Sarah Rockwell’s practice emphasizes land use, real estate, and public and private sector negotiations.  Sarah has practiced in both Colorado and California, representing both public and private sector clients in land use, real estate, entitlement, and municipal law issues associated with small and large-scale development projects, including transit-oriented development projects, residential, industrial, and commercial development projects and airports.

Sarah currently advises clients on real estate and land use issues associated with a variety of public and private sector development projects.  She has advised on and prepared entitlement documents, real estate, public financing, and other project agreements, including development agreements and other agreements associated with public/private sector development projects.  Sarah also has advised several airport clients on land use compatibility issues associated with land adjacent to the airports and counseled both public and private entities on the preparation of habitat conservation plans under the federal Endangered Species Act and other endangered species issues.  Additionally, she has served as an expert witness in arbitration and court proceedings involving land use and zoning issues.

Representative Experience

Broadway Station (former Gates Site) Redevelopment, Denver, Colorado
Advising owner of the former Gates site in Denver, Colorado regarding land use, entitlement, zoning, and public finance issues associated with new mixed-use community at I-25 and Broadway

Peña Station, City and County of Denver, Colorado
Represented the City and County of Denver on a public-private partnership in connection with the Peña Station area transit-oriented development project, including negotiations with adjacent landowners, agreements related to $50 million infrastructure financing, and real estate issues

Alameda Station, Denver, Colorado
Represented developer of the Alameda Station transit-oriented development project in negotiating, drafting, and finalizing agreements with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and other parties associated with the purchase of property from RTD and development of a new transit plaza and associated private development

Federal Center Station Neighborhood, Lakewood, Colorado
Represented the City of Lakewood related to discussions with the General Services Administration regarding property acquisition and development issues

Stapleton Redevelopment, Denver, Colorado
Represent redeveloper of former Stapleton Airport into new mixed use community, addressing issues related to entitlements, affordable housing, real estate and infrastructure issues.

The Orchard Town Center, Westminster, Colorado
Represented developer of the Orchard Town Center in preparing master development agreement, entitlement documents, and other agreements with the City associated with the Orchard Town Center development

The Meadows, Castle Rock, Colorado
Advised owner of The Meadows project regarding real estate and habitat conservation planning issues associated with project

Professional and Civic Activities / Awards

• Downtown Denver Partnership Management Group (2009-Present); Current Chair
• Denver Civic Ventures (Chair, July 2019–Present; Member, 2006–Present)
• Best Lawyers^® Summer Business Edition for Land Use & Zoning Law (2018)
• Member, Colorado ULI Executive Committee (2017–2020)
• Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce, Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Denver (2017)
• Best Lawyers in America^® for Land Use & Zoning Law (2007–2022)
• Best Lawyers^® Land Use & Zoning "Lawyer of the Year" award for Denver (2011, 2018, 2022)
• Super Lawyers^® for Land Use & Zoning Law; Real Estate Law (2006, 2008–2023)
• Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Band 1 (2005–2022)
• 5280’s Top Lawyer for Government Relations/Contracts/Lobbying Law (2015, 2019)
• Board of Directors, Winter Park Recreational Association (October 2012–September 2017; President, October 2016–September 2017)
• ULI Community Development Product Council (2014–2015)
• Regional Advisory Board, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (2004–Present)
• Board of Directors, Lowry Redevelopment Authority (Chair, August 2012–August 2013; Member,1997–August 2013)
• Past Chair, Downtown Denver Partnership Housing Policy Task Force (2010, 2014)
• Member of Expert Roundtable on Affordable Housing and Transit organized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (2010)
• City and County of Denver Infrastructure Priorities Task Force/City Facilities Subcommittee (2006)
• Former Board Member, Colorado Preservation, Inc. (2005–2008)
• Former Board Member, Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers (1995–2005)
• Colorado ULI Technical Advisory Panels (University Hill, Boulder; Oak Street Station, Lakewood; 10^th and Sheridan, Lakewood; Englewood CityCenter)