Who represents Denver in Washington can affect more than national politics. Federal decisions touch housing, development costs, tariffs, infrastructure funding, healthcare, and the environment in which local businesses operate. For commercial real estate owners and business leaders, understanding those connections matters.
In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich and Dr. Shimon Blau, an unaffiliated candidate for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, discuss the issues he believes are affecting Denver’s businesses, property owners, and residents. Blau qualified for the 2026 general-election ballot by petition after collecting 2,212 signatures, 1,918 of which were certified as valid.
Drawing on his experience as a physician, small-business owner, and real estate owner, Blau explains his views on housing affordability, development and permitting costs, tariffs, federal funding, healthcare, and support for small businesses. The conversation also explores what a member of Congress actually does for a district and how federal policy can intersect with Denver’s local economy and commercial real estate market.
Key Topics Discussed
- What a member of Congress does for constituents and local communities
- Dr. Blau’s experience as a physician, small-business owner, and real estate owner
- How federal policy can affect Denver businesses and commercial real estate
- Housing affordability and the challenges of increasing housing supply
- Development and permitting costs in Denver
- Dr. Blau’s views on tariffs and their potential effects on construction and business costs
- The role of federal funding in infrastructure and local projects
- How regulations and operating expenses can affect small businesses
- Dr. Blau’s views on federal and local approaches to housing development
- Healthcare costs and the changes he says he would pursue as a physician in Congress
- Why Blau decided to run as an unaffiliated candidate in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District
- The priorities he says he would bring to Congress if elected
About the Guest
Dr. Shimon Blau is a Denver physician, small-business owner, real estate owner, and unaffiliated candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. He qualified for the November 2026 ballot by petition. Colorado Politics
Blau has practiced medicine for more than two decades and specializes in interventional spine and pain management. He has also described managing his family’s real estate business and owning a medical practice. His stated campaign priorities include affordability, healthcare, small business, and reducing political polarization.
About the Host
Aviva Sonenreich is the Managing Broker and Owner of the Warehouse Hotline, a Denver commercial real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in industrial properties. She leads the firm’s brokerage operations, negotiates industrial sales and leasing transactions, advises clients on acquisition and disposition strategies, and oversees the company’s marketing and business development efforts. Through Commercial Real Estate Secrets, she interviews leading investors, brokers, developers, and industry experts to provide actionable insights on commercial real estate investing, brokerage, leasing, development, and market trends.
Navigating Denver Industrial Real Estate?
Policy may shape the broader business environment, but every industrial real estate decision ultimately comes down to the property, the market, and the terms of the deal.
The Warehouse Hotline helps businesses, investors, and property owners buy, sell, and lease industrial real estate throughout the Denver metro area. Whether you are searching for warehouse space, evaluating an acquisition, leasing your property, or preparing to sell, our team can help you navigate the Denver industrial market.
