Coleen Sanders
Where Style Meets Substance

When Coleen Sanders moved to Denver in 2011, she had a baby in her arms, a successful marketing career behind her, and no idea what would come next. What she did have was vision—and a work ethic rooted in family, legacy, and the belief that reinvention is always possible.
Today, Coleen is a force in Denver real estate. A perennial DMAR Platinum Excellence Award winner and RealTrends Top 1.5% in the U.S. honoree, she has closed over $415 million in career volume and continues to raise the bar. But what stands out isn’t just the numbers—it’s how she got there.
“I was starting over in a new city,” Coleen says. “I didn’t have a network here, but I knew if I stayed consistent, led with value, and stayed connected to what I love, it would come together.”
Coleen’s path to real estate was anything but conventional. Raised in Michigan, she grew up surrounded by the business—her great-grandfather founded a brokerage in the Detroit metro area, and multiple generations followed. But Coleen had a creative streak and a curiosity that led her elsewhere: first to Arizona State University, then to the heart of New York’s fashion and media world.
At Condé Nast, she climbed the ranks to become a Corporate Special Projects Director at Condé Nast (Publisher of Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, and Allure) where she crafted campaigns for iconic luxury brands like LVMH, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lexus. “It was a masterclass in branding, storytelling, and emotional connection,” she says. “And those lessons are at the core of how I approach real estate today.”
When she and her husband, Zack, decided to leave New York post-2008 financial crisis, Denver wasn’t an obvious choice—at least for her. “Zack is from here. For me, it was brand new. But there was something about it that felt right,” she says. They moved with their daughter, and within months, Coleen was licensed and diving headfirst into the world she’d grown up around—but on her own terms.
She approached the business like she had marketing: with creativity, strategic vision, and a focus on human connection. Today, her brand reflects a blend of elevated service, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for storytelling. It’s no surprise she was tapped to host American Dream TV, where she now highlights inspiring people, places, and real estate across Denver and Colorado. Her latest episodes are with Bobby Stuckey, Halfdays founders Arianna Ferwerda and Kiley McKinnon, and Young Guns of The Coors Western Art.
“I love being a connector,” Coleen says. “Especially as a transplant myself, I know how important it is to find your place in a new city. That’s what I try to give my clients—not just a house, but a real sense of home and community.”
That mindset has built more than a strong referral base—it’s created lifelong friendships. Clients lean on her not just for market expertise, but for local insights on everything from interior designers to hidden gems across Denver.
This year, Coleen made a bold move to Compass after almost 14 years at her previous firm. The transition has energized her, giving her access to cutting-edge tools and a global network that elevates what she can offer. “Compass has given me back valuable time,” she says. “The technology and marketing is seamless and modern, and the luxury division has endless opportunities. I’m excited about what’s ahead.”
That forward momentum also shows up in her personal life. Coleen and Zack—who runs a family-owned commercial furnishings company, Merchants & Co.—live in Cherry Hills Village with their two children, Mila (14) and Desmond (11), and their rescue dog, Coco. As a family, they love to travel, ski, play tennis, and embrace the “Mahjong Mom” movement, which Coleen proudly reps. “It’s a game that pulls you out of your phone and head, and into the moment,” she says. “And I love watching how people’s brains work—I’m always learning.”
Coleen’s interests are as dynamic as her background. She’s passionate about conservation, giving back through organizations like One Tree Planted and the Denver Botanic Gardens. She skis, hikes, plays paddle and tennis, and sees live music whenever she can—her playlists range from Radiohead to Sturgill Simpson.
When asked how she defines success, Coleen doesn’t hesitate. “It’s living in alignment with your values and vision. It’s showing up, being present, and creating shared moments—whether in a transaction or a meaningful conversation.”
Her advice to up-and-coming agents is simple: be authentic. “Connect with people in the spaces you genuinely love. Ask questions. Show up consistently. If you do that, your business will follow.”
Coleen hopes to be remembered as someone who made others feel seen and heard. “Especially my kids—I hope they remember that I was there, that I carved out time, and that we created memories that mattered,” she says.
In an industry that often prizes speed and surface, Coleen Sanders is proof that depth, care, and creativity never go out of style.