NAIOP Colorado

NAIOP Colorado Law Corner - Managing the Risks of Environmental Contamination in Redevelopment Projects

The last installment of NAIOP Colorado's quarterly article and Law Corner page for 2013 is now available on our website.  Sponsored by Kaplan Kirsh & Rockwell.

In this issue of Law Corner, we discuss methods of managing risks of environmental contamination in redevelopment projects.  "Urban infill and brownfields redevelopment projects are often the most desirable options for accommodating urban growth." Click Here to read the full article.

NAIOP's Annual Legislative Summit Held in Denver

Last weeks NAIOP Source recapped the annual Legislative Summit held here in Denver on October 23-24. Various legislative leaders and chapter executives from NAIOP's chapter network were in attendance as NAIOP President and CEO Thomas Bisacquino addressed the crowd, "emphasizing how critical it is that NAIOP be at the proverbial legislative table, whether it is in statehouses, at provinces or on Capital Hill. With the nation still facing political uncertainty..."   Click here to read the full article.

Legislative Alert: Letters of Intent

Colorado Real Estate Commission - Can Letters of Intent be Drafted by Brokers?
Submitted by John Logan, NAIOP Colorado Legislative Affairs Chair 

Here’s the Cliff Notes version of the issue: The Colorado Real Estate Commission has five members. Two of the newer members are real estate attorneys. They’ve both had experiences where letters of intent were claimed by one side to be a binding contract and resulted in litigation. They believe that brokers who write letters of intent may be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, and potentially only attorneys should be involved in drafting Letters of Intent (LOI’s).

Almost 50 years ago the Colorado Supreme Court held that while preparing real estate documents was the practice of law, the public interest was served by allowing brokers to complete simple real estate documents. That decision was (in part) brought about by the then relative absence of lawyers in parts of Colorado, a factor one of the attorney members of the commission pointed out.

NAIOP Colorado believes that properly drafted letters of intent are important tools in commercial real estate transactions and can, and should, be written by brokers. It is important both for the speed of the transaction and to keep costs down that deal point parameters be set out by those closest to the market. It's also important to note that the Commission has never had a complaint against a broker regarding a letter of intent.

NAIOP Colorado Law Corner - Wildfires Spark Renewed Interest In Development Regulations

The next installment of NAIOP Colorado's quarterly article and Law Corner page is now available on our website. Sponsored by Kaplan Kirsh & Rockwell. 

In this issue of Law Corner, we address the response of State and local governments current consideration of prevention measures that could have serious consequences for development in fire-prone areas and "What the proposed rules could mean for your project ." Click Here to read the full article. 

NAIOP joins effort to promote streamlining entitlement process for mixed use developments

Reducing sprawl and encouraging smart growth projects is a growing focus for many mayors and city planners across the country.  But archaic land use laws remain obstacles for progressive mixed-use development projects.  This week NAIOP Colorado joined the Land Use Integrity Project (LUIP), a nonpartisan coalition committed to responsible land use policy.  LUIP advocates for land use code that streamlines the entitlement process while promoting economic growth.

 

LUIP’s mission to research and advocate sensible land use policy makes it a natural partner for NAIOP Colorado and our efforts.  LUIP will enhance NAIOP Colorado’s research and advocacy efforts, engaging municipal and state officials to promote effective land use legislation.

 

“NAIOP Colorado is an essential voice in any public policy discussion about land use and economic development and expansion. Their partnership is a valuable component to the success of our efforts,” said Gray McGinnis, executive director of LUIP.

 

For more information visit: www.landuseintegrity.com.

Day at the Capitol Provides Legislative Insights

On Thursday, March 21, 2013, NAIOP Colorado joined with the Apartment Association of Colorado and ICSC for the 2013 Commercial Real Estate and Multi-Family Housing Day at the Capitol.  The group met in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the State Capitol Building at 1:00 pm. 

The program started right away with a presentation by Attorney General John Suthers.  He brought the group up to speed on a number of issues facing the State of Colorado from a legal perspective including a lively discussion on the reaction of the legal profession to the gun rights Bill's that have been passed and signed during this session.  He also talked at length about the Lobato Case which could have significant impact on the state budget depending on the ruling of the court.

NAIOP Colorado receives National recognition

Over 300 NAIOP Chapter leaders from across the nation, including 8 delegates from the Colorado Chapter, gathered in Washington DC for the annual Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat the week of February 11 – 14, 2013.  At the retreat, the group networked with leaders from other chapters across the country, as well as attended seminars and meetings where a variety of topics were presented and discussed, rounded out by a visit to Capitol Hill, spending a day visiting the Legislative Delegation from Colorado.  On the evening of February 13th, everyone gathered for a gala celebration of the chapters and their accomplishments over the past year.  Eighteen chapters and three individuals were honored and our very own Colorado Chapter received 3 awards during the evening’s ceremonies.  In the Large Chapter designation, Colorado was recognized for exemplory programs in the following categories:

