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— Property Management Quarterly — February 2015
T
his year marks the 95th
anniversary of the Denver
Metro Building Owners and
Managers Association, the
oldest commercial real estate
association in the area. Denver Metro
BOMA represents over 80 million
square feet, nearly 75 percent of Den-
ver’s commercial real estate. When
the Denver Metro BOMA was found-
ed in 1920, any thoughts it had about
2015 would have been filled with
high expectations. While it probably
would be disappointed with the lack
of flying cars, it would approve of all
of the work the association has com-
pleted over the past 95 years. BOMA
has been leading the advancement
of our industry the entire time. With
that said, it puts pressure on us to
continue to move our industry for-
ward to solve the present-day chal-
lenges that exist.
The commercial real estate and
property management industry con-
tinues to be subject to myriad legisla-
tive and code issues, economic pres-
sures, a revolving door of ownership
and management, leasing and ten-
ant issues, innovation, sustainability
and obsolescence.
Having BOMA as
a strong advo-
cate helps ensure
relevancy in an
ever-changing and
sometimes com-
plicated environ-
ment. Involvement
in BOMA can help
ensure that you are
doing all you can
to manage your
buildings in a way
that maximizes the
ownership’s value
while also providing you access to
a wealth of information, knowledge
and resources to keep you current in
your profession and to become the
most relied upon resource for your
organization, customers and tenants.
BOMA uses its relationships on
the federal, state and local levels to
educate government officials on the
needs of the industry. This is impor-
tant because we are already feeling
the pressure from several legislative
and regulatory issues that will have
a negative impact on the industry
and owners. It is imperative for com-
mercial real estate to have a uni-
fied voice when speaking to these
officials, and BOMA consistently
provides that for our industry at all
levels of government.
The 2015 Colorado legislative ses-
sion began Jan. 7, and BOMA is
immersed in proposals for possible
legislation relating to property rights,
energy, urban renewal and construc-
tion issues. The association is also
continuing its involvement with the
2015 Denver building and fire codes
amendment process, the current
Public Utilities Commission electric
rate increase case, Arapahoe County
permitting concerns, federal terror-
ism risk insurance and many other
issues. BOMA’s advocacy efforts not
only help property management pro-
fessionals do their jobs effectively,
but also increase the bottom line for
building owners.
BOMA was pleased that before
adjournment in December, the 2014
U.S. Senate approved a package of
tax “extenders,” including a one-
year, retroactive extension of the
15-year depreciation period for ten-
ant improvements, which had previ-
ously expired at the end of 2013. This
means building owners can deduct
expenses for tenant improvements
made in calendar year 2014 over 15
years instead of 39, which is a sig-
nificant victory for commercial real
estate. The bill passed the Senate by
a vote of 76-16 and is expected to be
signed into law by President Barack
Obama.
Unfortunately, the Senate failed to
extend the federal terrorism insur-
ance backstop program, known as
TRIA, which expired Dec. 31. This has
been a priority issue for BOMA and
our real estate partners, and BOMA
continues to work to ensure that this
is on the top of the congressional
agenda in the 114th session that con-
vened Jan. 6. BOMA and the commer-
cial real estate industry need every-
one to contact their U.S. senators and
congressional representative asking
that TRIA legislation be extended.
BOMA is a community of profes-
sionals who all share a passion for
the commercial real estate indus-
try. The focus of 2015 is going to be
on how BOMA shares that passion
within our organization and with our
emerging professionals, who are the
future leaders in this industry. BOMA
plans to continue the excellence that
it has achieved for 95 years. Visit us
online at
T
he Institute of Real Estate
Management is an interna-
tional community of real
estate managers dedicated
to ethical business practices,
maximizing the value of investment
real estate, and promoting superior
management through education and
information sharing.
An affiliate of the National Asso-
ciation of Realtors, IREM is home for
industry professionals connected to
real estate management, and serves
both the multifamily and commer-
cial sectors.
As 2015 president of the IREM
Greater Denver Chapter, I am
relieved to find myself sharing my
leadership role with some of the
most experienced property manage-
ment professionals in the industry.
Our goal this year is to respond to
the ever-changing economic land-
scape in Denver. We have our finger
on the pulse, and we are focused on
preparing for the fluctuations and
acting as the resource that property
managers look to when responding.
Multifamily housing on the rise.
