🏠 Homeowner Alert: Scams Are on the Rise — Here’s What to Watch For At Snow Capped Properties, we pride ourselves on protecting our homeowners and their investments. Unfortunately, scams targeting property owners are becoming more sophisticated and frequent — especially in smaller communities where trust and familiarity are the norm. Just this month, we encountered a new type of scam attempt that could have easily fooled even the most careful homeowner. 🚨 Real Example: The “Utility Shut-Off” Scam A neighbor recently received what looked like a gas shut-off notice — complete with official logos and dates — and passed it along to the actual homeowner. Because it came from a trusted neighbor, the message felt legitimate. The homeowner, naturally wanting to resolve the issue quickly, was ready to initiate payment through the link provided. Fortunately, our team was looped in just in time and spotted multiple red flags: - The sender’s email domain didn’t match the actual utility company. - The link redirected to an unofficial payment portal. - The notice referenced an incorrect account number. Thanks to quick communication, no money was lost — but it was a close call. 🧠 Common Homeowner Scam Examples - Fake Utility or Service Notices Scammers impersonate power, water, gas, or internet providers, claiming service will be disconnected unless immediate payment is made. - Property Tax or HOA Impersonation Fraudsters pose as county tax offices or HOA management, demanding “urgent” back payments or fees — often with convincing logos and letterheads. - Rental Listing Scams Scammers copy photos and details from legitimate listings (sometimes your own property) and repost them online with fake contact info, asking for deposits from unsuspecting renters. - Home Repair or Maintenance Cons Someone shows up offering immediate repair or maintenance services, often asking for large upfront payments or access to the property without verification. - Wire Transfer or Payment Diversion Schemes Common in real estate transactions — criminals intercept email threads between agents, property managers, or homeowners, and send “updated” wiring instructions. 🧩 How to Protect Yourself - Pause before paying: Always verify any payment request directly through a verified number or website. - Confirm sources: If a message comes through a neighbor, friend, or even Snow Capped, confirm it through official channels before acting. - Watch for urgency: Scammers often use high-pressure language (“immediate disconnection,” “final notice,” “act now”) to trigger quick responses. - Check the details: Look for misspellings, wrong addresses, and fake domains. Loop in your property manager: If something feels off, contact Snow Capped Properties first. We’re here to help verify any notices or requests related to your property. 🏔️ Our Commitment At Snow Capped Properties, we take scam prevention seriously. Our local presence means we’re often the first line of defense in catching these red flags before they cost our homeowners time or money. If you ever receive a suspicious notice, email, or call related to your property, please contact us directly before taking any action. 📞 Stay Safe, Stay Local

At the University of Colorado Boulder, mentorship has always been a cornerstone of growth — for students and alumni alike. For me, that journey began over two decades ago. I graduated from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business in 2002, majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS). While still in school, I purchased my first rental property as a junior and my second as a senior — experiences that shaped my lifelong passion for real estate and entrepreneurship. In 2012, I returned to campus in a new role — as a mentor in the Professional Mentorship Program (PMP). Since then, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many talented students who’ve gone on to do amazing things in their careers. One of those students was Garrison Gates, whom I was paired with in 2021, during his junior year. What began as a mentor-mentee connection soon evolved into something even more meaningful. After Garrison’s graduation in 2023, Snow Capped Properties — the company my wife and I own and operate in Grand County — was at a pivotal point. We were deciding whether to keep things small at around 35 managed properties (“doors”) or take the leap and grow. With Garrison’s passion, work ethic, and curiosity for real estate, we saw an incredible opportunity to expand together. He officially joined Snow Capped Properties, and with his help and our team’s dedication (couldn't have done all this without Chloe's help, too!), we’ve grown to manage over 100+ properties today — a milestone we’re proud of, and one that reflects both teamwork and mentorship in action. Thirteen years after joining the PMP program, I still mentor through CU. Most recently, I’ve been working with Andrew De Lisa (on the far left in our photo), who will graduate in May 2026. In a full-circle moment, Garrison now mentors his own mentee, Beshal Malla, both of whom share a deep interest in real estate and entrepreneurship. We’ve always appreciated the mentors, professors, and peers who offered us guidance when we were young and still finding our way. Now, standing on the other side, it feels truly rewarding to give back — helping shape the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and builders. The CU Boulder PMP program has been an incredible bridge between business education and real-world opportunity. It’s proof that mentorship doesn’t just build careers — it builds relationships, communities, and in our case, even businesses. 🔗 Learn more about CU’s Professional Mentorship Program here: CU Boulder PMP Program