ADDITIONAL AWARDS RULES & JUDGING CRITERIA
COLORADO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HONORS | 2026
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Empower Field at Mile High
Doors Open at 3:30 PM | Awards Begin at 4:00 PM MT
The Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors is the next evolution of NAIOP Colorado’s long-standing Awards of Achievement—recognizing excellence across the commercial real estate industry.
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OVERVIEW
The Additional Awards recognize individuals, teams, and transactions that demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact within Colorado’s commercial real estate industry. These awards honor achievements that may not align with traditional project- or firm-based categories, but nonetheless represent meaningful contributions to the industry and the broader community.
Each award has distinct eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and a separate online nomination form, as outlined below.
NOMINATION DEADLINE
Monday, February 2, 2026
All nominations must be submitted online by the stated deadline. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Capital Markets Transaction Award
- Advancing Community Responsibility & Empowerment (CRE) Award
- Sherman R. Miller Trailblazer Award
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY & RULES
(Applicable to All Additional Awards)
- Each Additional Award requires a separate online nomination form.
- Printable application forms may be provided for preparation purposes only and are not accepted as final submissions.
- Nominees may be individuals, companies, or teams, depending on the award category.
- NAIOP membership requirements vary by award and are specified within each award’s eligibility criteria.
- NAIOP Colorado reserves the right to reclassify submissions or withhold an award in any category if submissions do not meet established criteria.
- Submission deadlines are firm. Late or incomplete nominations may not be accepted.
- Any attempt to influence members of the Awards Committee or Judging Committee may result in disqualification.
- The decisions of the Judging Committee are final.
CAPITAL MARKETS TRANSACTION AWARD
Eligibility
- Open to individuals or teams involved in a qualifying capital markets transaction
- Transaction must relate to commercial real estate in Colorado
- Transaction must have closed during the 2025 calendar year
- At least one principal involved in the transaction must be a NAIOP member
Judging Criteria
Submissions are evaluated holistically based on the following:
- Transaction Complexity & Structure
- Creativity & Innovation
- Execution & Technical Expertise
- Risk Mitigation & Challenges
- Overall Significance & Market Impact
Judges consider qualitative impact rather than transaction size or dollar volume alone.
Required Nomination Materials
- Completed online nomination form
- Narrative submission (500-800 words) describing the transaction, its structure, challenges, execution, and overall significance
- Company logos for primary transaction parties
- Project-related images (if available)
- Optional non-confidential supporting materials
ADVANCING COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY & EMPOWERMENT AWARD
Eligibility
Judging Criteria
Submissions are evaluated holistically based on the following:
- Sustained Leadership & Commitment
- Authenticity & Intent
- Community Impact & Outcomes
- Scope & Depth of Engagement
- Industry Leadership & Influence
Required Nomination Materials
- Completed online nomination form
- Narrative submission (500 words or less) describing the nominee’s sustained leadership, service, and community impact
- Company logo(s) and individual headshot (if nominating an individual)
- Optional supporting images (if available)
SHERMAN R. MILLER TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Eligibility
- Open to individuals only
- Nominees must be 45 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2025
- Nominees should demonstrate long-standing industry leadership and influence
- NAIOP membership strongly preferred
Judging Criteria
Submissions are evaluated holistically based on the following:
- Career Achievement & Leadership
- Industry Influence & Legacy
- Mentorship & Professional Development
- Integrity & Reputation
- Service to NAIOP & the Industry
Required Nomination Materials
- Completed online nomination form
- Narrative submission (500 words or less) outlining the nominee's career, leadership, and industry impact
- Optional letters of support or additional documentation
- Individual headshot and company logo
CERTIFICATION & CONFIDENTIALITY
By submitting a nomination, the applicant certifies that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge and that they have permission to submit the nomination.
All nomination materials will be treated as confidential and used solely for award evaluation and related awards programming. Non-financial information, images, and logos may be used for finalist recognition, event materials, and promotional purposes related to the Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors.
FINALIST & AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
Finalists for the Additional Awards will be announced in advance of the Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors event on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Award recipients will be recognized during the ceremony, with trophies available for pickup during the post-event celebration. One (1) trophy will be presented per award. Additional trophies may be available for purchase.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions regarding the additional award categories, eligibility, or the nomination process, please contact:
Jayma File, NAIOP Colorado Managing Director
Ph: 303.782.0155 | Email
