Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference & Forecast
Nov. 20, 2025, Limelight Hotel, Boulder
2025 Agenda
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 revitalization manager, City of Longmont
Brad Mueller, director of planning & development services, City of Boulder
Isabella Nunez, senior project manager, City of Lafayette
Jack Hill, business-development specialist, 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