• Education - for the 2011 NAIOP Traveling Circus and Property Fair in which the NAIOP Colorado Chapter partnered with Colliers International’s Denver Office to develop both an educational and entertaining property tour of Southeast Metro Denver.  The event was literally a “three ring circus” lead by Colliers’ President Brad Calbert and Chair Gregg Barker, now with MAVDevelopment.   Features included a presentation by the  IKEA development team, bus tour of various office and retail developments, and finally a circus themed trade show and cocktail reception.  Event attendees acquired a vast amount of information about new, existing and planned real estate developments, as well as ample opportunity to cultivate new business prospects in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
• Legislative/Government Affairs – in recognition of the NAIOP Colorado Chapter’s Legislative Advocacy Strategic Plan written by the Chapter’s Executive Director, Kathie Barstnar.   The Chapter has had a successful Legislative Advocacy Program for over 10 years.  Over the past two years significant effort has been put into enhancing and focusing the program and the Legislative Advocacy Strategic Plan is the guiding document for the future of this program.  This document outlines the purpose, vision, mission and strategic initiatives for the Chapter’s our Legislative Advocacy Program.
• Special Event - for the Chapter’s 10th Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge held in May of 2012.  The popular Challenge event marked  marked the culmination of a four-month process in which 80 students analyzed more than 100 potential redevelopment ideas for the 65-acre Mile High Greyhound Park in Commerce City, Colorado.  Aided by real estate professionals and architectural/engineering experts, five student teams spent more than 8,000 hours to deliver a development proposal that determined the highest and best use for the project.  The final student teams them present their development proposals in front of a crowd of over 650 real estate professionals.  The highly anticipated 11th Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver and will feature redevelopment proposals for the Boulder Civic Area, a City of Boulder project.

Since 2000, NAIOP Colorado has won over 30 such Chapter Merit awards!  To read more and see a full list of winners and categories, click here.

Boulder Civic Area selected for 11th Annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge Project

Land Title Guarantee Company and NAIOP Colorado, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, will again host the Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge in 2013. The challenge is a premier real estate event which features students from the University of Colorado and the University of Denver as well as industry leaders in the Colorado real estate community. For the first time in the event’s eleven year history, the featured project will be within the city limits of Boulder, Colorado. The project will consist of student teams evaluating the redevelopment opportunity of the Boulder Civic Area, bound by 9th to 17th streets and Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue. 

The Challenge tasks more than 50 of the state’s best and brightest graduate students from the University of Colorado and the University of Denver to evaluate and make recommendations for a key block within the Civic Area while considering how the block integrates into the larger area.

Amendment 64 - Axiom Strategies shares Question/Answer Guide published by Denver Post

~~~ AXIOM ALERT ~~~

 

There are many employment issues/questions as well as general questions regarding Amendment 64, recreational marijuana, and it’s implementation.  This is a question/answer guide that appeared in the Denver Post on Dec. 13th.

 

The first meeting of the task force convened by Governor Hickenlooper is scheduled for the 19^th we will be monitoring and reporting.

 

Colorado pot legalization: 30 questions and answers

 

The passage and governor's proclamation of Amendment 64 on Monday, which makes Colorado one of the first two states to legalize limited possession and sales of marijuana, has prompted a flood of questions about what happens now.

Herewith, some answers.

Question: Wait, is pot really legal?

Announcing Government Affairs Leadership Change

submitted by NAIOP Colorado Chapter Board of Directors

Bob Moody will be stepping down as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the NAIOP Colorado Chapter to broaden his engagement in the public policy arena and to expand his legislative, political and election related activities benefiting the business and real estate communities he cares so much about.  As such, Bob Moody will no longer directly represent NAIOP as its in-house Vice President for Government Affairs; however, Bob has agreed to transition his role through the remainder of June and to advise NAIOP as Chairman of C3 through the balance of 2011.
 
NAIOP would like to thank Bob for his long association with NAIOP both as a member and a volunteer leader (the only two-time President of the Chapter).  In 2000, NAIOP decided it was necessary to develop a full-time legislative advocacy program and the Common Cents Fund (CCF) was born.  As the director of CCF and the person responsible for its development, Bob Moody has insured that the commercial real estate industry is well positioned for the future.  Over the past 11 years Bob has had a steady hand at the helm of the public policy debate as it surrounded our industry.  Bob has brought together an impressive team of NAIOP volunteers, industry leaders, community leaders and expert lobbyists, all with the intent of insuring that the commercial real estate industry is strong and protected and has a respected voice in the public policy debate. 
 
NAIOP and its leadership are dedicated to the continued success of the chapter and its focus on education, networking and legislative advocacy.  Kathie Barstnar has been the Executive Director of NAIOP Colorado since 1999 and will be assuming the responsibility for directing and managing the organization's legislative and lobbying efforts effective June 1, 2011, including NAIOP's important work with Axiom.  She was instrumental in assisting Bob Moody in the development and successful implementation of the legislative advocacy process and the CCF and was named as the future leader in the succession plan developed in 2008.  Kathie has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Political Science and is a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies.  This background and her familiarity with the program will ensure that NAIOP Colorado will continue to be the voice for commercial real estate development into the foreseeable future.
 
For more information, please contact Kathie Barstnar at the NAIOP Office at 303.782.0155.