Local realtors recognized for Marshall Fire recovery efforts

Colorado Landmark Realtors, based in Boulder County, was recognized by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® for its Marshall Fire recovery efforts. President and CEO Paul Boomsma announced the "Leading RE Good Things" award April 15 based on the company's "incredible efforts" in assisting Boulder County residents affected by the Marshall Fire in January of this year.

This recognition was shared across 70 countries and over 150,000 real estate agents across the globe. In a press release, Boomsma said, "Just hours after the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history destroyed over 1,000 homes and displaced over 15,000 people, the Colorado Landmark, Realtors team got to work raising over $175,000 in under three days, negotiating over 1,000 hotel rooms for evacuated families, setting up an aid station in their Louisville office and assembling a free pop-up shop at their Niwot office providing over 400 community members with collected donations."

Colorado Landmark Realtors is co-owned by President Orly Ripmaster, a Niwot resident. Ripmaster, who has spent the last decade as a private equity executive in Denver, said she moved to Niwot during Covid to get out of the city, embrace the small-town lifestyle and raise her sons closer to family. That pull to be closer to family drove her to partner with her father, Joel Ripmaster, who has owned Landmark locally and independently for 45 years before partnering with his daughter.

January 1, 2022, only hours after the devastating fire that destroyed over 1,000 homes, was Orly Ripmaster's first day as the new co-owner. "Despite being new to the business, I'm not new to the community," she said. "This is and always will be my home. Cranking up our efforts and leading with care to support this incredible community was the clear and present priority and a welcoming I'll never forget."

In receiving the award, Ripmaster noted that the office's 40-plus agents provided over 600 volunteer hours in less than 30 days.

According to a press release, the award is given to highlight the "good things" the 550 member brokerages around the world are doing in their communities. Being selected is an honor that Ripmaster believes is shared with all the survivors and those impacted by the fire for their strength and resilience. "Colorado Landmark is proud and humbled to be a part of the recovery efforts and help rebuild this community," she said. "It's a tremendous honor for a local, independent firm to earn a global recognition, and this recognition is one we share with our entire community who have truly demonstrated the best of all Good Things."

In Niwot, the fundraising efforts for the Marshall Fire Fund continue in the Colorado Landmark Niwot office as local broker Deb Fowler, who also serves as vice-president of the Niwot Business Association, is leading the Small Town, Big Heart Wildfire Relief Fund campaign, with the goal to raise $100,000 from the Niwot community through a variety of community events and activities. At press time, $62,500 has been raised, with additional fundraisers planned for Around the World Day in Niwot on May 14.