Lea Rogers never expected an easy road in real estate, but then again, nothing in her life has ever been handed to her. A Denver native with deep roots in the city, she built her career from the ground up, proving time and again that hard work, resilience, and a little bit of defiance can lead to something extraordinary.

 

Born into humble beginnings, Lea was raised by a single mother who instilled in her an unshakable work ethic. “My mom is my hero,” she says. “She came from poverty and built herself into one of the top professionals in her industry. Watching her succeed, I learned that anything is possible with hard work and determination.”

 

After graduating high school in 1987, Lea attended Mesa State in Grand Junction before returning to Denver, where she began modeling and working in the food service industry. By 2001, she knew it was time for something more. She had made countless connections in Denver and assumed transitioning into real estate would be seamless. “I thought I knew everyone,” she laughs. “I figured real estate would be easy. I was wrong.” The industry tested her in ways she hadn't expected, but giving up was never an option.

 

Over the last 23 years, Lea has built a name for herself as one of Denver’s top REALTORS®, ranking in the top 5% at Coldwell Banker for 16 consecutive years. In 2023, she was named the #1 agent in Coldwell Banker’s Denver Central Office out of 133 agents, and in 2024, she remains in the top 2% company-wide.

 

Lea’s passion lies in working with clients who are putting everything they have into buying their first home—the ones who have been told it can’t be done. “I know what it feels like to have to fight for what you want. Helping people achieve homeownership when they never thought it was possible is the most rewarding part of my job.”

 

Her journey in real estate has included more than just sales—she has consulted on over 30 fix-and-flip properties and completed three of her own. She also spent time working in the appraisal industry, which gave her a strong understanding of property valuation and investment potential. But success didn’t come without struggles. “The hardest part was generating business in the tough years,” she admits. “Making ends meet when the market wasn’t in my favor was brutal. But I made it.”

 

For Lea, real estate has always been about more than just closing deals. It’s given her the freedom she craved—the ability to build a career without being tied to a 9-to-5 schedule and the flexibility to travel the world while still doing what she loves. “This business has allowed me to create a life on my terms,” she says. “That’s what I love most—the freedom and the ability to help people realize their dreams.”

 

Her loyalty to Coldwell Banker runs deep. After 23 years with the brokerage, she considers them family. “Coldwell Banker has been an incredible support system. I feel branded as a CB agent, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 

Outside of real estate, Lea’s world revolves around her family—both two-legged and four-legged. A single mom to three rescue dogs—Ziggy, Jane, and Trip—she also takes care of her 91-year-old father, who suffers from degenerative dementia. “I’m looking into getting involved with fundraising for dementia awareness,” she says. “It’s a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart, and it breaks my heart every day.”

 

She’s an avid yogi, a newfound golfer, and—surprisingly—a bowler with a natural talent. But her biggest passion outside of work? Music. “I’m obsessed with live music,” she says. “I spent most of my summer—and a small fortune—front row at classic rock concerts. Seeing these legends perform, maybe for the last time, was worth every penny. Right now, I can’t get enough of yacht rock. It’s on repeat.”

 

Lea’s philosophy on success is simple: happiness. “Success is waking up with a good vibe, making someone smile, and feeling content when you go to bed at night. It’s a choice, every single day.”

 

As for the advice she gives to new agents? “Never give up. This business can be brutal, but just keep swimming. And don’t let the bad apples push you out. A team leader told me 20 years ago that I should find another career. I think of him every time I make top producer.”

 

Looking ahead, Lea isn’t slowing down. She wants to continue making people smile—whether it’s a first-time homebuyer getting the keys to their dream home, a client landing the perfect investment property, or a friend singing along to yacht rock at a concert.

 

Because for Lea, that’s what life is all about—defying expectations, doing what you love, and never letting anyone tell you it can’t be done.