Our philosophy is to seek pragmatic results that address our clients’ needs while assertively pursuing outcomes favorable to their interests.
We carefully examine legal disputes and issues from a client-oriented perspective, working to minimize complications and resolve disputes efficiently. However, compromise is not always possible. When it cannot be achieved, we take an organized, no-nonsense approach to accomplish our clients’ interests and aggressively fight for them when appropriate.
Real estate can be one of the largest investments an individual or organization makes, and the real estate market in Aspen and its surrounding areas is unique in many ways. Even the simplest transaction benefits from review by an experienced lawyer familiar with local issues. Additionally, as the residential and commercial real estate market in Aspen continues to flourish, there are ample opportunities to take advantage of development and expansion, areas in which we can assist with planning and obtaining necessary governmental approvals.
We provide legal counsel for a broad range of real estate matters including:
- Title reviews and title claims
- Real estate closings
- Commercial and residential Leases
- Preparing and reviewing loan documents
- Due diligence
- Working with regulatory agencies
- Negotiating financing and lender workouts
- Survey reviews
- Working with municipalities on land use and entitlement issues
- Negotiation and drafting of easements and deed restrictions
Litigation calls for the attention of a highly skilled and experienced legal team. Our attorneys have extensive backgrounds offering diligent, high-quality legal representation in complex real estate and commercial disputes and deliver results effectively and efficiently.
Our approach to litigation is practical yet assertive. We examine all aspects of the situation so we can identify the problem and develop a legal strategy to reach a favorable outcome for our clients. Our litigation attorneys have in-depth knowledge of the law and the courtroom experience necessary to handle even the most complicated case. Our ability to anticipate likely outcomes allows us to tailor our legal approach to fit each of our clients’ unique needs. Our practice encompasses disputes between private parties as well as matters involving local, state, and federal government entities.
Because we actively practice in related areas such as business and real estate law, we have the perspective to recognize when matters cross domains and understand that certain strategies may affect other practical concerns. Knowing this allows us work pragmatically to avoid complications that could arise in the future.
We handle a wide range of real estate disputes, including those involving:
- Construction liens
- Boundary and easement disputes
- Lease disputes
- Title disputes, quieting title and adverse possession
- Construction disputes and defects
- Homeowners’ association (HOA) disputes and document enforcement
- Land use and entitlement negotiation and disputes
- Takings claims
- Contract disputes
- Foreclosures
- Landlord and tenant disputes
Some of the commercial litigation issues we handle involve:
- Contract and lease disputes
- Representation of LLCs and other business entities
- Vendor disputes
- Business and employment disputes
Klein Coté Edwards Citron LLC is recognized in Aspen, Basalt, Snowmass Village, Telluride, Pitkin County, Eagle County, Garfield County, San Miguel County and throughout the state of Colorado for its outstanding legal work in land use and governmental law. Our lawyers represent individuals, developers, governmental entities and real estate professionals in matters ranging from subdivision planning to contract disputes to legal issues relating to eminent domain. Our level of expertise in land use and zoning law is unparalleled in our area and our track record speaks for itself.
An example of our creative, solution-oriented problem solving is the Willits Town Center, located mid-valley and created through an annexation into the Town of Basalt. This new urbanist development of over 600,000 square feet was created through a lengthy and contested land use process with extensive negotiations resulting in a vibrant commercial core and residential community providing substantial community benefits in the areas of arts, culture and workforce housing.
We handle a broad range of land use entitlement matters, including:
- Annexation
- Growth management
- Historic preservation
- Affordable housing
- Condominium development and documentation
- Environmentally sensitive area development
- Vested rights issues
- Subdivision
- Special review
- Transferrable development rights
- Conservation easements
- Common interest communities
- Impact fee issues
- Planned unit developments (PUD)
- Activity envelopes and site plans
- Rezoning
- Timeshare development and documentation
- Nonconforming uses and structures
- Taking analysis
Our team provides advice and representation to assist developers and construction professionals from the acquisition and planning stage, through obtaining entitlements, to the negotiation of entitlement approval documents with governmental entities, and negotiation of financing and construction loans all of the way to final sale of developed property.
Our services include:
- Entity formation
- Financing
- State registrations
- Condominium and planned community documents and organization
- Representing owners, contractors and architects in their contracts and relationships
Our firm provides comprehensive legal services for both residential and commercial leasing matters. We offer expert guidance to landlords, tenants, property managers, and investors. Our services include:
For residential leases:
- Drafting and reviewing lease agreements
- Security deposit disputes
- Eviction proceedings
- Rental property regulations and zoning issues
For Commercial Leases:
- Negotiating and structuring complex commercial leases
- Retail, office, shopping center and industrial property transactions
- Triple net (NNN) lease agreements
- Sublease and assignment matters
- Lease terminations and buyouts
An example of our commercial leasing efforts is in 2024, when our founding member, Herb Klein, was selected by Pitkin County (the owner of the Pitkin County Airport), to represent it in negotiating a thirty-year lease for the FBO serving the private aircraft users at the airport. Through Herb’s efforts, the county will realize over one-billion dollars in rents and public improvements.
