Here's your Smart Wealth Brief – Denver Edition for this week, tailored for professionals in the Mile High City:

Helping Denverites thrive with sharp insights, smarter strategies, and approachable wealth wisdom.

The S&P 500 posted a 0.9% gain last week as inflation data came in cooler than expected.

Bond yields dipped slightly, with the 10-year Treasury settling around 4.15%.

This move has sparked renewed interest in balanced portfolios and dividend-paying equities.

Market & Money Briefing Stocks have been range-bound in July as investors await clearer Fed signals.

Treasury yields are hovering around 4.2% for 10-year notes. High-yield savings rates remain attractive near 4.6% APY.

Note: The IRS just issued fresh guidance on Roth 401(k) rollovers. Worth asking your advisor about for late-year planning.

Denver’s real estate market is seeing a tempering in price growth after years of rapid ascent.

The median home price is hovering near $600,000, with inventory ticking up in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Highland.

Higher mortgage rates (~6.85%) are slowing bidding wars, but cash offers are still king in hot pockets.

Translation: Make sure your cash flow model includes 20%+ reserves and a solid short-term rental occupancy estimate (50-60% average in the region)

Tip: Sellers are more open to inspection credits and rate buy-downs—don’t hesitate to negotiate.

Data Pulse: Where Denver’s Affluent Are Putting Their Dollars

• Clean energy ETFs and infrastructure funds are popular among younger HNWIs

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• Interest in short-duration Treasury ETFs has surged due to higher yields

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• Metro Denver investors are exploring real estate syndicates as passive income tools

Case Study: “The Deferred Bonus Play”

Carlos, a senior architect in LoDo, had a $30k year-end bonus coming.

Instead of taking it in full (and getting hit hard on taxes), he:

Deferred $15k to next year to smooth income

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• Allocated $10k into a solo 401(k)
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• Used $5k for a charitable gift via a Donor-Advised Fund
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Result: Smarter tax profile, long-term investing, and meaningful impact—all with advisor support.

Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains tax is the levy you pay on profits from selling assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate.

In 2025, the federal rate ranges from 0% to 20%, depending on your income and how long you held the asset.

• Short-term (held <1 year): Taxed as ordinary income

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• Long-term (held >1 year): Lower, favorable rates

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Tip: If you're near a tax bracket threshold, timing a sale for next year could cut your bill. Always consult a tax advisor for personalized guidance.

ADUs and Passive Income Potential

With Denver’s zoning expansion on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), more homeowners can now build rentable backyard cottages or basement apartments especially in neighborhoods like Sloan’s Lake, Barnum, and Montbello.

Pros:

• Generate rental income

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• Boost property value

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• Provide housing for aging parents or adult children

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Cons:

• Requires upfront construction costs (~$100K–$200K)

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• City permits and regulations vary

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• Tenant management and tax complexity

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If you’re considering an ADU, speak with both a financial planner and a real estate consultant.

 It can be a smart wealth-building move—but only with clear goals and numbers.

This Week: “How Greg’s Side Hustle Funded His Ski Pass and Then Some”

Greg, a 38-year-old IT project manager in Aurora, loved hitting the slopes but balked at the $800+ price tag of an Epic Pass.

 Instead of dipping into savings, he leaned into a skill he’d long ignored—bike repair.

Over a single fall season, he:

• Set up a mobile repair station outside Denver’s Cherry Creek Trail

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• Fixed 2–3 bikes per weekend at $40 a pop

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• Posted his availability on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace

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By November, Greg had earned $1,150—enough for the Epic Pass, ski gear upgrades, and a winter trip to Breckenridge.

🧠 Lesson:
Your hobbies might just be hidden income streams. Whether it’s bike tools, bread-baking, or tutoring teens, Denver’s active, creative culture is ideal for turning passions into purposeful profit.

RTD MyRide Card: Save on transit with reloadable discounts commutes cost less than half of parking downtown.

Denver Public Library of Things: Borrow power tools, board games, or GoPros instead of buying.

PeakView Energy Rebates: Denverites can save up to $1,200 on home efficiency upgrades.

Switch & Save: Consider Xfinity Mobile if you're already a customer many cut bills by 40%+.

The RiNo Renaissance

RiNo (River North Art District) isn’t just for breweries anymore high-income earners are investing in mixed-use real estate as zoning shifts enable more multi-family projects.

Meanwhile, the city’s new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules could unlock passive income opportunities for homeowners in areas like Sunnyside and West Colfax.

Bonus Tip

As of 2025, Colorado businesses with five or more employees must offer access to a retirement savings plan or enroll in the Colorado SecureSavings program.

Employers: Check your obligations.

Employees: You’ll be auto-enrolled at 5%, but can opt out or adjust.

Great for those without a 401(k)—but talk to a planner to coordinate with other savings.

July 25 – Mile High Money Mixer (LoDo)
Network with finance professionals, tech founders, and investors.

Aug 3 – Women & Wealth Brunch (Cherry Creek)
Bringing together female leaders and advisors to discuss investment strategies.

Aug 14 – Startup Investment Panel (RiNo Arts District)
Insights from VCs and angel investors on Denver’s startup boom.

Summit Wealth Denver

Fiduciary advisors helping locals navigate tax-smart investing, retirement readiness, and generational planning. www.SummitWealthDenver.com | ☎️ 720-555-9023

Denver’s landscape is evolving—but smart money habits never go out of style.

Whether you’re building wealth, planning a future, or just getting organized, Smart Wealth Brief is here every week to guide and inspire.

Forward to a friend, or reply with your questions for next Friday’s edition.