Last week, several Young Leaders had the opportunity to have breakfast with Kirk Monroe, Executive Director of Lending Services at Vectra Bank Colorado and the ULI Colorado District Chair. Discussion topics included: the growth of Denver driven by infrastructure projects (light rail and airport), decline in resort/lifestyle accommodation, increases in multi-family (the equivalent of PRS here in the UK) construction and spec development for industrial and office, growth driven by the energy sector and operating businesses over manufacturing, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for public projects and the surprising difference in capital values. There was also an interesting conversation around the ULI as an organisation and the engagement between the public and private sector. Specifically, the ULI Colorado Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) an annual mentoring program for roughly 35 women and minority-based individuals lasting approximately 4 months in length with the intent of educating the entire real estate process, from permitting to certificate of occupancy.