Bruce A. Kolbezen

Counsel Member

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Phone: 719.448.4030

Fax:

[email protected]

Education

  • J.D., University of Colorado School of Law (1978)
  • B.A., Colorado College (1975)
    • Magna cum laude

Bruce Kolbezen has been negotiating, structuring, and closing real estate transactions and complex finance arrangements for more than 40 years.

Bruce’s real estate lending experience includes loan structuring, due diligence and origination, loan modifications, restructurings and workouts, discounted loan sales, loan portfolio purchases, loan enforcement, including receiverships, deeds-in-lieu and foreclosures, and collateral dispositions. His real estate experience includes advising clients on acquisitions, divestitures, and leasing issues.

He represents national life insurance companies, real estate investors and real estate investment firms, regional and community banks, conduit lenders, and a wide variety of companies with regard to their real estate needs and related commercial law matters. Well-versed in many aspects of commercial real estate and finance arrangements, Bruce has built long-term client relationships, some spanning his entire career.

Highly regarded for his skill and knowledge, he is often called on to serve as regional counsel to lenders on their real estate lending activities in Colorado and a number of western states. He is a fellow of the preeminent American College of Mortgage Attorneys, has been named a Colorado Super Lawyer for Real Estate and Banking and a Colorado Springs Top Attorney, and he is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale.

Experience

  • Negotiated and documented modification of a shopping center loan, including a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure on a portion of the real estate collateral, to accommodate redevelopment of a shopping center previously anchored by Walmart.
  • Structured and documented a long-term lease of improved real property by a charitable foundation, as landlord, to a national nonprofit entity, as tenant. By structuring the lease to provide annual gifting of undivided tenants-in-common interests by the foundation to the tenant, the foundation was able to achieve a safe investment return and meet its annual distribution requirements.
  • As lead counsel for a real estate lender, coordinated mechanics lien litigation, foreclosure, receivership, and deficiency action in Colorado state court, with the separate equity receivership in the U.S. District Court by the owners of beneficial interests in the borrowing entity.

Publications & Presentations

PUBLICATIONS

  • The Colorado Credit Agreement Act and Its Impact on Lenders and Borrowers (co-author)
    The Colorado Lawyer, Vol. 36, No. 6 [republished in Journals & Law Reviews database on WESTLAW; and republished in Fall 2007 Edition of The Abstract, American College of Mortgage Attorneys] | 2007

 

PRESENTATIONS

  • Frequent presenter at client and industry group seminars on survey, title, loan workout and Revised Article 9 matters

Professional Activities

  • American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow
  • Colorado Bar Association, Real Estate Section, former council member

Highlights

  • “Top Attorney,” Real Estate Law, Colorado Springs Style Magazine (2017 – 2018)
  • “Real Estate,” Colorado, Super Lawyers (2011 – 2016)
  • Named to Colorado Corporate Counsel Black Book for real estate acquisition and divesture work (2007)
  • “Outstanding Scholar – Athlete,” Colorado College Van Diest Award
  • NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship (1 of 33 nationally)
  • Phi Gamma Delta Graduate Fellowship (1 of 3 nationally)
  • Phi Beta Kappa