Chris Achenbach
Principal, Licensed Architect and General Contractor
Chris Achenbach is the founder of Urban Roots Development, Inc., dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable, and profitable mixed-use development projects. As a licensed Architect and Class A General Contractor, Chris combines technical expertise with extensive experience in delivering some of the Denver region’s most acclaimed and environmentally conscious developments.
Before founding Urban Roots, Chris co-founded Zocalo Community Development, Inc., where he served as Principal for 12 years. During his tenure, he spearheaded the design, development, and construction of numerous landmark mixed-use and residential projects that helped shape Denver’s evolving neighborhoods. These projects not only redefined sustainability in large-scale institutional development but also achieved record-breaking financial success
Chris’s project experience includes Tempo Apartments, a 255 unit NGBS Silver 5-story wrap at Nine Mile Station in Aurora; Solera, downtown Denver’s first LEED Gold high-rise apartments; 2020 Lawrence, 231 units and LEED Gold in the ballpark neighborhood; Cadence, a pioneering 13 story LEED Gold apartment building in the heart of Denver Union Station; Coda Cherry Creek, 12 stories and 182 units of LEED Gold high-style living in Denver’s finest urban neighborhood, and The Grove Stapleton, 160 LEED Gold apartments for residents 55 and older
Professional Recognition
Awards and Commendations
Awards and commendations received include: Apartment Association of Metro Denver – 2015 Grand Tribute Award; Downtown Denver Partnership – 2013/2014 Project of the Year Award (Cadence); Lodo Limelight – 2014 New Business of the Year Award (Cadence); Denver Business Journal Powerbook Award – 2012 Residential Developer of the Year; Apartment Association of Denver – 2011 Tribute Award for use of Technology at Solera; University of Denver Burns School of Real Estate 2010 Project of the Year Award for Solera Apartments; Environmental Defense Fund Top Real Estate Innovation of 2009 for the Riverclay Solar Mortgage Program ; University of Denver Burns School of Real Estate 2008 Project of the year Award for Riverclay Condominiums; Denver Micro Business Development Corp – 2007 Business Leader of the Year; University of Colorado Research Competition 1st place for the design of An Affordable Alternative Materials House; and the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute Steve Dach Memorial Award Honorable Mention for the Design of An Affordable Masonry home.
Professional Roots
Education and Volunteer Work
Chris Achenbach earned a degree from the University of Vermont and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Colorado. An active leader within the Colorado Urban Land Institute (ULI), Chris has served as Chair, Vice Chair, and a member of the Executive Committee, as well as Co-Founder of the ULI Sustainable Communities Committee. His dedication to sustainable development extends to roles on the Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Sustainable Building Task Force and the Denver Mayor’s Development Advisory Committee.
Committed to advancing green-building knowledge, Chris volunteers as an instructor for the ULI Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI Program) and serves as a mentor for the ULI Partnership Forum program. He is also a frequent presenter at prominent conferences, including the Urban Land Institute Speaker Events Series, the Colorado Urban Green Conference, the Multi-Family World Conference, and the National Association of Homebuilders. Additionally, Chris has contributed as a guest instructor at regional universities.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is deeply involved in community service. As a volunteer with Project Worthmore, he mentors and supports recently resettled ESL immigrants in Colorado. Originally from the Green Mountains of Vermont, Chris now resides in Denver, Colorado with his family. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, sailing, traveling, and savoring good coffee