Mul-
tifamily housing is hitting record
numbers across the Front Range,
and IREM Greater Denver Chapter is
providing a solution to the need for
qualified multifamily and residential
property management professionals.
The Accredited Residential Manager
designation is recognized as the pre-
mier designation in the multifam-
ily arena, and the complete track of
required courses will be offered in
Denver in March. After attending the
six-day course and passing the final
exam, residential and multifamily
property managers can return to
work exceptionally well trained and
add the ARM desig-
nation to the com-
pany’s portfolio of
staffing expertise.
Legislative
impacts.
Yes, mari-
juana continues
to be a focus for
the industry. Last
year our chapter
introduced the
IREM Legislative
and Legal Review,
which was an
event that offered
continuing educa-
tion credit and
invited property managers to spend
a couple hours understanding the
legislative decisions and case law
that will impact their daily busi-
ness – including marijuana. Follow-
ing last year’s event, 100 percent of
survey respondents indicated that
they would make attending in 2015
a priority.
The new homeowner association
legislation also has our attention.
The Colorado Division of Real Estate
is still working on defining the
requirements and the criteria for
certification, and we were appointed
a liaison to participate in the pro-
cess. Our goal is to ensure that the
certified property manager creden-
tial, and the education and experi-
ence required to achieve it, meet the
majority of the required criteria.
Balancing life.
Work-life balance
has become a cliché and something
most of us have determined to be
unattainable. Regardless of our
background, profession or lifestyle,
we all have two commonalities: We
are all being asked to do more with
less, and we
are busy, busy,
busy! Balancing
responsibilities
and expecta-
tions is a con-
stant challenge.
IREM Greater
Denver launched the Work Life
Empowerment Series last year in
response to this growing challenge.
Professional speakers offered insight
and inspiration while attendees
enjoyed a classic Del Frisco’s filet
and chocolate mousse. It was so
popular that Del Frisco’s expanded
the space to seat more attendees in
2015. This year we are hosting the
following topics:
• Achieving your Professional Best;
• Stop Living Life Like an Emer-
gency;
• Defying Gravity;
• Armed or Unarmed: Preparing
for the Active Shooter Scenario; and
• Think on Your Feet
In 2013, we hosted a luncheon
titled “Tips & Tricks To Put Time
Back On Your Clock.” Every attendee
left with at least one tip or trick to
increase his efficiency and effective-
ness in the office. This event turned
out to be one of the most requested
events in 2014. We are bringing it
back in 2015 and anticipate a full
house and a new list of Outlook,
Word, Excel and PowerPoint tips
that will put time back on our clock
and make room for life.
The IREM Greater Denver Chapter
is excited to offer resources to any-
one in the property management
industry, regardless of experience,
property type or anticipated level of
chapter engagement. Visit us online
at
Associations
Hunter Marr
CBRE, 2015
Denver Metro
BOMA president,
Denver
Mark Polatsek,
CPM
Property manager,
Compton Dando,
and IREM Greater
Denver president
The Institute of Real Estate
Management believes:
• That good management mat-
ters;
• That well-managed properties
pay dividends in terms of value
and in the quality of life for resi-
dents, tenants and customers;
• In professional ethics; and
• In the power of knowledge and
the importance of sharing it.
IREM values
President
Hunter Marr, RPA, FMA
CBRE
President-Elect
John Whitlock, RPA
LBA Reality LLC
Secretary-Treasurer
Earl Behnke, CPM, LEED AP
Westfield Property Services
Immediate Past President
Sandrena Robinson, EMBA
JLL Americas Inc.
Executive Vice President
Jeannie Bernard, CAE
Denver Metro BOMA
•
May 14:
Allied Showcase and
Conference
•
July 27:
BOMA Golf Tournament
•
Nov. 6:
Outstanding Building of
the Year Awards Celebration
Save the Date
President:
Mark Polatsek, CPM,
Compton Dando
President Elect:
Julia Paluka, CPM,
Cirrus Asset Management
Secretary-Treasurer:
Patricia
Hutchison, CPM, Mission Rock
Residential
Member at Large:
Judy Houchins,
CPM Candidate, Legacy Partners
Member at Large:
Scott Goldammer,
CPM, Miller Real Estate
Member at Large:
Lori Moore, ARM,
John Propp Commercial
Member at Large:
Justin
VanLandschoot, CPM, The RADCO
Cos.
2015 IREM Greater Denver Executive Council
