Remembering Walter A. “Buz” Koelbel Jr.
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of an industry giant.
Buz Koelbel meant so much not only to our industry but to this state’s business community. He truly is an industry icon. Always kind to everyone, his intellect, determination and grace were unparalleled. Buz mentored not only his sons, who run Koelbel and Company today, but many men and women who today lead our industry throughout Colorado.
We are going to miss him very much, and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for all he has contributed and accomplished.
Buz (also known as Buzzy in his early years) was the beloved patriarch of the extensive Koelbel family and longtime president of Koelbel and Company, a family-owned real estate development business with over 70 years of history in Colorado. He was a devoted philanthropist and his half century of contributions – both professionally and philanthropically – will have a lasting impact on the thousands of people he touched throughout his extraordinary life.
A third generation Coloradoan, Buz graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and the University of Colorado Boulder. As a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he established strong bonds with his “brothers” and developed a lifelong love for CU Boulder. After graduating in 1974, Buz worked in property management in San Francisco. He returned to his beloved Colorado in 1976 and joined the real estate development company started by his father in 1952. In 1985, Buz was named president of Koelbel and Company and oversaw its growth for nearly 40 years, maintaining and amplifying its stature as one of the most prominent family-owned real estate companies in Colorado.
Under his leadership, the company established a strong vision and mission that focused on “Enriching lives through legacy communities” and the strong belief that “patience is genius.” Through the decades, the family-owned business experienced dramatic market fluctuations, yet always prevailed as an industry leader and a champion for the community. Buz relied on the simple fact that under all, lies the land and we must protect it and use it wisely. This belief has always ensured that each Koelbel and Company community is built to respect the land and use the natural beauty of lakes, nature preserves, or views as amenities. Buz once said, “We know we are custodians of the land for but a brief time, but our legacy lives on for generations to come. The rewards come from creating communities for people to live, work, shop, and play. Giving back to these communities completes the full circle of development.”
The HBA team send our deepest sympathy to the Koelbel family and the larger professional family at Koelbel and Company.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Junior Achievement or the High Line Canal Conservancy.
https://www.jarockymountain.org/donate/
https://highlinecanal.org/donate/
A Memorial Service will take place on October 1st at Bethany Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. The memorial will be live streamed. A reception will follow at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Continue reading about Buz's successful and fulfilling life.