Colorado Real Estate Journal - July 1, 2015
2015 has been a banner year for the Colorado chapter of NAIOP. The commercial and residential real estate markets are extremely active, with sales prices and rental rates setting records. The greater Denver and Colorado markets continue to be well positioned for sustained, long-term growth in our community. Institutional capital from across the country (and the globe) continues to be attracted to Denver. Our workforce is expanding as people continue to move to Denver. The cooperation between the private and public sectors continues to be positive. NAIOP and its members are pleased to be a critical part of this robust and prosperous deal-making climate. The NAIOP Colorado Chapter is one of the premier real estate organizations in Colorado. With a membership of over 700, it is one of the largest and most active NAIOP chapters in the country. Our membership is comprised of a strong mix of real estate developers and owners, real estate investors, service providers, and investment and leasing brokers. The national NAIOP organization includes over 15,000 members across the country and brings forth a significant and influential lobbying group. In 2015, the board of directors for the Colorado chapter of NAIOP has focused on three main objectives: • Networking – to continue to expand and create meaningful opportunities for real estate professionals to spend time together; • Education – to deliver meaningful programs that provide timely and relevant information to the real estate community; • Legislative affairs – to have NAIOP represent the real estate community in critical legislation and community affairs that affect the real estate environment. In 2015, the Colorado chapter has provided opportunities for networking and educational advancement in many ways, including: the Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, which put real estate students from the University of Colorado and University of Denver on a challenging project in RiNo; the awards banquet recognizing the best and brightest of the commercial and residential brokerage community; and breakfast gatherings focused on economic forecasts and midyear updates. Most importantly, in 2015, NAIOP Colorado has been very engaged in issues at the state Legislature that impact commercial real estate, its owners, developers and service providers. In particular, NAIOP Colorado and the members of the Legislative Affairs Committee have monitored the dialogue on construction defect litigation, urban renewal districts and legislation, and many other hot topics confronting our industry today. It is the role of NAIOP, in its legislative affairs efforts, to understand critical issues being discussed in the Legislature and provide timely communication to our members to keep them informed. NAIOP Colorado and its leadership have worked closely with legislators and various constituency groups throughout 2015 in order to bring forth positive change for our industry. The balance of 2015 offers great opportunities for NAIOP members and the real estate community to come together to enjoy networking and educational opportunities. Our educational programs, including the midyear forecast breakfast, are upcoming. Most will agree that one of the most anticipated events of the year for NAIOP Colorado members and its friends is Fight Night. Fight Night is being held Oct. 22 and will sell out quickly again this year, so please contact the NAIOP Colorado office for ticket information. I am proud to have had the privilege of serving as the 2015 NAIOP Colorado Chapter president. It is the most dynamic and influential real estate organization in the city and it clearly is “where deals get done.”