Bio
Todd’s practice focuses on the private and public elements of real estate development, including transactions, obtaining development approvals, and reforming land development codes. He helps both developers and regulators navigate and interpret complex land use regulations, and assists in reforming regulations that are outmoded, over-complicated, legally questionable, or ineffective.
For the private sector, Todd helps real estate developers and investors throughout the life cycle of development, including site identification, regulatory due diligence, purchase and sale agreements, title review and resolution, zoning entitlements, subdivision approvals, infrastructure reimbursement agreements, development agreements, annexation agreements, subdivision improvements agreements, easements, and licenses. This work includes research and drafting, collaboration with development team members and local government staff, neighborhood meetings, public hearing presentations, and (as necessary) appeals (both administrative and judicial). Todd also helps property owners and business owners with real estate matters including sign permits, leasing, boundary disputes (encroachments), and easement interpretation.
For public sector clients, Todd’s principal focus is regulatory reform, principally in the areas of zoning, subdivision, and sign regulations. Todd has played a central role in the reform and redrafting of a dozen Colorado land development codes, and has provided support for several more. In addition, Todd has rewritten more than a dozen Colorado sign codes to streamline procedures, promote legible and appropriately-scaled signage, and address First Amendment issues. In addition to regulatory reform, Todd provides general and special counsel services to small cities and towns dealing with issues involving planning and zoning administration, annexation, infrastructure financing, utilities, and open records. Clients rely on Todd to translate complex rules into a straightforward and practical course of action that meets their unique needs.
Todd is committed to advancing the profession, and to that end is a frequent lecturer or panelist on topics such as regulatory reform, the interplay between zoning and housing affordability, and the relationship between sign regulations and the First Amendment.
Todd’s work is informed not only by his significant experience on different sides of multifaceted issues, but also by more than 10 years of martial arts training (he is currently a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo). Taekwondo’s five core tenets—courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit—are fundamental principles that shape Todd’s approach to the practice of law.