SMDRA WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS • FEBRUARY 6, 2026

FY 2026 Spending Package Funds

Critical Housing Programs

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the House approved and President Trump signed a fiscal year 2026 spending package, clearing the way for the government to reopen after a brief partial government shutdown that began early on Jan. 31. The House voted Tuesday afternoon to pass the legislation following Senate approval last Friday.

FREE EDUCATION FOR SMDRA MEMBERS!

ALL CLASSES except designations and certifications are FREE for SMDRA members.

Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation

DATE: Tue & Wed, February 24 &25, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm Each Day

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 12

INSTUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

COST: $225 Members / $275 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: According to NAR's 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, Baby Boomers now constitute a remarkable 52% of all sellers. In addition, they overtook millennials in 2022 as the largest cohort of homebuyers. The impact of this demographic on our market is undeniable, making it essential for real estate professionals to be well-prepared to counsel and assist them in the home buying and selling process.

The SRES® designation course is designed to instill knowledge, understanding and empathy for 50+ real estate clients and customers. By completing this intensive two-day, 12 CE credit course, you will develop the business-building skills and resources needed to specialize in the 50+ real estate market. The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including selling family homes, buying rental properties and assisting seniors with transitions to senior communities.

Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)

Certification

DATE: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 6

INSTUCTOR: Rich Sands

COST: $129 Members / $159 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to enhance your skills on pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values.

Determining property values depends more than ever on professional expertise and competence, the best use of technology, and approaching the pricing assignment from various perspectives. Enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values with the PSA certification.

The key to competitive home pricing is becoming proficient at comparative market analyses (CMAs). In this class, you will learn how to evaluate the existing real estate market to take the guesswork out of pricing homes. 

February Connections & Cocktails Valentine's Day Pizza Party

DATE: Thursday, February 12, 2026

TIME: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

TOPIC: Connections & Cocktails Member Networking

FEBRUARY THEME: Valentine’s Day Pizza Party

THIS IS A SMDRA MEMBER ONLY EVENT!

Every second Thursday of the month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm for Connections & Cocktails, our lively networking event designed exclusively for SMDRA members! Enjoy delightful cocktails, light appetizers, and vibrant music spun by our DJ Member.

Love is in the air… and so is the smell of hot pizza and fresh-baked sweets!

Join us for Connections, Cocktails & Confections, a Valentine-themed edition of our monthly networking favorite, NOW featuring a Sweet Treat Bake-Off inspired by the huge success of our Chili Cook-Off showdown.

This fun, casual evening brings together the best ingredients: great people, great food, and a little friendly competition.

Come and Enjoy:

• A pizza party perfect for sharing, mingling, and fueling conversations
• Cocktails & connection with fellow REALTORS® and Affiliates
• A Sweet Treat Bake-Off, where homemade desserts compete for sweet bragging rights
• A festive Valentine’s atmosphere full of love, laughter, and networking

Bring your best baked creation to compete, or simply come hungry and ready to mingle. Whether you’re here for the pizza, the desserts, or the connections, this is one February event you won’t want to miss.

Come for the pizza. Stay for the sweets. Leave with new connections. 

CONNECTIONS & COCKTAILS SPONSOR: Karen Hyman, Fidelity National Home Warranty

https://www.homewarranty.com/

February Power Lunch: FinCEN is Coming: What REALTORS Need to Know Before March 1, 2026

DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking

11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor

11:30am-1:00pm – Program

TOPIC: FinCEN Is Coming: What REALTORS® Need to Know Before March 1, 2026

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: Gina Galati, SVP, Colorado Operations Manager, WFG National Title

SESSION INFORMATION: Starting March 1, 2026, a new federal rule from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will apply to certain U.S. residential real estate transactions, particularly all-cash purchases involving LLCs or trusts. This Power Lunch will break down what FinCEN is, why real estate is impacted, and how the new requirements may affect transaction timelines, documentation, and client expectations. REALTORS® will learn practical steps they can take now, including setting expectations with cash buyers, involving settlement agents earlier, and educating clients calmly to help ensure smoother, compliant transactions moving forward.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR: Checkmate Moving and Storage https://checkmatemoving.com/

March Town Hall Talks Member Meeting: Your Feedback in Action: What the 2026 Member Survey Told Us

DATE: Friday, March 6, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 10:00am

COST: This is a SMDRA Member Only Event

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: SMDRA Leadership & Stadd

TOPIC: Your Feedback in Action: What the 2026 SMDRA Member Survey Told Us

SESSION INFORMATION: Town Hall Talks are on the first Friday of every month. This will be a general SMDRA membership and marketing meeting. An opportunity to catch up on what’s happening at SMDRA, a brief informational presentation, property marketing, buyers and seller’s needs, networking with fellow SMDRA members and OF COURSE DONUTS!

Join us for March Town Hall Talks as we share highlights from the 2026 SMDRA Member Survey and walk through what you told us, what we heard, and how your feedback is helping guide future programs, benefits, education, and advocacy efforts.

This session is all about transparency, conversation, and connection, plus a look at where we’re headed together in the year ahead. Come ask questions, share insights, and be part of the ongoing dialogue that helps strengthen your Association.

And yes… coffee, donuts, and great conversations included.

TOWN HALL TALKS SPONSOR: Marissa Brennan with First American Title

https://www.firstam.com/title-insurance-and-settlement-services/

2026 Diamond Circle Awards:

Denim & Diamonds

DATE: Friday, April 24, 2026

TIME: 5:30pm-10:00pm

Cocktails & Networking: 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Dinner & Awards: 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Dancing & Celebration: 9:30 to 10:00pm

LOCATION: Marriott Denver Tech Center

A CELEBRATION OF YOU! Denim. Diamonds. Distinction.

