[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":13},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f3kh3lh7h7h7t":3},{"id":4,"publishedAt":5,"coverImageUrl":6,"published":7,"contentHtml":8,"excerpt":9,"sourceCommit":10,"title":11,"slug":4,"updatedAt":12},"fall-2025-cre-outlook-key-takeaways-from-colorado-springs-economic-forum-with-ted-c-jones","2025-11-01T06:00:00Z","https:\u002F\u002Ffirebasestorage.googleapis.com\u002Fv0\u002Fb\u002Fampelicre.firebasestorage.app\u002Fo\u002Fblog_assets%2Ffall-2025-cre-outlook-key-takeaways-from-colorado-springs-economic-forum-with-ted-c-jones%2F6924e7022e753fd869913383_ChatGPT%20Image%20Nov%2024%2C%202025%2C%2004_15_06%20PM.png?alt=media&token=8962202d-83dc-4e5f-a17f-467765ae57d9",true,"\u003Cp>In October, I attended the 2025 Economic Forum hosted by Empire Title here in Colorado Springs. One of the keynote speakers was \u003Cstrong>Dr. Ted C. Jones\u003C\u002Fstrong>, Chief Economist for Stewart Title — a nationally recognized expert on real estate trends, capital markets, and economic cycles.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The presentation was full of local and statewide insights into what’s happening in our commercial real estate market, and I wanted to share some key takeaways that could impact your investments and planning as we move into 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Employment: The Foundation of Market Stability\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>Colorado Springs continues to add jobs at a modest but healthy rate. As of April 2025:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul role=\"list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>2,700 net new jobs\u003C\u002Fstrong> were added over the previous 12 months.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>That’s a \u003Cstrong>+0.8% year-over-year increase\u003C\u002Fstrong> in employment.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Sectors like \u003Cstrong>real estate, leasing, and construction\u003C\u002Fstrong> have fully recovered and surpassed pre-pandemic levels.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>This is an important signal. Job growth drives tenant demand, retail spending, and site selection for everything from healthcare to logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>CRE Sales Are Rebounding Across the State\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>Q3 2025 saw an uptick in commercial real estate sales volume across Colorado — totaling approximately \u003Cstrong>$6.5 billion\u003C\u002Fstrong> statewide. This marks a noticeable rebound from 2023 and early 2024 levels, which were subdued due to interest rate volatility and economic uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Dr. Jones emphasized that \u003Cstrong>industrial and retail assets\u003C\u002Fstrong> continue to outperform in both urban and secondary markets. In Colorado Springs, we’re seeing smaller flex industrial buildings and neighborhood retail centers remain in high demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Cap Rates Are Expanding, But That’s Not All Bad\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>One of the headline stats from Ted’s talk: \u003Cstrong>Cap rates have risen by 218 basis points\u003C\u002Fstrong> from their recent lows.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s a big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For owners, it may mean lower asset valuations in the short term. But for buyers and repositioning plays, it opens the door to \u003Cstrong>better cash flow, improved yield, and sharper deal terms.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It also signals that capital is becoming more selective, favoring high-quality locations, stabilized tenants, and flexible use properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Business Tax Climate: Colorado in the Middle of the Pack\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>From the companion report shared during the event  (the \u003Cstrong>2025 Tax Foundation Index\u003C\u002Fstrong>) Colorado ranks \u003Cstrong>#32 out of 50 states\u003C\u002Fstrong> for overall business tax competitiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Strengths:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul role=\"list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>#10 in Corporate Tax Ranking\u003C\u002Fstrong>  which is excellent for entities structured as corporations or growing past startup phase.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Weaknesses:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul role=\"list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>#36 in Property Tax Ranking\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>#37 in Sales Tax Ranking\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>What does this mean?\u003Cbr\u002F>While Colorado is attractive from an income and corporate tax perspective, property owners should remain aware of the \u003Cstrong>long-term burden of real estate taxes\u003C\u002Fstrong>, especially in metro areas with high mill levies or active reassessment cycles.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3> Takeaways for CRE Owners, Users, and Investors\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Col role=\"list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Expect Cap Rate Spread\u003C\u002Fstrong> – If you’re selling, pricing will reflect tighter underwriting. If you’re buying, now is your window to find value.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Focus on Jobs + Demand Drivers\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Neighborhoods and corridors with job growth will outperform.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Watch for Lease Escalations and OpEx\u003C\u002Fstrong> – In this tax and interest rate climate, locking in strong leases is key.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Stay Educated and Strategic\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Forums like this one remind us how essential it is to understand both macro and micro trends.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Ch3>Final Thought\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>This market rewards those who are patient, informed, and connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you're looking at opportunities, whether that’s leasing space, buying, or selling, I’d love to share more about what I’m seeing and how it relates to your goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>‍\u003C\u002Fp>","I had the chance to attend a recent economic forum here in Colorado Springs featuring Ted C. Jones, Chief Economist for Stewart Title, and it was packed with timely insights. 📊 Job growth remains steady, CRE sales are rebounding, and cap rates are widening, meaning investors have a real chance to find value in today’s market. 💡 I broke down the highlights and what they mean for owners and business operators heading into 2026.","ca250b7","Fall 2025 CRE Outlook: Key Takeaways from Colorado Springs' Economic Forum with Ted C. Jones","2026-02-20T18:54:35.203Z",1791390461115]