10550 Highway 73, Conifer, CO – A Dolby Haas Real Estate Success Story
Every now and then a property comes along that makes even seasoned agents shake their heads and mutter, “Well… this should be fun.”
10550 Highway 73 in Conifer was that property.
A few years ago, this 10.35-acre foothills compound could’ve been picked up for roughly $150,000. At the time, the vision was there — big lot, mountain views, an 8,000+ square foot structure with endless potential — but none of the actual legal or zoning foundations were.
Fast-forward to the eventual sale, and we closed it for a fantastic number. But getting there? That was a marathon of problem-solving, negotiation, and sheer persistence. This wasn’t just a sale; it was a rescue mission.
The Seller Built First… and Asked Permission Never
Most properties come with building permits, zoning approvals, water rights, and the basic items that make the county smile and nod.
This one… didn’t.
The seller, bless his pioneering spirit, had spent years “building as he went.” No established zoning for the actual use.
No completed water rights.
No properly recorded easements.
No coherent site plan.
And a structure that mixed residential, commercial, and “creative interpretation of the building code.”
Think of it like a mountain version of Swiss cheese — but with more paperwork missing.
The result? A property that looked valuable but couldn’t be financed, insured, or approved for many uses until someone untangled the mess.

Enter Dolby Haas:

The Hurdles We Had to Solve (and There Were Many)
Here’s a taste of what we had to tackle:
1. Zoning Mismatch
The property wasn’t zoned for what had been built. We had to work with Jefferson County to clarify allowable uses, establish compliant categories, and position the property so buyers could actually use it.
2. Water Rights & Well Issues
The mountain West loves nothing more than complicated water law.
We had to sort out:
• well rights
• permitted uses
• historical use documentation
• and get the county comfortable enough not to send the sheriff after us
3. Missing Easements
Some access was being used… but not legally granted.
We had to secure, document, record, and clean up the access situation so a closing could even occur.
4. Structural & Use Confusion
Parts of the building were residential.
Parts were commercial.
Parts were “I guess this is a warehouse now.”
Parts were… let’s just call them creative.
We had to position this in the market as a mixed-use, live/work, investor-friendly opportunity without triggering zoning nightmares.
5. Buyer Qualification Challenges
This was not the kind of property that a conventional loan would touch.
We had to find:
• the right buyer
• the right lender
• the right underwriter
• and the right story
And we had to get all of them to say “yes” at the same time.
How We Pulled It All Together
This sale was equal parts real estate experience, negotiation skill, and crisis management.
We coordinated:
• attorneys
• county officials
• surveyors
• well and water specialists
• lenders
• appraisers
• and a very patient buyer
Each issue was a domino — solve one and it knocked down the next obstacle.
Bit by bit, we rebuilt the legal framework the seller never created, positioned the property correctly, crafted a strategy to highlight its enormous potential, and executed a marketing plan that attracted the right kind of buyer.
And in the end? It closed at a terrific price — far beyond what it could’ve fetched in its original condition.
Why This Story Matters for Buyers & Sellers

For Sellers:

If your property has quirks, oddities, missing permits, unfinished work, encroachments, or “things you meant to get around to”…
Don’t panic.
Call someone who knows how to fix it.

Complicated properties aren’t deal-killers — they’re opportunities when handled correctly.

For Buyers:

Some of the best upside in Colorado real estate comes from non-standard properties.
Acreage + flexibility + location is a formula that wins, if you have someone who can guide you through the maze.

For Everyone Else:

Yes, you really can build something without asking the county…
But eventually someone has to clean it up.

In this case, that someone was us.

If you’ve got a mountain property (or any property) with “history”… let’s talk.

We specialize in taking complicated listings and turning them into success stories.
Whether it’s zoning, water rights, odd structures, failed attempts, or a property that scares normal agents — we know how to handle it.

Call or text Grant at 720-515-1820 and let’s see how we can turn your unique property into your next success story.


* **Opportunity type:** Strong fit for an **owner-user** or **value-add investor**
* **Pricing:** **$148 per square foot**
* **Income upside:** Currently **below-market rents**

* Value creation through **lease-up** and **rent increases**
* **Stabilization** seen as achievable with **month-to-month** or **year-to-year leases**
* **Owner-user upside:** Ability to **expand operations** by occupying existing **vacant areas**
* **Repositioning flexibility:**

* **Vacant suites** can be converted to:

* **Multi-family apartments**
* **Office**
* **Retail**
* Add value by **reconfiguring finished and unfinished square footage**
* Potential to **add additional buildings**
* **Zoning:** **Agricultural**
* **Property basics:**

* **Built in 1994**
* **3 lots**
* **Total land:** **10.35 acres**
* **Location highlights:**

* About **6 minutes** to **three Open Space parks**
* About **11 minutes** to a **State Park**
* **Downtown Denver:** ~**30 miles east**
* **Denver International Airport:** ~**55 miles east**
* **1 mile** to dining and RTD **Park-n-Ride**
* **1.5 miles** to shopping
* **Residential components: Two apartments**

* **Apartment 1 (two-level):**

* Bright, **vaulted**, open floorplan
* Main level living room, dining room, full kitchen
* Upper level **loft**, large bedroom with **en suite 3/4 bath**
* **Walk-in closet**
* Access to a **private balcony**
* **Apartment 2 (single level):**

* Open floorplan
* Living room open to full kitchen
* Built-in table and breakfast bar
* Side area ideal for **office/craft/dining**
* Tile floors in main areas
* **2 bedrooms**, each with attached **3/4 bath**
* **3 oversized walk-in closets**
* Hardwood flooring
* **Ground-level and basement potential:**

* Flexible ground-level spaces
* Large area partially divided with **unfinished gypcrete floor**
* Unfinished walk-out basement includes a **1,600 SqFt** space with **20’ ceilings**

* Potential to add a second level and gain **an additional 1,600 SqFt**
* **Concrete slab floors**, **concrete walls**
* **Large double entry doors**
* Great fit for **retail, workshop, or storage**
* **Views and setting:**

* **Fantastic mountain views** from all units
* Panoramic **Front Range vistas** from decks and balcony
* Wooded property with mature **ponderosa, lodgepole, and Douglas fir**
* Short on-site trails
* **Parking:** **Abundant** parking in an existing level open area