Colorado Springs Real Estate Lawyers — Property Disputes and Transactions in El Paso County
El Paso County’s real estate market has been one of Colorado’s most active for years — driven by significant population growth, military-related housing demand, commercial development along major corridors, and strong investment activity throughout the region. That level of activity brings with it a consistent volume of legal disputes: failed transactions, title defects, landlord-tenant conflicts, construction-related property issues, and commercial lease disagreements that require experienced local legal counsel. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs real estate attorneys handle transactions, disputes, and litigation for buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, investors, and developers throughout El Paso County.
Meet our Colorado Springs civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in real estate transactions, property disputes, title issues, and commercial real estate litigation throughout El Paso County and the Pikes Peak region.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Real Estate Law in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado real estate law governs everything from the formation and performance of purchase contracts to the resolution of title defects, easement disputes, landlord-tenant conflicts, and complex development transactions. In El Paso County, those issues arise in a market shaped by several distinct forces: a large military population that creates significant demand for rental housing, rapid residential development in areas like Briargate, Northgate, and Security-Widefield, substantial commercial growth along Powers Boulevard and Academy Boulevard, and a mix of long-established neighborhoods and new construction throughout the county.
Colorado real estate transactions are generally documented on Colorado Real Estate Commission standard forms, which provide a framework but allow significant room for negotiation and dispute. Commercial real estate in Colorado Springs — particularly in the defense corridor and along the city’s major commercial arterials — operates under more customized and complex contract structures that generate their own categories of dispute.
Colorado has specific statutes governing landlord-tenant relationships, HOA-governed communities, condominium ownership, and mechanic’s liens on real property. El Paso County’s significant military renter population also creates situations that intersect with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which provides specific protections for active duty military members in residential lease and real estate matters.
What Our Colorado Springs Real Estate Attorneys Handle
Real estate transaction disputes: When purchase and sale transactions in Colorado Springs go wrong — over inspection issues, title defects, financing failures, or earnest money disputes — the parties’ rights depend on the precise contract terms and Colorado real estate law. We represent buyers, sellers, and investors in disputes arising from contested or failed transactions throughout El Paso County.
Commercial leasing disputes: Colorado Springs’ commercial real estate market — retail on Academy and Powers, office and flex space in the northeast corridor, industrial and defense contractor facilities throughout the county — generates significant commercial lease disputes requiring experienced litigation counsel.
Title defects and boundary disputes: Title defects — undisclosed liens, unresolved easements, boundary encroachments, and ownership disputes — require quiet title actions and related proceedings to resolve. We handle title litigation and work with title companies and surveyors to establish and clear property rights in El Paso County.
Landlord-tenant litigation: Colorado Springs’ large rental population — including a significant military renter community — creates regular landlord-tenant disputes involving evictions, security deposits, habitability standards, and lease enforcement. We represent landlords and tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings and related disputes in El Paso County.
Military tenant and SCRA issues: Active duty military members have specific rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that affect residential leases — including the right to terminate a lease early when orders require relocation or deployment. We advise landlords on their obligations and assist military tenants in exercising their SCRA rights in Colorado Springs.
HOA and condominium disputes: El Paso County has a large number of HOA-governed communities, and disputes between homeowners and associations — over assessments, architectural review decisions, rule enforcement, and governance — require attorneys who understand Colorado’s Common Interest Ownership Act and the practical dynamics of community association disputes.
How Colorado Springs Real Estate Cases Work
Real estate disputes in El Paso County are heard in El Paso County District Court in downtown Colorado Springs. Applicable procedures vary by dispute type — CDARA’s framework applies to construction defects affecting real property; Colorado’s unlawful detainer statute governs evictions with specific notice and cure periods; quiet title actions follow standard civil procedure with additional requirements for identifying and serving all potential claimants.
Many real estate disputes are well-suited to mediation — particularly landlord-tenant matters where an ongoing relationship exists, or purchase transaction failures where the earnest money dispute can be resolved without full litigation. Colorado Real Estate Commission contracts include dispute resolution provisions, and mediation is often faster and less expensive than litigation for matters within a certain range of complexity and dollar value.
