Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference presented by BizWest — The Business Journal of the Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado.

Follow trends. Gain insights.

Prepare for the year.

November 20, 2025 | 8:30 am – 3 pm | Limelight Hotel in Boulder

Photos of 2025 Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference.

BECOME A SPONSOR for 2026! Contact jnuttall@bizwest.com for more information.

General Admission: TBD

Day of Event: TBD

Sign up for CE credits (separate purchase required) provided by BOLO Realtors®!

2025 Agenda

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8:25 a.m.

Welcome — Chris Wood, Editor & Publisher, BizWest

8:35 to 9:15 a.m.

Residential Forecast: After years of a red-hot housing market, the Boulder Valley is seeing a cooling in sales activity and appreciation. What do the latest numbers tell us about the residential market in the region? We’ll examine sales numbers, listings, average and median prices and much more.

Jay Kalinski, managing broker, RE/MAX of Boulder

9:15 to 10 a.m.

Commercial Outlook: Commercial real estate faces differing challenges depending on the market segment, with office experiencing the most-significant difficulties. What is the outlook for office, retail, industrial, flex and investment properties? Our expert panel will provide thoughtful analysis of where the market has been, where it is today and where it’s heading.

Moderator, Geoffrey Keys, president, Keys Commercial

Erik Abrahamson, senior vice president, CBRE

Karla Brown, Senior Broker/Principal, The Colorado Group

Beau Gamble, president, Dean Callan & Co.

10:15 to 11 a.m.

Office at a Crossroads

Boulder’s office market faces significant headwinds, with persistently high vacancy rates, leases and loans nearing renewal, and shifting tenant demands. This panel will examine the challenges while highlighting opportunities, including how emerging industries such as aerospace, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence could play a pivotal role in driving future occupancy and growth.

Moderator: Cameron Grant, partner, Lyons Gaddis

Panelists:

Jennifer Chavez, director of leasing, Boulder, BioMed Realty

John Tayer, president & CEO, Boulder Chamber

Stephen Tebo, owner, Tebo Properties

10:15 to 11 a.m.

Insuring the Future: Risk & Warrantability in Real Estate

Explore the complex insurance and warrantability challenges impacting the Boulder Valley’s real estate sector. Industry experts will address rising costs, coverage limitations, lender requirements, and the implications for buyers, developers, and investors. Gain insights into strategies for navigating evolving risks while maintaining market confidence and project viability.

Moderator: Duane Duggan, Realtor emeritus, RE/MAX of Boulder

Panelists:

Michael Conway, Colorado insurance commissioner

Mitch Friedman, branch manager, senior loan manager, CMG Home Loans

Brent Friesth, owner, Bolder Insurance

Gina Lesch, Realtor, RE/MAX of Boulder

11 to 11:45 a.m.

Vacancies to Vibrancy: Retail & Restaurant Drivers

Join industry leaders as they explore Boulder’s evolving retail and restaurant landscape—highlighting national and local brands entering the market, strategies for filling persistent vacancies, and the role of redevelopment. Panelists will also examine how major events such as the Sundance Film Festival may reshape opportunities for downtown vibrancy, tourism, and long-term economic growth.

Moderator: Ashley Legan, director of marketing, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP

Panelists:

Becky Gamble, CEO, Dean Callan & Co.

Dana Faulk Query, co-owner, Big Red F Restaurant Group

Bettina Swigger, CEO, Downtown Boulder Partnership

11 to 11:45 a.m.

Advancing Middle-Income Housing

Building on the Boulder Valley Middle-Income Housing Summit, this session will present key recommendations and actionable strategies to address housing affordability. Panelists will discuss policy tools, financing mechanisms, and development opportunities aimed at expanding attainable housing options, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and shaping solutions for Boulder Valley’s middle-income workforce.

Moderator: Lisa Wade, broker associate, RE/MAX of Boulder

Panelists:

David Ensign, retired

Marc Painter, partner, Holland & Hart

Jonathan Singer, senior director of policy programs, Boulder Chamber

11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lunch & Networking

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon Keynote: Lawrence Yun, chief economist, National Association of Realtors

The National Outlook

What does the future hold for housing starts, home sales, prices and mortgage rates in 2025 and beyond? Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, will outline the latest data and provide his predictions for the nation’s housing market. How NAR lawsuit has influenced sales.

1:45 to 3 p.m.

Breaking Ground

Communities throughout the Boulder Valley continue to see new commercial and residential construction, with some projects in the planning stage and others already emerging from the ground. Our panel of development directors will provide a complete rundown of the region’s top projects. This panel is a huge hit year after year!

Panelists:

Laura Moody, Redevelopment and Revitalization Director, City of Longmont

Brad Mueller, director of planning & development services, City of Boulder

Isabella Nunez, senior project manager, City of Lafayette

Jack Hill, economic-development manager, Town of Erie

Ellen Robertson, economic development director, Town of Superior

Jeffrey Schreier, business development manager, City and County of Broomfield

Vanessa Zarate, economic-vitality manager, City of Louisville

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Contact jnuttall@bizwest.com for more information.