Top Financial Advisors in Colorado

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Mercer Global Advisors takes the first spot on our list of top Colorado financial advisors. It's a fee-based firm headquartered in Denver, but it has offices throughout the U.S. In fact, you'll find branch locations in New Mexico, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Hawaii, California, Wisconsin, New York and more.

The firm's full team of advisors includes more than 100 certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified public accountants (CPAs). The team works with both individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses. The firm generally requires accounts to have a minimum of $500,000 in assets.

As a fee-based firm, some advisors at Mercer have the ability to sell securities for a commission. This creates a potential conflict of interest, which is mitigated by the firm's fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests at all times.

Mercer Global Advisors Background

Mercer Global Advisors was opened back in 1985. Initially, the firm's founder, Kendrick Mercer, started a law practice focused on estate planning. But after seeing an unmet need, he decided to launch an investment advisory firm with the mission of helping its clients achieve "economic freedom."

The firm offers its clients comprehensive investment management, financial planning, family office services, tax planning, estate planning and retirement plan design and administration.

Mercer Global Advisors Investment Strategy

Mercer Global Advisors' investment strategies include:

• Strategically weighted investments
• Broad asset class and multi-factor diversification
• Attention to cost
• Separate account managers and institutional funds
• Systematic rebalancing
• Tax and distribution management

Beyond those basic tenets, the firm offers an array of customized strategies designed to meet varying risk tolerance levels, time horizons and investment objectives. These include total return strategies, defensive strategies and income strategies.

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Wealthgate Family Office is an extremely exclusive financial advisor firm. In fact, the firm's minimum investment requirement is quite high for most at $10 million. The firm surprisingly works with more non-high-net-worth individuals than those with a high net worth, though the vast majority of the firm's assets under management come from the latter.

This is a fee-only firm. That means all of the firm's compensation comes from client-paid fees and not from third-party sales commissions.

Wealthgate Family Office Background

Wealthgate Family Office was founded very recently in 2020. The firm's founder and CEO, Alexander Paul, principally owns the firm.

Investment management services are available at Wealthgate, as are an extensive set of financial planning services. The firm divides these services between family and legacy planning, business consulting, risk management, administrative support and lifestyle management.

Wealthgate Family Office Investment Strategy

At the dawn of your client-advisor relationship, Wealthgate Family Office will work with you to develop an investment policy statement (IPS). This document will be the basis for your entire investment portfolio plans, as it will detail your risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and short- and long-term goals. Through these insights, an asset allocation will be built for you. As your portfolio begins earning returns, the firm will send you reports on how things are going and what, if anything, your advisor plans to change about your portfolio.

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Johnson Financial Group is a family office and wealth management firm serving mostly high-net-worth individuals. The rest of its client base is made up of non-high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations. The firm requires each new client to have at least $30 million in investable assets, though this minimum can be waived at the firm's discretion.

As a fee-only operation, all of Johnson Financial Group's compensation comes from client-paid fees. A fee-based firm, on the other hand, can receive commissions from sources like insurance and securities sales.

Johnson Financial Group Background

Johnson Financial Group was founded in 2002. Brandon C. Johnson is the principal owner of the firm. Johnson is also the firm's president and CEO.

This firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, pensions consulting, advisor selection and family office services. The firm’s family office services include bookkeeping, expense management, bill-pay, private foundation administration and advisor coordination. The family office services are separate from, and in addition to, the firm’s main advisory services.

Johnson Financial Group Investment Strategy 

Johnson Financial Group says it applies a total return approach to portfolio management and that its investment strategies focus on building globally diversified portfolios that are tax- and cost-efficient. 

Investments the firm generally utilizes include domestic and foreign equities, fixed-income securities, CDs, options, mutual funds, separately managed accounts, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), private placements and alternative investments.

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IWP Wealth Management is a fee-only financial advisor firm based in Denver. It actually ranks on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Denver as well. The firm's team includes several certified financial planners (CFPs).

IWP manages funds for high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as some pooled investment vehicles. However, the firm claims to have services available for trusts, estates, retirement plans, pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. IWP does not require a minimum account size.

This firm utilizes a “family office” structure, meaning that it focuses on the complete financial needs of a particular family and their associated professionals, trusts or holding companies. According to the firm, it applies this holistic approach on a case-by-case basis, allowing clients to customize what they want.

IWP Wealth Management Background

Founded in 2004, IWP Wealth Management is one of the more recently formed firms on this list. President Charlie Willhoit created the firm and remains one of its owners. Willhoit has a background in financial research and previously spent more than eight years at J.P. Morgan. Other owners of IWP include Tamara Ward, Kevin McCabe, Stephanie Bowers, Christopher Hunter, Darryl LaRue, Jaye Everland, Ken O'Brien and Paul Custer.

