Connect. Learn. Build.
Denver | Friday, June 12th, 2026
The ADU Academy is approved for 7 Continuing Education Units for AIA LU|HSW; 2 CO Real Estate CEs.
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The ADU Academy is approved for 7 Continuing Education Units for AIA LU|HSW; 2 CO Real Estate CEs. 〰️
What is the ADU Academy?
The ADU Academy is a one-day intensive for professionals seeking in-depth, cutting edge education on the ADU market taught by experienced industry practitioners.
Join us for the most comprehensive information available in the country and connect with a national network of ADU professionals.
Attendees are eligible to earn the nationally-recognized ADU Specialist designation.
ADU Specialist Designation
Attend the event and become eligible to earn the ‘ADU Specialist' designation in order to join the professional network over 1,000 ADU Specialists across 21 states.
The designation will lend valuable credibility to your business so you can tap into this growing market with the backing of an organization that has trained and credentialed thousands of professionals across the country.
Learn more about the designation
Why Should You Attend?
The ADU Academy is a one-day conference focused on the emerging ADU industry and customized for architects, designers, builders, lenders, real estate agents, appraisers, municipal leaders, and developers.
Attending the ADU Academy will prepare you to:
Excel in the rapidly changing and growing ADU market
Receive in-depth education about ADU issues that will set you apart as an ADU practitioner and professional
Expand your ADU network, client base and business opportunities
Gain an edge on the competition by gaining the nationally recognized ’ADU Specialist’ Designation from Earth Advantage
Why Colorado?
In 2024, Colorado, Arizona, Montana, Washington and Massachusetts all adopted strong statewide legislation allowing ADUs and removing barriers to permitting and building in urban areas where housing is needed most.
Colorado’s House Bill 24-1152 has legalized Accessory Dwelling Units in many areas across Colorado. With this new legislation in place, homeowners and local leaders are looking to professionals for guidance on the development process and the vast opportunities that come with ADUs.
The ADU Academy strives to the premier educational event for professionals and practitioners at all levels of ADU development from Policy Makers to Planners to Architects, Builders, Lenders, and Real Estate professionals. We understand that ADU development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Our goal to educate and inspire you to attend the ADU Academy to CONNECT. LEARN. BUILD. in markets where ADUs are newly allowed, helping you become your client’s and community’s ADU resource!
Join us and become your inspired local leader in all things ADU! This iteration of ADU Academy will be 3 days long, and include a workshop led by Incremental Development Alliance and possibly a tour of modular ADUs, we’ll update details as they are solidified.
If you are already an ADU professional, or looking to deepen your knowledge of design to valuation of ADUs, join us! Attendees will be learning directly from the pioneers and networking with and bleeding-edge ADU enterpreneurs.
Come get inspired at the ADU Academy.
ADU Academy | Denver
Companion Events by
Incremental Development Alliance
Introduction to Incrementalism
Are you an advocate or local leader looking to encourage better buildings in your community? Do you want to learn more about how you can become a small real estate developer for a project in your neighborhood or even in your own backyard?
Join us for a free lecture by IncDev Faculty Member Ivy Vann to learn how locals are participating in shaping their neighborhoods and how you can too. Doors open at 5:30pm. The lecture will begin promptly at 6:00pm.
About the Speaker
Ivy Vann is a town planner and Form-Based Code Institute certified professional dedicated to helping communities create regulations that enable beloved, financially successful places. She specializes in public engagement, zoning reform, and incremental development strategies that empower local investment.
IncDev in Denver note: We're making it a weekend with this kickoff Introduction to Incrementalism lecture on the night before the ADU Academy and a tour of ADUs on Saturday morning. IncDev has made it easy to register for the lecture and the tour in one quick transaction, click below to register.
ADU Walking Tour of the Baker Neighborhood
Explore Denver's ADU story on foot in the historic Baker neighborhood. Join guide Ozi Friedrich, Architect-Principal of Radix Design, for a walking tour of a variety of accessory dwelling units — from alley cottages rooted in the neighborhood's boarding house era to modern builds made possible after Denver re-legalized ADUs in 2016. Meet the locals behind some of the builds, peek inside, and end at a local brewery. Note: We recommend biking, scootering or ridesharing to the venue. Parking is limited.
Neighborhood Guide:
Ozi Friedrich (they/them) is the founder and architect-principal of Radix Design, LLC, a small firm based in a historic Denver neighborhood. Ozi designed their first ADU in 2006 and made ADUs a focus of their practice after founding Radix in 2016. Their work focuses on contextually sensitive, compatible ADU designs that are great to live in despite zoning, landmark, or other restrictions. Their work includes the custom design of at least 20 ADUs, including examples of attached ADUs, basement ADUs, and a garage conversion. They are also architect of record for the West Denver Renaissance Collective pre-designed ADU program, and have brought 16 designated affordable ADUs through Denver permitting as part of the program.
Since founding Radix, Ozi has advocated for improvements in ADU zoning, design guidelines, and building codes. Their career has spanned from a time when ADU construction was nearly impossible to the current moment where statewide legislation promises to make ADUs a key strategy in resolving Colorado's housing crisis.
“The ADU Academy was especially valuable to me for two reasons. First it helped lay out the broad scope of ADU approaches across the country and then focused on my geographic area. Second, it helped me understand all the other components that go into this ADU movement in my area including advocacy, collaboration, and unique strategies that navigate the complex zoning regulations.”
ADU Academy event workshops are designed to provide detailed and expert-level insights about ADU development from top industry practitioners who have first-hand experience in this growing sector within leading US markets for ADUs.
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Plenary - Welcome Session
Morning Sessions
Real Estate Workshop
ADU Consultation
Development models
Market Forces
Investment Scenarios
Integrating ADUs into your business
Design Workshop
Site Design
ADU Design
ADU Structural Types
Utilities
Client Services
Catered Lunch
Afternoon Sessions
Finance Workshop
Financing Options
Lending Concepts & Challenges
Innovations in ADU Financing & Development
Appraisal Theory
What makes ADU appraisals different and challenging
Techniques to valuing homes with ADUs
Build Workshop
Working on site with homeowners
Design/build process
Setting expectations
Specializations: Garage conversions, basement conversions, internal ADUs
Potential Shared assets
Utilities
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Breakout Groups
Plenary
Exam
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Post event gathering and networking
Instructors | Denver 2026
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Kol Peterson
DIRECTOR
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Sarah Senderhauf
REAL ESTATE
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Ozi Freiderich
DESIGN
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Charles Edington
FINANCE
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David Schultz
BUILD
History of the ADU Academy
The ADU Academy began in Portland, Oregon in June, 2019 as the ADU movement began its exponential growth curve in major cities along the West Coast. We’ve offered the Academy regularly in emerging ADU markets, namely:
Portland, OR- June and November 2019, June 2022
San Diego, CA- March 2023, March 2025
Berkeley, CA- October 2023
Los Angeles, CA - February 2024, April 2026
Seattle, WA - October 2024
Denver, CO - June 2025, June 2026
Testimonials from ADU Academy attendees
The ADU Academy is Produced by:
Sponsored by:
And promoted by:
