history
Since it was established in 1993, C&A Companies has successfully developed more than 2,000 residential units, ranging from multi-family communities to semi-custom and fine custom homes. C&A has also developed over 5,000 acres into 750 single-family lots, while preserving over 2,000 acres as open space, dedicated parks and conservation easements. Based on completed and current projects, C&A will have entitled, developed and constructed over two million square feet of commercial and mixed-use properties in the Front Range. Additionally, the firm has assembled and developed approximately 60,000 acres of farmland, 30,000 acres of which are irrigated. As a result, C&A and its stakeholders currently own and control one of the largest privately owned water holdings in the West. C&A’s portfolio includes more than 30,000 consumptive use acre-feet per year of water rights.
The principals of C&A have executed over $950 million in transactions, including debt, equity, development, construction and municipal bond issues. They also sit on the boards of various metropolitan districts and are actively involved in several professional and trade organizations.
team
C&A’s reputation as a nimble and diverse real estate investor is powered by more than a century of combined experience, which our leadership team brings to every transaction. In addition to superior technical expertise, the C&A team’s collective wisdom adds an invaluable dimension in evaluating opportunities and is an essential element in fueling the firm’s growth.
Karl Nyquist | Principal
Mr. Nyquist is a Principal and co-founder of C&A Companies. Since co-founding the company, he has been involved in every aspect of each projects life cycle for the multitude of projects in which C&A has been, or currently is, involved. Karl takes pride in developing relationships with all stakeholders involved in C&A’s projects that stand the test of time. Accordingly, he is actively involved in developing and implementing each projects unique strategy with the aim of delivering above average results for all stakeholders, whether they are directly or indirectly involved in a particular project.
Prior to co-founding C&A, Karl served as President of Angler Real Estate for four years. He was also a real estate investment banker with Northland Financial Company (now Northmarq Capital). Karl holds a Master of Real Estate and Construction Management degree (MRECM) from the University of Denver and a BS in Business Administration, Finance and Marketing from the University of Northern Colorado. Karl earned a Structural Estimating Certificate from Vale International. He is a licensed real estate broker and General Contractor in Colorado.
David Pretzler | Principal
Mr. Pretzler is a Principal and co-founder of C&A Companies. Like Mr. Nyquist, since co-founding the company, he has been involved in every aspect of each projects life cycle for the multitude of projects in which C&A has been, or currently is, involved. He is integrally involved in the analysis and selection of new business opportunities, strategic business analysis, financial planning and charting the firm’s direction and goals.
Prior to co-founding C&A, David previously served as President of Centaur Development Company. He holds a Master of Real Estate and Construction Management degree (MRECM) from the University of Denver and a BS in Political Science from Colorado College. His academic credentials also include International Relations studies at The London School of Economics. David is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado.
Todd Lambert | Principal
Mr. Lambert is a Principal of C&A Companies. He joined the firm in late 2015 as an Executive Vice President, becoming a full partner in 2018. He splits his time equally between oversight of company operations, new business development, and executing on the strategic business plans for C&A’s multitude of projects.
Prior to joining C&A, Todd held various executive positions at one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate development companies. Todd holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from Washington University in St. Louis with an emphasis in Corporate Finance as well as a BS/BA in Accounting from the University of Utah. Todd is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (inactive) and a licensed real estate broker in Colorado.
Kyle Axner | Vice President
Mr. Axner joined C&A Companies in 2024 as Vice President.
Kyle previously worked as VP of Asset Management at Birge & Held, overseeing a team of asset managers and a portfolio of approximately 100 multifamily properties. Additional prior experience includes five years in transactions at AIMCO REIT, completing over $1.2bn in acquisitions, as well as finance leadership roles at an apartment syndicate and an outdoor recreation company. Kyle holds a Master’s in Real Estate Finance from the University of Cambridge and a BS/BA in Finance and Real Estate from Colorado State University.
Brad Johnson | Financial Analyst
Mr. Johnson joined the firm in 2023 as a financial analyst. In his role, Brad aids in the financial analysis and underwriting of the company’s diversified portfolio of investments as well as keeping detailed records and accounting figures for these projects.
Brad previously worked as a commodity trader and cattle accountant where he helped oversee the financial risk and operational management of various agricultural enterprises. He graduated with honors while earning his BS in Agriculture and Economics from Colorado State University and then earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. He is also a licensed real estate broker in Colorado.
Justine Hearn | Office Manager & Project Administration Manager
Ms. Hearn is the Office Manager and Project Administration Manager at C&A Companies. Justine is responsible for overseeing general office operation, organizing and coordinating office procedures, and ensuring overall organizational effectiveness and efficiency. She provides administrative and logistical support in every aspect of project management, ensuring that all company employees have both the assistance and the resources that they need to meet company goals and objectives.
Ms. Hearn holds an Associate Degree in general studies, with an emphasis in Criminal Justice as well as a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Colorado at Denver. In addition, she has more than 25 years of experience in complex commercial and real estate transactions as well as engaging in and managing more than 50 trials during her tenure.
Joan Swenson | Controller
Mrs. Swenson joined the C&A team in 2018 as the company’s Controller. In this role she is responsible for managing the accounting department through all phases of accounting including: preparation and review of timely and accurate financial statements, journal entries, review and reconciliation of account balances, month and year-end close procedures, preparation of annual budgets, and preparation and analysis of a variety of reports for strategic decision making. She also is responsible for all aspects of the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
Joan brings a depth of operational accounting experience that is rarely found and is unique even among the upper tier of her peer group. Joan has worked for a variety of employers and across a wide spectrum of industries throughout her career, affording her the chance to see best practices implemented in a variety of settings. Joan holds a Master of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, both from Regis University.