Whether you’re a property owner looking to protect your investments or a tenant seeking to understand your rights, our team is dedicated to providing personalized, practical solutions tailored to the local market. We strive to minimize risks and maximize value for all our clients in their leasing endeavors.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your residential or commercial leasing needs.
The firm specializes in guiding Homeowner Associations, real estate investors and developers through the crucial process of entity formation, negotiation of governing documents and entity management.
Our Services Include:
- Formation of Homeowners Associations, LLCs, corporations, partnerships and joint ventures
- Drafting and reviewing declaration of covenants, operating agreements, shareholder agreements and bylaws
- Structuring ownership and management roles
- Assisting with entity governance, maintenance and compliance
When disputes arise, our experienced litigators are prepared to vigorously defend your interests. We handle a wide range of real estate entity-related litigation, including:
- Ownership disputes and buyouts
- Breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Contract disputes between partners or members
- Dissolution proceedings
- Disputes between owners and Homeowner Associations
We provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. We are committed to helping you establish a solid foundation for your real estate ventures and protect your interests should conflicts arise.
Our Public-Private Joint Ventures practice area specializes in navigating the complex landscape of collaborations between government agencies and private-sector companies in the development of real estate. We assist clients in structuring partnerships that leverage the resources of the public and private sectors to bring transformative projects to life.
One example is the 258-unit Burlingame Workforce Housing project and the luxury Stage Road Subdivision single family parcel development located next to the Maroon Creek Club in Aspen. Our firm represented the owner of a 150-acre ranch located in Pitkin County, having meager development rights under the County’s rural zoning. An annexation into the City of Aspen and custom zoning was negotiated that resulted in the land-owner’s contribution of twenty acres to the City for the Burlingame housing project in exchange for valuable entitlements to develop ten single family lots with houses of up to 10,000 sq. ft each, plus another 1100 sq. ft for individual caretaker units, and the preservation of historically irrigated ranchland. The value added to the community by the contribution of the land for the Burlingame project is immeasurable and the value to the landowner is measured in many tens of millions of dollars.
Our services include:
- Advising on partnership structures, from simple outsourcing agreements to complex joint ventures.
- Negotiating risk allocation and financial contributions between public and private entities.
- Drafting and reviewing long-term contracts, typically spanning 20-30 years.
- Ensuring compliance with public sector objectives while maximizing private sector efficiency.
- Structuring deals for various project types, including public facilities, infrastructure, and urban development.
With our deep understanding of both public and private sector priorities, we help clients navigate regulatory complexities, secure financing, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes in public-private real estate ventures.
With our firm’s experience in this area, we can assist our clients in navigating the complex landscape of conservation easements, a powerful tool for land preservation and environmental stewardship. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between landowners and qualified organizations, such as land trusts or government agencies, that permanently limit uses of the land to protect its conservation values.
We assist clients in:
- Drafting and negotiating conservation easement agreements
- Advising on property valuation and appraisal processes
- Resolving disputes and enforcement issues related to existing easements
Our experienced attorneys understand the delicate balance between preserving natural resources and maintaining property rights. We work closely with landowners, conservation organizations, and government entities to create lasting legacies of land protection while maximizing potential financial benefits for our clients. As examples, we have helped preserve large swaths of the Roaring Fork, Capital and Snowmass Creek Valleys, thousands of acres in San Miguel County and Gunnision County, as well as negotiated a complex Conservation Easement with Aspen and Pitkin County to forever preserve Shadow Mountain overlooking downtown Aspen.
Whether you’re a property owner considering a conservation easement or an organization looking to acquire one, our team is here to provide expert guidance throughout the process.
With our deep understanding of construction laws and industry practices, we help property owners, developers, architects, and contractors protect their interests and resolve conflicts efficiently. Our goal is to minimize risks, maximize project success, and provide cost-effective solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
We provide comprehensive legal services for:
- Drafting and reviewing architect and contractor contracts
- Negotiating terms and conditions
- Resolving payment disputes and mechanics’ liens
- Addressing construction defects and delays
- Handling breach of contract claims
- Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation
Individuals and small-business owners require astute and specific advice when trying to resolve a challenge or a dispute. The team at Klein Coté Edwards Citron LLC has a strong focus in the field of business law and is led by experienced attorneys and litigators. We advise individuals with regard to drafting contracts, and advocate aggressively for business owners in resolving complex disputes. We are proud to work with local businesses as well as national clients throughout Colorado.
Our lawyers analyze a business’ needs and goals and assist in creating an LLC, partnership, S corporation or C-corporation to meet them. We also provide assistance with all related matters including:
- Buying and selling businesses
- Lease negotiation preparation
- Drafting and reviewing contracts
- Employment matters and litigation
- Contract negotiations
- Financing advice
Though established in Aspen, Colorado, we also serve clients in Hawaii.
We advise our clients on issues relating to:
- Subdivision planning
- Historic preservation
- Review of development documents
- Land permits
- Special review
- Condominium and homeowners’ association matters
We also assist with all steps of starting a business, including:
- Choosing an entity
- Contract negotiations
- Providing advice about financing
- Drafting and reviewing contracts
- Employment matters and litigation
- Buying and selling a business