This firm has some of the most extensive financial advisory services on this list. These consist of daily asset management (like insurance and tax reviews), investment planning, wealth creation strategies, paperwork reviews, net worth reporting, budget planning and accounting. In addition, you'll also find stock, bond, cash and real estate investment management, customized portfolio creation, business consulting, tax planning, long-term care planning and estate planning.

IWP Wealth Management Investing Strategy

IWP primarily invests its clients’ assets in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, fixed-income securities, mutual funds and private investments. These investments are diversified according to the client’s specific risk tolerance. The firm also factors a client’s time horizon, future potential inheritance and liquidity needs into its investment decisions.

This firm believes that the more hands-on an advisor is, the better he or she will be able to aid the client. Aside from traditional investment management, IWP also provides bill pay, document storage, tax coordination and constant account reporting as necessary.

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SRS Capital Advisors is a fee-based firm headquartered in Denver. The firm works with mostly non-high-net-worth individuals, though their high-net-worth counterparts make up the second-largest percentage of SRS' client base. It also has a handful of pension plans as clients. There is no set account minimum at the firm.

The advisory staff here holds a variety of certifications. These include chartered life underwriter (CLU), certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and more. Certain advisors here can receive commissions from the sale of insurance products. Although this represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in clients' best interests at all times.

SRS Capital Advisors Background

SRS Capital Advisors was founded in 2004. The firm is owned by its co-founders and managing partners: David A. Simon, Michael P. Riordan and Patrick C. South. Custom investment management is available through SRS. The firm's financial planning services can cover retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, cash management planning, insurance planning and more.

SRS Capital Advisors Investment Strategy

The object of SRS Capital Advisors' overarching investment philosophy is to provide clients with an investment plan and portfolio that's specific to their personal needs and situation. In turn, the firm will take into account various factors like your risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs, financial goals and more. If you're interested, you can also impose some restrictions on investments made in your name.

The firm uses two main, proprietary strategies when trading client assets: the Trending Strategy and the QMT Strategy. The former divides the stock market into six distinct categories that focus on market capitalizations and growth/value characteristics, with ETFs being the main investments. The latter follows a similar category structure, with the money divided evenly between all six categories, though this can vary based on market conditions.

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GHP Investment Advisors is a fee-only firm. It also holds a spot on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Denver. The firm’s typical clientele includes both non-high-net-worth individuals and high-net-worth individuals, corporations, pooled investment vehicles and retirement plans.

GHP’s advisors have a relatively wide range of certifications. Such certifications include certified public accountants (CPA), certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFA), personal financial specialists (PFS) and certified internal auditors (CIA) on staff.

The firm generally requires a minimum investment of $500,000, including for its general supervisory services. GHP does charge clients performance-based fees. However, these fees are only applicable to investments in the GHP International Reform and Development Fund and solely apply to earnings over a high-water mark.

GHP Investment Advisors Background

GHP Investment Advisors has been around since 1995, making it one of the older firms on this list. Brian J. Friedman, the firm’s president and chief investment officer (CIO), is the principal owner and a co-founder along with Robert Hochstadt. Friedman has accrued nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry.

The manner in which your funds are invested depends on what services you’re in need of. The firm provides the following services:

• Retirement and estate planning
• Education fund planning
• General investment management
• Risk management
• Income tax planning

GHP Investment Advisors Investing Strategy

GHP Investment Advisors builds portfolios based on clients' financial plans. Rather than adhering to a certain number of investments, GHP likes to keep its options open. In its client portfolios, the firm may use exchange-listed securities, warrants, certificates of deposit (CDs), mutual funds, options, variable annuities, municipal securities, corporate debt securities and foreign issuers. 

The firm typically invests for the long term. When crafting an investment strategy, it takes into account a client's goals, time horizon, liquidity needs and risk tolerance, as well as tax impact, economic conditions and international exposure. The firm relies on the GHPIA Valuation Benchmark process to determine the risk versus return of investment opportunities. The benchmark helps the firm to identy whether an investment is overvalued, undervalued, high-risk or low-risk.

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Colorado Springs-based First Affirmative Financial Network tends to invest in areas of the market that support environmental and social responsibility, such as animal rights, renewable energy, racial equity, corporate behavior and more. The firm works with individuals both with and without a high net worth, as well as some institutional clients.

Investment minimums at the firm vary based on the type of account you open, with requirements ranging from $25,000 all the way up to $250,000. Some of the advisors who work here can sell insurance products on a commission basis. This presents a potential conflict of interest, though the firm's inherent fiduciary duty legally binds it to act in clients' best interests at all times.

First Affirmative Financial Network Background

Established in 1999, First Affirmative Financial Network offers its services to clients through on-staff advisors, outside partnered advisors and other means. These advisors are scattered all around the U.S. The firm's leadership team includes CEO George Gay, chief operating officer (COO) Amy Thacker, chief compliance officer (CCO) Kathleen Lewis and chief investment officer (CIO) Theresa Gusman.

As we state above, SRI investing is the premier service that First Affirmative offers. Financial planning services relating to retirement, estates, taxes and more are available as well.

