the City of Thornton. “Both teams listened, responded, and offered real pathways to make this a place people are proud to visit and call home.” 

The city plans to use the concepts presented during the Challenge to help shape and inform its RFP strategy for the site — with real potential for student visions to influence future development.  “The Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge not only provided valuable real-world experience for the teams of students," said Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann. It also brought significant visibility to this important project we have been working on for years as we prepare to solicit quality redevelopment proposals.” 

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

NAIOP Colorado and Land Title Guarantee Company extend sincere thanks to all the sponsors, mentors, judges, and city representatives who made this year’s Challenge possible. Special appreciation goes to the City of Thornton for serving as the 2025 Project Sponsor and opening its doors to innovation and collaboration. 

This annual event continues to spotlight the next generation of real estate leaders while giving back to the communities that shape our region. As Brandon Kramer, NAIOP Colorado’s president, noted, “The Challenge is more than a competition. It’s a launching pad for future talent and a real-time lab for solving real-world problems.” 

For more information about the Challenge or to get involved, visit www.naiop-colorado.org.

VIEW EVENT PHOTOS AND STUDENT RESOURCES

View and download event photos: https://naiopcolorado.zenfolio.com/rmrec2025 

Explore student plans and resumes: Student Teams and Proposals

 

     

AFTER PARTY SPONSOR:

 

COMPETING UNIVERSITIES:

                

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES:

           

     GENERAL CONTRACTOR RESOURCES: