Member Login
Search

DEVELOPMENT AWARDS - RULES & JUDGING CRITERIA

COLORADO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HONORS | 2026
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026

All awards presented as part of the 2026 Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors recognize commercial real estate development projects completed during the 2025 calendar year, unless otherwise noted.

The following rules and criteria apply to all Development Awards, including asset-class awards, the Innovative Project Award, Community Impact Award, and Deal of the Year.

Quick Links:

  • Development Award Nominations Page
  • Submit a Development Award Nomination (Online Form)

ELIGIBILITY & GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Development projects must have received a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) issued between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
  • Projects may be submitted by developers, owners, brokers, architects, contractors, investors, or other members of the project team.
  • Projects may be submitted by NAIOP members and non-members alike. NAIOP membership or sponsorship is not required to submit a nomination; however, projects are encouraged to demonstrate a meaningful connection to the NAIOP Colorado community, such as participation by a NAIOP member or sponsor on the project team or a recommendation from a current NAIOP member or sponsor.
  • The Awards Selection Committee reserves the right to:
    • Not present an award in a given category
    • Re-categorize submissions to ensure appropriate recognition
    • Modify, consolidate, or subdivide categories based on submission volume and composition
  • Late, altered, or revised submissions may not be considered.
  • Nominees are asked to refrain from directly contacting NAIOP staff or Awards Selection Committee members regarding their submission. Failure to do so may result in disqualification; however, NAIOP representatives may proactively contact nominees as part of the review, interview, and site-visit process. 

AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEE 

Development Award nominations are reviewed by an Awards Selection Committee comprised of a cross-section of NAIOP Colorado leadership and members, including Past Presidents, current Chapter leadership and Board members, and engaged member volunteers. This committee structure is intended to provide balanced perspectives across asset types, project scale, and market sectors, ensuring fair and thoughtful evaluation of all submissions.

DEVELOPMENT AWARD CATEGORIES

Nominations are being accepted in the following Development Award categories:

  • Industrial Development of the Year
  • Office Development of the Year
  • Multifamily Development of the Year
  • Retail Development of the Year (Including Hospitality)
  • Innovative Project of the Year
  • Community Impact Award
  • Deal of the Year

Projects may be submitted in multiple categories, and each category is evaluated independently. NAIOP Colorado reserves the right to recognize Retail and Hospitality developments together or separately based on the volume and nature of submissions received.

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE

To assist with appropriate submission and evaluation, the following general guidance applies:

  • Industrial Development may include traditional industrial, R&D, flex, and substantially renovated projects.
  • Office Development may include multi-use projects where office is a material component, as well as substantial renovations or repositionings.
  • Innovative Project may include projects of any scale or asset class, including mixed-use, redevelopment, or non-traditional developments demonstrating creativity, originality, or unique problem-solving.
  • Community Impact Award recognizes projects that demonstrate meaningful economic, social, or neighborhood-level impact, including but not limited to affordable or workforce housing, sustainability initiatives, and community-serving uses.
  • Deal of the Year may recognize projects of any asset class or mixed-use composition and honors the complexity, creativity, and execution of the transaction and development as a whole.

MIXED-USE & MULTI-CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS

  • Mixed-use projects should be submitted under the category that best reflects the project’s primary use or defining characteristic.
  • Projects may be submitted in multiple categories.
  • Submission in multiple categories does not guarantee finalist designation in each category.
  • The Awards Selection Committee may advance, re-designate, or decline a project by category to ensure fair and appropriate consideration.

SITE VISIT & PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS

As part of the evaluation process, nominated projects are expected to accommodate a project site visit coordinated by NAIOP Colorado.

  • Site visits allow the Awards Selection Committee to better understand the project and engage directly with the development team.
  • Participation by a senior development team representative is strongly encouraged to facilitate meaningful discussion regarding project vision, execution, challenges, and outcomes.
  • Project site visits may be scheduled at any time following submission of a nomination through Friday, February 13, 2026. NAIOP Colorado representatives may begin outreach to schedule site visits shortly after nominations are received.

JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS

In reviewing nominations, the Awards Selection Committee may consider factors such as:

  • Architecture and design quality
  • Financial feasibility and execution
  • Enhancement to the surrounding community or neighborhood, including economic, social, or neighborhood-level impacts
  • Innovative techniques, sustainability, and adaptability
  • Contribution to the commercial real estate industry
  • Civic, charitable, or philanthropic involvement related to the project or development team

REVIEW, CERTIFICATION & CONFIDENTIALITY 

By submitting a Development Award nomination, applicants certify that the information provided is accurate and that the Owner/Developer has approved the project’s submission for consideration.

 

Applicants further certify that the project received a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) during the 2025 calendar year. NAIOP Colorado reserves the right to request documentation confirming the issuance of a CO or TCO if needed as part of the review process.

 

Nomination materials are reviewed by the Awards Selection Committee and may be supplemented by follow-up questions, interviews, or project site visits.

 

While the award is presented to the development/project, the Owner/Developer is recognized as the primary award recipient. Members of the broader development team may be acknowledged in awards materials and event programming.

 

All information submitted is used solely for awards consideration and related programming. Financial or proprietary information will not be publicly disclosed beyond finalist recognition, award announcements, and event-related materials.

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS

All Development Award nominations must include the following digital materials:

  • High-resolution company logo
  • Development / project logo (if available)
  • Up to five (5) high-resolution project images

Submitted images and logos may be used for finalist recognition, event materials, marketing, and on-screen displays during the Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors.

Applicants may also submit optional supporting materials (e.g., site plans, renderings, floor plans, or marketing fact sheets) if available. Supplemental materials are optional and not required for consideration.

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Deadline for Development Award Nominations:
Monday, February 2, 2026

FINALIST & AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Finalists will be announced by Thursday, February 19, 2026
  • Award recipients will be announced live at the Colorado Commercial Real Estate Honors on Thursday, February 26, 2026 

Award Presentation
Award recipients will be recognized during the ceremony, with trophies available for pickup during the post-event celebration. One (1) trophy will be awarded to the Owner/Developer as the primary recipient. Additional trophies may be available for purchase. 

 

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about developer award categories, eligibility, or the nomination process, please contact:

Jayma File, NAIOP Colorado Managing Director 
Ph: 303.782.0155 | Email