First Affirmative Financial Network Investing Strategy

First Affirmative Financial Network provides clients with three different versions of its investment management services. Here's a breakdown of each:

• Custom Sustainable Investment Solution: These portfolios are built completely personal to your needs and desires. They typically include stocks and fixed-income securities that align with your ethical preferences and the firm's SRI research.
• Multi-Manager Account: This approach instead uses portfolio models, though the model you're given is specifically chosen because it fits your needs. You can explicitly choose to exclude fossil fuel investments from these portfolios.
• Managed Mutual Fund: As their name states, these portfolios are based on mutual fund investments. Again, investment decisions will align with the firm's SRI research and your needs.

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Cherry Creek Family Offices, a family office based in Denver, has a very high minimum investment requirement of $40 million. As you might expect, the firm's client base is small, with all of its individual clients coming in above the high-net-worth threshold. The firm has a single institutional client, which is a pooled investment vehicle.

The staff here includes two certified public accountants (CPAs). It is also a fee-only firm.

Cherry Creek Family Offices Background

Cherry Creek Family Offices has been around for about a decade, as it was founded back in 2011. The firm is principally owned by managing partner Timothy J. Ulfig and chief financial officer (CFO) William B. Novak III.

Financial planning at this firm can cover a wide variety of topics, including risk management, retirement planning, tax planning, investment planning and more. Investment management services are also available.

Cherry Creek Family Offices Investment Strategy

Because it's a family office, Cherry Creek works closely with you to ensure your investment portfolio incorporates all of your needs and accounts for all of your goals. This involves doing a deep dive into your and your family's short- and long-term financial goals. The firm primarily invests in equity and debt securities, with specific investment decisions depending on your investor profile.

In an effort to keep your portfolio updated with your situation and goals, your advisor will consistently meet with you on at least a quarterly basis. At these times, your advisor will also gather information about how your financial plans may be affected by any changing factors.

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Next on the list is fee-only firm Syntrinsic Investment Counsel. There are multiple financial advisors currently on staff at Syntrinsic's offices in northern Denver. The firm requires an account minimum of $15 million for new clients. Syntrinsic Investment Counsel has a majority of individual clients. The firm also actively maintains relationships with estates, trusts, charitable organizations, family partnerships, retirement plans and profit-sharing plans.

Outside of the firm's trio of investment management services, clients can take advantage of investment policy statement review and development, customized performance reporting, tax planning, philanthropic gift planning, intergenerational wealth planning, cash liquidity management and more.

Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, LLC Background

Syntrinsic Investment Counsel is under the leadership and principal ownership of CEO Ben Valore-Caplan. In 2008, Valore-Caplan founded Syntrinsic. Across that team, you'll find the designations of chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and chartered alternative investment analysts (CAIA).

Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, LLC Investment Strategy

Before Syntrinsic Investment Counsel feels comfortable designing your investment portfolio, it will delve into what type of investor you are. For example, those that are more risk-averse will typically avoid equities and leech onto safer investment types, like ETFs, mutual funds and bonds. Aside from risk tolerance, your time horizon, liquidity needs and investment goals will be of the utmost importance.

The exact asset allocation of a client's portfolio will be based on Syntrinsic's proprietary market and investment analysis as well as the individual client's tastes. The analysis completes a broad amount of research on two-time scales: long-term (10 years) and short-term (less than three years). The allocation that maximizes your return potential according to your risk tolerance will then be implemented, monitored and rebalanced as needed.

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Colorado Financial Management primarily works with individuals, a slight majority of whom have a high net worth. To open an advisory relationship with this Boulder-based financial advisor firm, though, you must have at least $500,000 in investable assets. Aside from individuals, the firm also has experience working with charities.

This fee-only firm is one of the richest in terms of advisor certifications of any firm on this list. There are several certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), along with certifications like chartered SRI counselor (CSRIC) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA).

Colorado Financial Management Background

An employee-owned firm, Colorado Financial Management’s owners include chief investment officer (CIO) Brad Bickham and senior financial advisors Chris Lagudis, Meagan D’Angelo, Luke Daniel and Joshua Miller. The firm has been in business since 1988.

Comprehensiveness is at the heart of how this firm manages its clients’ assets. Taking into account you and your family’s assets, income and liabilities, the firm will handle anything related to your retirement, taxes, insurance needs, estate plans and general investments.

Colorado Financial Management Client Experience

The first step in opening an account with this firm is to communicate your risk tolerance, financial goals and overall time horizon so that your advisor clearly understands your needs. The firm then works to create a tax-minimized investment philosophy that will ultimately dictate your portfolio’s composition. Generally, the firm believes that high-value investments with low volatility levels are best for portfolio health.

Colorado Financial Management mainly invests in exchange-traded funds exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fixed-income securities like bonds and mutual funds. These investment types align with the firm’s long-term approach. However, because some clients need liquidity, the firm may also use short-term investments.