25 Years of Colorado Real Estate Company: A Journey Built on Relationships, Trust, and Community

This year marks an important milestone for me personally and professionally: the 25th anniversary of Colorado Real Estate Company.

As I reflect on this journey, I'm grateful for the clients, friends, family members, agents, and business partners who have been part of it. While Colorado Real Estate Company celebrates 25 years this year, my career in real estate actually began 31 years ago, and if I'm being honest, my passion for real estate started much earlier than that.

It Started With a Kid on a Bicycle

Some people discover their career later in life. Many realtors started real estate as a second or third career. I knew as a kid. Growing up in northwest Ohio, my friend Stevie and I would ride our bikes through neighborhoods, studying houses. We'd talk about how they were built, count the windows, compare floor plans, and imagine what it would be like to live in them. Even then, I was fascinated by homes and the stories they told.

There was also a local Realtor who marketed himself exceptionally well. I remember noticing how visible he was in the community and how he seemed to be connected to everything happening in town. Those early experiences sparked an interest that never left me.

Real estate became the only career I ever wanted.

Getting Started

I entered the real estate business immediately after graduating from college in 1995. At the time, real estate wasn't necessarily considered a young person's profession, but that didn't discourage me. I learned the business the old-fashioned way. I held open houses. I made cold calls. I knocked on doors. I worked with For Sale By Owners. Back then, there was even a reverse phone directory that made prospecting possible in ways that sound almost unbelievable today. 

One of my favorite approaches was working with homeowners who wanted to sell their homes themselves. I created a PowerPoint presentation—printed on paper, long before tablets and digital presentations became common—and met with owners to discuss the question: "Why pay someone to do what you can do yourself?"

Rather than giving a sales pitch, I took an educational approach. I brought the contracts, disclosures, and state-required forms and walked sellers through the process. Many times, simply understanding the complexity of a real estate transaction helped them see the value of professional representation of a licensed realtor. 

Looking back, those experiences shaped the way I still approach real estate today: educate first, serve first, and help clients make informed decisions.

The Move That Changed Everything

In 1998, I was presented with a tremendous opportunity. The broker I worked for in Ohio offered me a partnership in his business. I was honored. But I also knew that if I accepted, I would likely spend the rest of my life in Ohio. At the time, I was still single, and I couldn't ignore the pull of the Rocky Mountains. I wanted to live under blue skies, ski incredible mountains, and build a life in Colorado. So I took a leap of faith. I packed up and moved to Summit County.

From 1998 to 2001, I had the privilege of working alongside one of the best brokerages in the county, learning the nuances of mountain real estate and developing relationships throughout the community.

Then, in 2001, I took another leap and founded Colorado Real Estate Company.

Building Colorado Real Estate Company

Starting a brokerage wasn't easy. Like many entrepreneurs, I returned to the fundamentals that had worked throughout my career: direct mail, open houses, phone calls, relationship building, and community involvement.

One thing that became obvious very quickly was that Summit County is unlike most real estate markets. Many of our buyers and sellers live hundreds or even thousands of miles away. They aren't just buying property—they're buying a lifestyle.

I believed then, and still believe today, that education creates confidence.

That's why I've spent years sharing market updates, writing articles, hosting open houses, creating direct-mail campaigns, and providing insight into what's happening throughout Summit County.

Over time, that commitment evolved into our quarterly publication, The Real Estate Insider.

Why The Real Estate Insider Matters

I've always believed in direct mail. In a world filled with emails, social media feeds, and digital advertising, there's something special about holding a publication in your hands. One of the most rewarding moments is when I walk into a client's home and see The Real Estate Insider sitting on their coffee table. The magazine allows me to share market trends, local news, real estate insights, and personal stories from our family's life here in Summit County.

Over the years, readers have watched my four boys grow up through photos and stories. It's incredibly rewarding when clients ask about my family because they've followed along through the magazine for years. (Pictured above is my family at Thanksgiving 2020.)

Real estate is about relationships, and The Real Estate Insider has become one of the ways we stay connected with our community.

Building a Team and a Legacy

As Colorado Real Estate Company grew, I realized something important. I wanted to share my experience and create opportunities for other agents. I wanted to build a team that could provide exceptional service while allowing clients to benefit from the collective experience of multiple professionals.

Today, one of my favorite moments is hearing someone say, "I think one of your agents called me." That tells me our culture is working.

We've built a team that shares the same commitment to service, professionalism, and genuine care for clients. Our agents aren't just helping people buy and sell real estate—they're helping families make life-changing decisions.

Together, we've helped countless buyers, sellers, investors, and second-home owners achieve their goals throughout Summit County.

Why We Partnered With PLACE

As our business evolved, I wanted to provide clients with even more resources, technology, and transparency. That's what led us to partner with PLACE. 

PLACE shares the same values that have guided Colorado Real Estate Company for 25 years: transparency, expertise, accountability, and client-first service.

Through PLACE, our clients benefit from innovative technology, enhanced marketing capabilities, and an online client portal that provides visibility into every step of the transaction process. The partnership allows us to maintain the local expertise and personal relationships that have always defined our business while adding cutting-edge tools that improve the client experience. It's been a tremendous addition to our company and one that positions us well for the future.

What Keeps Me Passionate After 31 Years?

People often ask me what keeps me motivated after more than three decades in real estate. The answer is simple. I genuinely enjoy helping people. 

Every transaction represents a new chapter in someone's life. Whether it's a first-time buyer, a family upgrading to their dream home, an investor building wealth, or a retiree finding their mountain getaway, I never lose sight of how important these decisions are.

I've always tried to stay positive, focus on solutions, and build authentic relationships. The relationships are what matter most. Many of our clients have become lifelong friends, and that's one of the greatest rewards of this profession.

Celebrating 25 Years Together

A milestone like this isn't possible without the incredible people who have trusted us along the way. That's why we're inviting our clients, friends, and community members to celebrate with us.

Join us on August 7, 2026, at Colorado Real Estate Company's office in Silverthorne for our Client Appreciation Event. We'll have food, music, giveaways, and professional family portrait sessions along the beautiful Blue River behind our office. Bring the kids. Bring the grandparents. Bring the dogs. The event coincides with Silverthorne's First Friday celebration, making it a perfect evening to enjoy our community.

If you've worked with us in the past, are working with us today, or hope to work with us in the future, we'd love to celebrate with you. Be sure to reach out to RSVP and schedule a portrait.

And if we've had the opportunity to help you along the way, please consider sharing your experience at ReviewColoradoRealEstate.com.

Looking Ahead

Twenty-five years after opening Colorado Real Estate Company, I remain as excited about the future as I was on day one.

Our mission hasn't changed:

• Provide expert guidance.
  
  
• Build lasting relationships.
  
  
• Serve our community.
  
  
• Help people achieve their real estate goals.
  
  

To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you. Here's to the next chapter!