Denver remains one of the nation’s largest new-home markets, but its ranking slipped to No. 20 on Zonda’s Local Leaders list for the past two years, and sales activity fell in 2025.
At the Zonda Denver Dealmakers gathering, analysts will outline trends that shaped performance in 2026 and point to growth opportunities.
Second-quarter closings dropped 17% year over year, the lowest level in five years. Annual starts fell 20% and the sales pace has generally been lower over the past 12 months, though recent month-to-month data show slight improvement.
Evan Forrest, Ali Wolf, Nicollette Chapman and Tim Sullivan will join builders from View Homes, Shea Homes, PulteGroup, Trumark Homes and Oakwood Homes to share on-the-ground insights.
Through July, attached-home sales rose 1.3% YoY, outperforming detached sales that slipped 11%. At the same time, attached projects increased 19%, suggesting builders are reacting to affordability pressure and shifting buyer demand despite regulatory challenges.
The median new-home price fell nearly 10% YoY while inventories rose. Vacant developable lot supply jumped 40% from a year earlier, leaving the market slightly oversupplied.
Denver ends 2026 with employment tailwinds. City leaders launched the Denver Jobs Agenda, a $100 million program aimed at creating 10,000 jobs over three years, a response to slowing job growth and recent corporate departures.
Mayor Mike Johnston said Denver is courting several major employers after Palantir moved to Miami.
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is in talks with 52 companies.
