Urban Land Conservancy – Denver, CO
Tool: Land Banking
Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) is a Denver-based nonprofit real estate organization founded in 2003 to combat rising real estate prices and displacement. ULC acquires land and buildings before they are purchased by for-profit buyers to secure and preserve real estate for public benefit, in many cases through community land trusts. ULC or trusted development partners then develop nonprofit facilities, affordable housing, educational facilities, and mixed-use developments.
For properties within its community land trust, ULC retains ownership of the land, while the building itself is owned by another mission-minded organization. Through both ground-up construction and renovation of existing properties, ULC aims to develop spaces that serve the community, including small businesses.
As of 2026, ULC has acquired/developed over 1,000,000 square feet of nonprofit commercial space. Currently ULC houses 50 nonprofit organizations, offering leases at 30% below market rate. Nonprofit lessees may use their space for commercial kitchens, retail pop-up markets, and other uses that can support small businesses.