Public Policy Corner

Learn more about NAIOP Colorado's efforts to advance public policy that protects and encourages responsible, sustainable development that creates jobs and benefits the communities in which our members work and live. 

August 2021 Public Policy Update 

By Kathie Barstnar, Executive Director, NAIOP Colorado

The Colorado General Assembly adjourned on June 8 after 116 days. This session has been described as one of the most controversial in recent memory and many in the business community believe the impacts will be felt for many years. Click Here for a recap of all the bills that NAIOP worked on in 2021.  A couple of the key bills were:

1. HB21-1286 Energy-Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards for Buildings: This is one of the bills on which NAIOP Colorado secured a significant victory. At the beginning of the session it appeared that this bill would sail through as drafted. As introduced it would have required owners of buildings 50,000 sf or greater all across the state to benchmark their energy usage AND reduce such energy use by 15% by 2026 with additional reductions being designated by the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) every five years until 2040. Additionally, it would have required severe penalties for non-compliance including a $.02 per sf per day fine until compliance is achieved. NAIOP, along with a wide coalition of other building related organizations opposed this bill as overreaching and too aggressive. After significant testimony in opposition and a threat by the House Republicans to filibuster the bill, sponsors met with our industry representatives and an agreement to pivot the bill to a task force was forged. The task force will meet and determine ways to bridge the gap from the aspirational goals to implementable actions with a statewide reduction of 15% by 2026 and setting up a plan for future task force input to the AQCC. NAIOP Colorado has been given a designated position on the task force. Stay tuned for updates as the Task Force starts to meet later this year.
2. HB21-1117 Local Government Authority to Promote Affordable Housing Units. This bill authorizes local government to require construction of affordable housing within their boundaries without being in violation of the state statute prohibiting rent control by exempting local government land use regulations that restrict rents on newly constructed or redeveloped housing units. NAIOP opposed this bill unless amended to provide guard rails on what local governments could implement. A qualification was added stating that “the (local) regulation provides a choice of options to the property owner or land developer and creates one or more alternatives to construction of new affordable housing units on the building site.” It was signed by the Governor and now local governments are considering what policies to implement. Our efforts now switch to working with county and municipal governments as they consider different ordinances with affordable housing requirements.

The City and County of Denver has been very active on several fronts including affordable housing and energy efficiency along with ballot initiative submissions in anticipation of the fall elections of 2021 and 2022. Here are some updates:

1. Energize Denver Task Force: As an outcome of the recently completed Climate Action Task Force 2020 Recommendations Report the Energize Denver Task Force has been meeting the past 8 months to develop a plan to reduce energy use in commercial buildings to meet the 2030 and 2040. Kathie Barstnar has represented NAIOP Colorado on this Task Force. The final meeting of the task force is set for August 19 after which their proposed report will be presented to the Denver City Council. Here is a link to the latest draft report published on July 29, 2021. As soon as the updated report is available, we will make sure you have access to it and will request your participation during its process through the City Council and Regulatory drafting process.
2. Denver Expanding Housing Affordability: In line with above report on HB21-1117, the City of Denver is undertaking a public process to involve: 1) Citywide zoning incentive for affordable housing; 2) increase to the City’s linkage fee; 3) requiring affordable housing as part of developments. For more information, please visit the City and County of Denver's Expanding Housing Affordability website.  Please consider sharing your feedback to the City about what you want to see in affordability or sign up to participate and attend an upcoming industry focus group. Click Here for more details. 

For more information regarding the Chapter's Public Policy efforts, please reach out to Public Policy Chair Caitlin Quander or NAIOP Executive Director Kathie Barstnar.

New Normal Series Focuses on Future of RE Development

By Jodi McCulloch, Business Development Manager, Crosslands Company

On Wednesday, August 18, NAIOP Colorado hosted the first panel in its Education Series. This year’s them is “Post-COVID and The New Normal”. Our first panel, “The New Normal: Psychological and Behavioral Patterns”, hosted by Katie Donahue, Associate, Handel Architects was a great way to kick off this series.

Panelists included:  JJ Ament, CEO, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation; Dr. Angela Loder, Vice President, Research at International WELL Building Institute; and Sarah Le Tourneur, Partner/Principal, EY Americas.

JJ shared that it is the talent and people of Denver that attract companies to the area. Industries of growth in Denver include Aerospace, Bio Science, Financial services, Aviation, Broadcast and Telecommunications, Healthcare and Wellness, Food and Beverage, Energy, and IT Software.

Angela talked about the ESG Landscape. ESG (environmental, social and governance) is a general term used in capital markets and used by investors to evaluate corporate behavior and to determine the future financial performance of companies. The ESG has a 73% impact on lease rate, a 62% impact on building value and a 59% positive impact on occupant satisfaction.

Sarah took everyone through a recent survive done by EY. They learned that 9 out of 10 people want flexibility on where and when they work. Sixty seven percent of the respondents preferred flexibility of time over location. Fifty four percent of respondents were likely to leave without flexibility. Lastly, 2/3 want employers to offer flexible start and finish times.

Denver is unique in what it offers with the outdoors, healthy environment/lifestyle and provides work/life balance. Pre-pandemic, Denver led the nation in work from home employees. 52% of people have moved to Denver from out of state while 10% have move her from somewhere internationally.

NAIOP was grateful for the insight from such a distinguished panel and are looking forward to see what our new normal of commercial real estate development will actually be. Join us for the next panel in our Educational Series on September 15 that will look at The New Normal of Industrial and Retail. We look forward to having you in-person or online.

Welcome New Members

Joined 08.01.2021 - 08.31.2021

Jeff Goldman

Full Name: Jeff Goldman

Company: Antonoff & Co. Brokerage, Inc.

Title:  Associate Broker

Education/Professional Certifications:

• B.S. Science, Penn State University

NAIOP involvement:

• Programs Committee

How many years have you been in commercial real estate? 7

How long have you been a member of NAIOP? 3 Months, Just returned to Denver

CRE Work Experience:

• Industrial Market background in the 4th largest Industrial Port in the U.S., leasing Industrial Warehouses thru Duke Realty. 
• Tenant Representation of Land Acquisition and Investment Properties.
• Retail leasing of National Chains.

What motivated you to get involved in the CRE Industry? Jeff enjoys bringing information to the table for the client and securing the deal.

Proudest professional achievement thus far: Closing an Investment Property in Savannah, Georgia that was built in 1840 and had a rich history.

Aspirations & Goals: Jeff wants to continue to excel in the industry by being active in organizations and committees. 

Personal Interests: Dogs, hiking, and outdoor activities.

Profile Published September 1, 2021.