Department Chair

Blair E. Lichtenfels

Shareholder

Background

Negotiates and closes complex development transactions. Assesses risk to efficiently and cost effectively achieve maximum results. Skilled at creating positive relationships between public stakeholders and private real estate developers.

A real estate attorney focused on achieving her client’s business objectives and chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department, Blair Lichtenfels advises prominent developers and equity investors in connection with urban infill, brownfield, master planned, mixed use and transit-oriented developments. Blair’s reputation for closing transactions and cementing relationships among stakeholders coupled with shrewd negotiating skills and a collaborative approach results in achieving her clients’ development goals in Colorado’s urban centers and rural counties. 

With a track-record of navigating Colorado’s expanding industrial real estate market, Blair handles the entitlement, acquisition, development and sale of industrial assets throughout the state. She also focuses on multifamily and mixed-use development, providing counsel on community outreach and strategic guidance on public-private partnerships, as well as advice related to entitlement review and acquisition/disposition.

Blair understands the vital role public-private partnerships play in complex commercial developments and has negotiated with various urban renewal authorities in Colorado for tax increment and other sources of public financing. She brings extensive experience navigating Title 32 metropolitan district matters and structuring and negotiating Public Improvement Fee (PIF) Covenants, allowing her clients to successfully understand risks, liabilities and opportunities associated with public financing mechanisms. She collaborates with municipalities to secure clients’ desired entitlements, all with an eye toward minimizing risk, duration and cost. 

Practices:

Industries:

Representative Matters

  • Represented Mill Creek Residential Trust in connection with the acquisition and development of several multi-family projects in Denver, Colorado. Properties are located in central Denver, RINO, LoHi, DU and Capitol Hill areas.
  • Represented Continuum Partners in the redevelopment of the former University of Colorado Health Sciences Center 9th and Colorado campus, which will include a horizontal and vertical mix of uses, including residential, office, retail, restaurant, hotel and public space. The firm negotiated the acquisition of the former University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at 9th and Colorado in Denver, which included completing all physical and legal due diligence for the site, providing advice with respect to Continuum’s administrative amendment for the GDP encumbering the property, and negotiating with the Denver Urban Renewal Authority for $47.9 million in TIF funds. We continue to oversee all legal work at the 30 acre project, including the development of both the retail and residential components of the site.
  • Represented a joint venture in the sale of two multifamily apartment buildings located at the 26-acre 9+CO development in Denver and commonly referred to as Theo and Milo to one of the largest publicly traded multifamily REITs in the United States. The sale included 594 residential units and associated parking garage together with 41,000 square feet of ground retail space.
  • Represented a Minneapolis-based real estate owner and developer in the $21.1 million acquisition of 129 acres in Aurora close to Denver International Airport where it plans to develop into a new industrial complex. The development will occur in two phases with a total of 1.9 million sq.-ft. cross-dock space.
  • Represented a Minneapolis-based real estate owner and developer in the $49.5 million sale of a two-building, Class-A industrial portfolio totaling approximately 198,700 square feet, to a Chicago based leading investment management firm.

Insights & Publications

Insights & Publications

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2007, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Order of St. Ives
  • B.A., 1998, Colgate University, magna cum laude

Previous Experience

  • Intern, Denver City Attorney’s Office, Municipal Operations Division
  • Law Clerk, Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIMCO)
  • Merchandiser, Old Navy Division, Gap, Inc. 

Admissions

  • Colorado, 2007

Memberships

American Bar Association

Colorado Bar Association

Colorado Women’s Bar Association

Denver Bar Association

Community Involvement

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Founding Member and Co-Chair, KIPP: Colorado Schools Advisory Board

Board of Directors, Economic Development Council of Colorado

Former Board Member, Denver Center for Arts Technology

Former Member, Young Guns Committee, Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale (NWSS)

Former Board Member, Emily Griffith Foundation

Recognition

AWARDS

The Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2026

ColoradoBiz, Power List, 2025

Sherman R. Miller Trailblazer Award, NAIOP Colorado, 2024

Connect CRE, Best Lawyers in Real Estate, 2023

5280 Top Lawyers, 2021-2025

Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2016-2017

Law Week Colorado, Up and Coming Lawyers, 2011

General Editor, University of Denver Law Review

President, University of Denver Construction and Real Estate Society

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