Kirsten J. Crawford
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Kirsten J. Crawford

Partner

Denver
303.825.7000

Kirsten Crawford is an experienced land use and real estate attorney, specializing in complex land use and zoning entitlements, public financing mechanisms, and structuring development to achieve the goals of both the public and private sector.

Kirsten has invaluable public sector experience from her time as Town Attorney for Breckenridge, CO, where she handled land use and development matters central to balancing the needs of the affordable housing needs of the local workforce with the world class resort economy. Additionally, Kirsten held prominent roles with the City and County of Denver, first as Legislative Counsel for the Denver City Council and later as a Staff Attorney for Denver International Airport.

Kirsten has held several municipal leadership positions where she has effectively guided stakeholders through complex public policy issues, legislation development, charter reform, and prepared numerous ballot questions and TABOR measures.

Representative Experience

Prior to Joining the Firm

  • While serving as Breckenridge Town Attorney, Kirsten negotiated and drafted a wide array of land use entitlement legal instruments, including annexation, zoning, and real estate agreements for Breckenridge’s largest mixed-use development that included a 36-room hotel, single and multifamily residential development, and rental restricted workforce and affordable housing units.
  • As Legislative Counsel for the Denver City Council, Kirsten served as a top leader in the City Attorney’s Office overseeing legal advice on high-level policy matters for the City. Kirsten has developed exceptional legal draftsmanship having lead efforts for complex regulatory frameworks, and formal legal opinions to decide important issues of law. Kirsten’s unique responsibilities included serving as impartial legal advisor to the Denver County Court, overseeing review and comment hearings on citizen initiatives, providing new board member training and orientation for over 130 of Denver’s boards and commissions, and overseeing Denver’s legal analysis of state bills introduced at the Colorado General Assembly.
  • Advised the City of Denver on complying with election laws and rules for referring measures to the ballot such as drafting ballot titles in compliance with single subject rules, strategy for crafting ballot questions, and deadlines for adoption of ordinances to meet ballot production.
  • Negotiated agreements for innovative public/private venture involving land contribution from county and modular units from private partner, with expedited approval process leading to development of 60-unit workforce housing project that has garnered state and national recognition.
  • Served in leadership roles for diversity and inclusiveness boards and
    initiatives; legal education and mentorship programs; and initiatives for cross departmental collaboration.
  • Negotiated and drafted agreements and legal transactions including acquisition and disposition of real property, purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, easements, restrictive covenants, deeds of trust, promissory notes, appreciation limiting notes, and agreements for design, construction, and professional services.
  • Implemented innovative legal frameworks, setting a precedent for efficient municipal operations and governance, and administrative compliance program leading to dramatic increase in regulatory compliance.
  • Advised elected/appointed municipal officials and employees on federal, state, and municipal laws, including home rule charter interpretation, land use, rezoning, development, municipal finance, open meetings, open records, collective bargaining.
  • Negotiated and drafted capital construction and professional services contracts for major infrastructure projects, including federally funded projects.

Resources and News

News