2026 President, Sara Dieringer: Year in Review

The HBA Annual Meeting was held Thursday, October 29th at DCSD Legacy Campus. 2026 HBA Board President, Sara Dieringer, shared some thoughts about the state of the HBA and summarized key accomplishments in 2026.

"A year ago, many of us were optimistic about what lay ahead.

When I accepted the role of President, I talked about bringing our Strategic Plan to life, strengthening our advocacy, growing our membership, and investing in the future of our industry.

What none of us knew was just how challenging the road ahead would be.

Many of us entered 2026 believing conditions would begin to improve or at least hold steady. Instead, affordability pressures remained, regulatory challenges grew, costs stayed elevated, and uncertainty continued to impact our businesses and our customers.

It's been a difficult year, and for many in this room, an exhausting one.

At this point, I think most of us check interest rates more often than the weather. And in Colorado, that's saying something.

But when I look back on this year, I don't think first about the challenges.

I think about the people who showed up anyway.

The volunteers who gave their time.

The members who stayed engaged.

The leaders who stepped forward.

And an industry that continued to support one another when it mattered most.

That's what makes this association special.

Because at the end of the day, associations aren't buildings, budgets, or strategic plans. They're people.

And that starts with our incredible HBA staff: Ted, Connie, Morgan, Toby, Katie, DeAnn, Rich, and Leon.

Last year, I called you the backbone of this organization, and after serving as President, I can say that with even greater conviction.

No matter what challenges came our way, you found solutions. You kept our members informed, our events running, our advocacy efforts moving forward, and our organization focused on its mission.

Thank you for your professionalism, your dedication, and everything you do behind the scenes that most people never see.

I'd also like to thank our Council Chairs, Sterling Dyer, Evan Rumney, Dana Keller, Jessica Pappas, and Erin Hurley, along with our entire Board of Directors.

Leadership in this organization is a volunteer commitment, and I know firsthand how much time and energy it requires. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your willingness to step up.

Despite the challenges we faced, we continued to move our Strategic Plan forward.

We maintained a strong, engaged membership during one of the toughest housing markets in recent memory.

We delivered real advocacy results, including repealing fire sprinkler mandates, lowering impact fees, and promoting tiered water development fees, generating millions in savings for our members and helping reduce costs for future homebuyers.

We launched the first phase of the Let Builders Build campaign, helping tell our industry's story and educating the public about the barriers to creating more housing opportunities.

We launched a new ticketed consumer experience and website for the Parade of Homes, creating a new revenue stream and positioning the event for future growth.

And while many organizations struggled this year, our fundraising events continued to sell out, our members stayed engaged, and this association remained strong.

Those accomplishments matter.

But what I'm most proud of isn't any single initiative.

It's that we never stopped moving forward.

When it would have been easy to pull back, we invested.

When it would have been easy to focus only on our own businesses, we came together.

When it would have been easy to become discouraged, this membership stayed focused on the future.

Over the past year, I've seen competitors collaborate, volunteers raise their hands one more time, and leaders have difficult conversations because they care deeply about the future of housing in Colorado.

I've seen resilience, commitment, and an industry that refuses to quit.

Serving as President this year has given me an even deeper appreciation for this industry and for the people who make it stronger every day.

As I hand the gavel to Reggie Carveth, I do so with tremendous confidence.

Reggie, I know your passion for this industry and your commitment to this association. The HBA is in great hands, and I know you'll bring both strong leadership and enough humor to keep all of us on our toes.

The challenges facing housing aren't going away anytime soon.

But if this year proved anything, it's that neither is the determination of the people in this room.

We'll continue to advocate.

We'll continue to collaborate.

And we'll continue working toward a future where more individuals and families can achieve the dream of homeownership.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President. It has truly been an honor."