Don’t miss the most iconic celebration of the year as we honor the top producers of the South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association.

This year, the Diamond Circle Awards shine with a Denim & Diamonds twist, where Colorado grit meets diamond-level results. Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration as we honor REALTORS® whose dedication, expertise, and performance truly set them apart.

NEW FOR 2026: There are no application fees to be recognized. All members who qualify based on REcolorado production reports will be automatically honored in the Carat Club, with recognition levels ranging from Carat Levels 1 through 5.

These exceptional professionals achieved outstanding levels of production in real estate transactions between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, proving that hard work, integrity, and excellence never go out of style.

From timeless denim to brilliant diamonds, this evening is a true celebration of achievement, connection, and success—because this shine was earned.

SPONSORSHIPS: Available Here

Get the SMDRA Market Trends & Statistics for December 2025

NAR's Consumer Guide Series

Are You Ready to Invest in Real Estate?

National Association of REALTORS®

National Association of REALTORS®

NAR continues to roll out our “Consumer Guide” series, and they are pleased to share the latest resources on offers of compensation for home sellers. These resources cover the process and options available for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent and the reasons why this may be a compelling strategy for sellers to consider when marketing their property.

NAR hopes you are finding these resources to be useful, and they encourage you to continue to distribute them to inquiring consumers so they are armed with the information they need as they begin working with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

3-2-1 Capitol Connection

Colorado Association of REALTORS

2026 REALTOR® Day Under the Dome. The Capitol is filled with REALTOR® energy this week as nearly 100 members come together to engage directly with Colorado’s General Assembly. Throughout the day, members will work to help lawmakers understand how policies – such as those around vacancy taxes and artificial intelligence – affect workplace safety, housing, property rights, and communities across Colorado. The conversations are thoughtful and productive, strengthening relationships and reinforcing the value of real-world expertise in the policymaking process. Events like REALTOR® Day Under the Dome are essential to strong advocacy, ensuring REALTORS® have a trusted seat at the table and influential voice where it matters most.

REcolorado Biweekly Newsletter

REcolorado

REcolorado bi-weekly newsletter for January 22, 2026

RPAC UPDATES

Get on the Bus 2026:

REALTOR Day at the Capitol

Nick Bokone - SMDRA Government Affairs

SMDRA is pleased to announce that we will again be asking members to “Get on the Bus” and join us at our annual REALTOR Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 11th.

Details are still being confirmed, but we expect our chartered bus to leave SMDRA at 8:00 am that day and return sometime around 3:00pm. We’ll have a private briefing during the ride to the Capitol from CAR VP of Public Policy Brian Tanner.

This day is a great chance to not only see how your state legislature works, but to advocate for specific policies supported by the Colorado Association of REALTORS and the real estate industry. We’ll spend time one on one with our elected officials and talk to them about things that matter most to our business.

Look for a link to sign up for this special day soon and mark your calendars now to attend on March 11, 2026! 

A Year of Wins: How Your Advocacy Dues Fueled Big Victories in 2025

NAR REALTOR Party

NAR is one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country, and 2025 was no exception! From Congress to the White House to state capitols and the courts, NAR Advocacy was everywhere. In this episode, Shannon and Patrick do a deep dive on the legislation, regulations and rulings that impacted housing supply and affordability, property rights and fair housing, and REALTORS®' ability to run their businesses. 

This edition of the SMDRA Weekly Newsletter is made possible by our Corporate Sponsors:

SMDRA Event Rentals

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Your Holiday Party This Year?

SMDRA Event & Meeting Rentals

SMDRA REALTOR Member

Benefit - Forewarn!

SMDRA is thrilled to announce a COMPLIMENTARY proactive safety and lead intelligence service for all SMDRA REALTOR Members!

NEW AT FOREWARN! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Community Hub to help agents make the most of their FOREWARN member benefit! 

The FOREWARN Community Hub includes:  

• How to use FOREWARN: A quick guide to using FOREWARN. 
• Activation instructions: Four easy steps to set up your account if you haven’t already. 
• Search tips and FAQs: How to get the most out of the app and get answers to common questions. 
• Training sessions: Sign up for live training or watch the demo video. 
• Videos: Watch the product video to see how FOREWARN can help protect you and your business or watch a testimonial video to see how it has helped others. 

PRIORITIZE SAFETY in your marketing and listings by stating that identification will be required for the showing and video surveillance will be used on site.

Learn more at www.NAR.realtor/safety

YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS!

Discover Member discounts and resources from NAR, CAR and SMDRA!. Time to maximize your strategic partnerships, and member-only discounts for members. Our mission is to ensure you have access to the best tools resources you need to achieve greater success.

NAR BENEFIT

REALTORS INSURANCE

REALTORS® Insurance Place is an exclusive insurance shopping site created just for NAR members. It provides plans for you and your family, including health coverage options, group dental, group vision, and group life insurance, plus a variety of wellness solutions including 24/7/365 telemedicine – all with exclusive benefits just for NAR members. Plans for all stages of life, including an offering that even extends to your pets.

CAR BENEFIT

DOMII

Domii offers a mobile residential real estate platform for agents to utilize as their preferred method of gaining listing prospects, provides an instant link to the national DNC database and a felony check on potential clients. Currently, the safety service is free to CAR members using the Promo code CAR5. domii® is FREE once you have watched the training video to learn how to use this incredible technology.

SMDRA BENEFIT

EVENT RENTALS

SMDRA is the perfect place for our members to gather, do business, and learn. Thanks to our expansive space and easily accessible location, it is the perfect place to host company meetings, social mixers, and events. We have multiple options to fit your needs based on size, number of attendees, and event type. SMDRA is a great place to host everything from business retreats, to celebrations, barbecues, and holiday parties!

2026 CORPORATE SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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