Welcome to the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado

New Name. Same Mission. Celebrating 50 Years of Industry Leadership.

Today marks an exciting milestone in our organization's history.

As we celebrate 50 years of serving Colorado's commercial real estate industry, NAIOP Colorado has officially become the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado.

While our name has changed, our mission remains the same: advancing responsible commercial real estate development through advocacy, education, research and meaningful business relationships.

For five decades, our members have helped shape Colorado by developing, owning, investing in, financing, designing, building and managing the commercial real estate projects that support our economy and strengthen our communities. Today, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado represents more than 600 members across Colorado and remains one of the largest and most active chapters within the global organization.

Why the Change?

The commercial real estate industry has evolved significantly since our organization was founded in 1976.

Today's industry extends far beyond traditional office and industrial properties. Our members create multifamily housing, retail destinations, healthcare facilities, hospitality projects, mixed-use developments and other commercial real estate projects that help communities thrive.

The name Commercial Real Estate Development Association better reflects the breadth of our industry and the work our members do every day.

This transition also aligns Colorado with the global organization, formerly NAIOP, which represents more than 21,000 members across 55 chapters throughout North America.

Celebrating 50 Years of Leadership

This year is about more than a new name.

It is also an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of leadership, advocacy and collaboration within Colorado's commercial real estate industry.

Since 1976, our Chapter has:

• Advocated for responsible public policy that supports commercial real estate development.
• Connected thousands of industry professionals through education and networking.
• Developed future industry leaders.
• Built meaningful business relationships that strengthen Colorado's commercial real estate community.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on that legacy for the next generation.

A Message from Our Leadership

"Today's commercial real estate industry spans far beyond industrial and office properties. Our new name better reflects the diversity of our industry while strengthening our ability to advocate for policies that support housing, infrastructure, business investment and economic growth. Through education, collaboration and advocacy, we'll continue helping policymakers understand the vital role commercial real estate plays in Colorado's future." — Brian Dietz, 2026 President

"After 27 years leading this organization, I've watched both our members and our industry evolve. Our new name captures who we are today while reaffirming the mission we've had from the beginning: advocating for responsible commercial real estate development, educating industry professionals, and building stronger communities." — Kathie Barstnar, Executive Director

"The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado honors our legacy while positioning us for the next generation of industry leadership, innovation and collaboration. Together, we'll continue advancing commercial real estate through advocacy, education, research and the connections that help our members—and our communities—thrive."  — Sara Croot, President-Elect

Looking Ahead

Although our name has changed, our commitment to our members—and to Colorado—has not.

The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado will continue to be the leading voice for commercial real estate development in our state through advocacy, education, leadership development, research, and industry connections.

Whether you've been with us for decades or are just beginning your involvement, we're excited to welcome you to the next chapter of our organization's history.

Here's to the next 50 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update how I refer to the organization?
Yes — please use Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Colorado going forward. You'll see this reflected across our website, communications and event materials.

Will my membership benefits change?
No. Your membership benefits, events, and programs remain exactly the same — only our name has changed.

Has the chapter's website or contact information changed?
Yes - our website is now CREDAColorado.org (previously naiop-colorado.org). Please update your bookmarks, and if your organization uses IT-managed firewalls or email filtering, we recommend whitelisting CREDAColorado.org and CREDAGlobal.org to ensure you continue receiving our communications and can access our site without interruption. 

Who can I contact with questions about the transition?
For membership or general questions, reach out to [email protected]. For media inquiries, contact [email protected].

Learn More

Read the full press release here.

Media inquiries: [email protected]