Real estate litigation requires comprehensive documentary evidence — the purchase contract, title commitment and exceptions, inspection reports, communications between the parties, and expert testimony on value or condition. Military-related real estate matters may also require SCRA documentation and military orders. Building a complete evidentiary record from the earliest stage of the dispute preserves all available options as the matter develops.
Why Burnham Law for Real Estate Disputes in Colorado Springs
El Paso County market knowledge. Real estate disputes in Colorado Springs require attorneys who understand this market — the residential growth dynamics, the commercial landscape, the military housing sector, and the local considerations that affect how disputes play out in El Paso County courts.
Military housing and SCRA experience. Colorado Springs’ large military population creates real estate legal issues that are less common in other markets — SCRA lease terminations, base housing disputes, and the special considerations that apply when active duty personnel are parties to real estate transactions or disputes. We handle these matters regularly.
Both sides of landlord-tenant disputes. We represent landlords and tenants in lease and eviction disputes. That dual experience gives us a realistic view of both perspectives and makes us effective advocates regardless of which side we represent.
Transaction and litigation capability. Real estate problems that start as transaction disputes can evolve into litigation, and vice versa. Having attorneys who are effective on both sides of that transition means clients don’t need to change counsel as their situation develops.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Springs Real Estate Lawyers
What are a military tenant’s rights under the SCRA in Colorado Springs?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gives active duty military members the right to terminate a residential lease early — with 30 days’ notice — when they receive orders for a permanent change of station, deployment of 90 days or more, or release from active duty. Military members who sign a lease before being called to active duty may also have SCRA protections. Landlords in Colorado Springs who have military tenants need to understand their obligations, and military tenants who need to break a lease should confirm their SCRA rights before taking action.
What should I do if a seller didn’t disclose a defect on my Colorado Springs home?
Colorado requires residential sellers to disclose known material defects through the Seller’s Property Disclosure form. If a seller failed to disclose a known defect — or made affirmative misrepresentations about the property — the buyer may have claims for breach of contract, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. Available remedies may include rescission of the purchase, damages equal to remediation costs, and in fraud cases, potentially punitive damages. The strength of the claim depends on what the seller knew and what was represented during the transaction.
How does the eviction process work in Colorado Springs?
Residential evictions in Colorado Springs begin with proper written notice — a Demand for Compliance or Right to Cure for lease violations, or a Notice to Quit for non-payment, with the type and duration determined by the basis for eviction. If the tenant doesn’t comply, the landlord files an unlawful detainer action in El Paso County Court. After a hearing, if the court rules for the landlord, a writ of restitution is issued and the El Paso County Sheriff enforces the eviction. Errors in the notice or filing process can restart the timeline entirely.
What is a quiet title action and when is one needed?
A quiet title action is a lawsuit filed in district court to definitively establish ownership of real property and clear competing claims or defects from the title. Common situations requiring quiet title actions in El Paso County include old unresolved liens, conflicting deed records, adverse possession claims, and easement disputes. The judgment in a quiet title action is binding on all identified parties and permanently clears the title for future transactions, financing, and transfers.
Can a commercial lease be broken if the tenant’s business fails?
A commercial lease is a binding contract, and a tenant whose business fails remains liable for rent through the end of the lease term unless the lease contains specific provisions allowing early termination or the landlord agrees to a negotiated exit. Landlords have a duty to mitigate damages by making reasonable efforts to re-let the space, but a tenant who abandons a commercial lease typically remains liable for any shortfall between what they owed and what the landlord is able to recover from a replacement tenant. The specific analysis depends heavily on the lease’s terms.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Real Estate Lawyer
Real estate disputes in El Paso County involve significant financial stakes and legal frameworks that require experienced local counsel. Whether you’re in a transaction that’s going sideways, a landlord-tenant dispute that has escalated, or a title or boundary conflict that needs resolution, getting qualified legal help early protects your position.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs real estate attorneys represent buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, investors, and developers throughout El Paso County and the Pikes Peak region.
