L
eaders of REcolorado, the nation's 16th-largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS), envision a future where broker-centricity is paramount and more MLSs are privately owned. "We've now opened the door," says Joseph Burks, president of Equity Title of Colorado and major shareholder with CTM eContract software.

    Burks' acquisition of REcolorado this summer was a long-held dream come true. He aimed to serve every real estate broker in the Denver metro area from the beginning of his career. The sale unfolded dramatically after an REcolorado leader revealed that the Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR) and South Metro Denver Realtor Association (SMDRA) planned to sell the MLS to a private entity rather than allow it to become self-owned.

    The change in ownership raised concerns among some industry professionals, who worried about a prominent MLS being sold to someone outside the Realtor/broker space. A global software company even submitted a late-breaking interest in buying REcolorado before the deal was finalized with Burks' company, MAZL LLC.

    Burks and his team have big plans for REcolorado. Their intention is to ensure the MLS serves its subscribers at the highest level, focusing on sustainable growth, enhanced service, and building a stronger MLS for the entire real estate community. To achieve this, they've appointed Dana Bennett as president and CEO. Bennett's immediate focus is identifying products and initiatives that truly serve brokers, simplify workflows, and eliminate friction.

    Bennett brings a unique perspective to her role, having walked in the shoes of agents and brokers and serving in executive roles at REcolorado for over 10 years. She understands the immense responsibility MLSs carry to uphold trust, deliver value, and foster collaboration in the real estate ecosystem.

    Looking ahead to 2025, Bennett and Burks are committed to delivering a higher level of service and value by refining their product offerings. They recognize that some existing agreements don't serve the best interests of the broker community and plan to focus on universal solutions that simplify processes, enhance efficiency, and improve engagement with brokers. The ultimate goal is to make REcolorado truly broker-centric, aligning every initiative with customers' needs and strengthening their day-to-day experiences.

    Burks and Bennett expect more MLSs will shift to private ownership as the industry evolves. "The MLS industry is at an inflection point," says Bennett. "We've now opened the door to private ownership, which will accelerate the pace of change." Burks adds that he sees a future where MLSs are continuously evolving to stay ahead of the industry's rapid transformation, creating systems and frameworks that keep brokers, consumers, and the broader ecosystem connected and thriving.