Forte Commercial Real Estate Seals Deal for Colorado’s First “Health Capitol”

Colorado’s Health Capitol Brings Health Nonprofits Under One Roof

 June 4, 2020 — Denver, Colorado — Forte Commercial Real Estate (Forte CRE), a Denver-based commercial real estate firm, has announced the launch of Colorado’s first-ever collaborative center for nonprofit organizations working to improve the health and well being of Coloradans. Colorado’s Health Capitol (CHC) will serve as a home to leading nonprofit organizations that improve the mental, physical, social and economic health of people in Colorado. Healthier Colorado, has signed a 10-year lease for more than 26,000 square feet in a building two blocks from the State Capitol Building. Construction is scheduled to begin in July with doors opening October 2020.

Typically for non-profit organizations, high-quality real estate options are few and far between and the amenities offered at those locations are limited at best. Located in the heart of Uptown at the intersection of 17th and Grant (303 East 17th Avenue), CHC will occupy the largest floor plate in Uptown on the fourth floor (nearly 27,000 square feet) and provide state-of-the-art amenities including a conference and event center, full-time tenant receptionist, a large shared kitchen, on-site cafe, fitness center, parking garage access, five private conference rooms, three phone booths, a media production room, and a maternity and meditation space. In addition, through its Community Access Program, CHC amenities are available at no cost to mission-aligned organizations and individuals visiting Denver.

Three founding organizations have joined Healthier Colorado as anchor tenants to launch the project: The Bell Policy Center, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), and One Colorado have all signed leases to become the Health Capitol’s first tenants and partners. Also, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and Keystone Policy Center have recently joined as tenants as well.

“Colorado’s Health Capitol is a perfect example of nonprofits coming together in a spirit of  common purpose and shared mission,” said David Schrayer, Director, Real Estate & Operations at the Tides Network in San Francisco. “This collaborative effort reflects positively on all of its participants and will help them attract more donor support and employees. It will be a model for health-focused organizations across the country.”

Forte Commercial Real Estate served as the broker for the deal, negotiating the lease and playing an integral role in developing the project. “Healthier Colorado’s vision for the center was our guide throughout this project. Building the real estate and nonprofit project team; identifying the right building and negotiating the deal structure; and tapping into our contacts in the health nonprofit community to recruit tenants was all done in alignment with our client’s mission,” said Dustin Whistler, Principal, ForteCRE. “Our goal is to develop more projects in other segments and markets replicating the structure created for Colorado’s Health Capitol so nonprofits can benefit from the power of a collective bargain.”

CHC is already receiving praise locally and statewide. “This has been a difficult time for many Coloradans, but throughout this pandemic, we’ve seen the best in each other,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This announcement is another example of what Coloradans can do when they come together. The Colorado Health Capitol is an exciting new project that will be dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and social health of Coloradans. Health is such an important part of our lives, and not something we should take for granted. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this dedicated group of community leaders.”

“I’m thrilled that Denver will be home to this new collaborative health and well-being hub,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “The current pandemic has made it abundantly clear we must work together as we chart a course toward recovery and prosperity. By uniting under one roof, these organizations’ voices will be stronger, and Denver and all of Colorado will be stronger, as a result.

 About Forte Commercial Real Estate

Forte Commercial Real Estate is a Denver-based corporate and nonprofit real estate advisory firm serving clients nationwide within Bioscience, Manufacturing, Outdoor and Apparel, Nonprofit/Social Enterprise, Architecture/Engineering/Construction, Technology/Software, and Private Equity. The firm’s services include innovative strategies for office or industrial property lease administration, project management and development, transaction management, tenant representation, valuation, and counsel.