Insights

Denver, Colorado – Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC (Otten Johnson) is pleased to announce that Emily A. Hippen has been elected shareholder and director of the firm, effective January 1, 2016.

Real estate investors, developers, and lenders are constantly searching for new markets. What if one of the newest, most interesting and capital hungriest markets is already serving roughly 2.9 million people across the country, including just down the street, and historically has low loan default rates and above average returns? This market? Charter schools. This article explores the charter school real estate market and specifically charter school construction loans.

Otten Johnson and Confluence Denver hosted a conversation on 11/1715 at The Commons on Champa that covered some of Denver’s most interesting projects under development: inclusive projects being built with all stakeholders in mind — and with their input. The projects discussed at the Nov. 17 event in the conversation ranged from a new home for the nonprofit Mi Casa Resource Center to Catalyst Health-Tech Innovation (HTI), a campus focused on advanced healthcare technologies. While each project represented different needs and end users, they all shared common themes: inclusion, being purpose-built and seeking input from their communities.

Edmonds, WA – December 2015 – The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) is pleased to announce that Mianne L. Besser, of Brighton, CO has been elected to the position of Director, Region II for the 2015-2016 term.

Denver, Colorado – Denver, Colorado – Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC (Otten Johnson) is pleased to announce that Lindsey A. L. Diedrich has joined the firm as an associate. Lindsey received her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law (2006), and her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa. She concentrates her practice in real estate law, with a focus on sales, acquisitions, development, and real estate finance.

Denver, Colorado – Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC (Otten Johnson) is pleased to announce that Allison P. Altaras has joined the firm as an associate, and Michael J. Meacher has joined the firm as senior counsel.

The tiny City of Walsenburg in southern Colorado made headlines last month for being the first city in the state, and among the first in the nation, to amend its land use regulations to permit “tiny houses,” which typically range from 100 to 500 square feet, in all residential zone districts. Walsenburg’s new regulation requires that the tiny homes be permanently placed on a foundation, as opposed to wheels, and be tapped into the city’s water and sewer system.

On October 8, 2015, Mayor Michael Hancock released a draft ordinance that would significantly change how condominium construction defect suits are pursued in Denver. If it passes, Denver will become the ninth city in Colorado to craft its own rules for lawsuits arising from condominium construction projects. But will it make a difference?

Structuring Equity Compensation for Founders and EmployeesStructuring equity compensation is a difficult task for founders and receiving equity compensation is an area that many employees do not totally understand when joining startups. There are many business and tax law issues that make this a complex task. This presentation is for founders and employees of startups who want to better understand the issues and the potential pitfalls that can occur when issuing equity compensation. The presentation will be given by two business/tax attorneys from Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti (Trevor Crow and Doug Becker)