Founded in 2012, the firm works with clients to identify goals, risk tolerance, and overall financial circumstances, then builds and manages a portfolio around that profile. As of December 31, 2024, Denver Wealth Management reported over $435 million in assets under management (AUM).
On the investment side, Denver Wealth Management uses a four-step approach called “The Summit Investment Process” - plan, identify, examine, and implement - to build a client's portfolio.
On the planning side, the firm typically begins with a full review of a client’s financial picture, using assets and liabilities, income sources, savings, insurance coverage, and estate plans, and may include goal setting, cash-flow analysis, insurance planning, investment analysis, retirement forecasting, and estate plan review, to develop a full plan. This is then updated annually.
Denver Wealth Management also highlights insurance services as part of its offering and notes that it works with multiple insurance carriers.
For clients who want a more portal-driven experience, the firm offers a Digital Wealth Advisor (DWA) option that lets clients transfer assets, open accounts, view their portfolio, and request updates through a personal portal while still having access to a personal advisor.
What are the pros and cons of Denver Wealth Management?
Denver Wealth Management’s setup can work well for clients who want hands-on guidance and a coordinated approach across investing, planning, retirement, and insurance needs.
At the same time, the fee schedule can reach 1.50% annually for investment management, and it also outlines conflicts that can arise when advisory personnel provide commission-based brokerage or insurance services in a separate capacity.
Here are some of the key advantages and drawbacks to help you decide if Denver Wealth Management is the right fit for you.
Pros of Denver Wealth Management:
Customized portfolio management: The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management with ongoing client interaction, building portfolios around a client’s goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation.
Diverse investment options: The firm commonly implements portfolios using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, with the ability to use other securities when appropriate.
Comprehensive planning with annual updates: Planning is positioned as a core part of the service, with financial plans updated annually.
Portal option alongside personal advisor: The Digital Wealth Advisor (DWA) offers an individual portal for opening accounts, viewing portfolios, transferring assets, and making updates, while keeping access to a personal advisor.
Cons of Denver Wealth Management:
Higher fees than some lower-touch models: The annual asset-based fee of up to 1.50% may be higher than those of some lower-touch or robo-advice models.
Potential additional layers of cost: Clients may also pay custodian/execution fees and the internal expenses of mutual funds and ETFs held in the portfolio, in addition to the advisory fee.
High minimum account requirements: Advisory services require an initial account value of $500,000. At the same time, the algorithm-based Guided Wealth Portfolios managed service requires a $5,000 minimum to enroll, which may be too high for investors with smaller portfolios.
Denver Wealth Management fees: How much does Denver Wealth Management cost?
Denver Wealth Management’s costs fall into three main buckets:
Investment management fees: Tiered, up to 1.50% annually and billed quarterly in advance.
Guided Wealth Portfolios fees: A 1.35% total annual fee for clients in that program.
Financial planning fees: Up to $350/hour or up to $10,000 for a fixed engagement.
The firm also lists retirement plan advisory fees that range from 1.00% annually (asset-based) to $10,000 per year (fixed), depending on the engagement.
In addition, clients may pay third-party custody/execution fees, as well as fund-level expenses, for mutual funds and ETFs.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the costs associated with Denver Wealth Management.
Investment management fee
| Assets under management | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $99,999.99 | 1.50% |
| $100,000 to $249,999 | 1.30% |
| $250,000 to $499,999 | 1.20% |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 1.10% |
| $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 | 1.00% |
| $2,000,000 to $2,999,999 | 0.95% |
| $3,000,000 to $3,999,999 | 0.90% |
| $4,000,000 to $4,999,999 | 0.85% |
| $5,000,000 to $5,999,999 | 0.80% |
| $6,000,000 to $6,999,999 | 0.75% |
| $7,000,000+ | Negotiated |
Managed cash accounts (no equities/securities purchased): 0.50% annual advisory fee (separate from the tiered schedule)
Guided Wealth Portfolios (algorithm-based program) fee
| Guided Wealth Portfolios fee component | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Total fee | 1.35% |
| Program fee | 0.35% |
| Advisor fee | Up to 1.00% |
Financial planning fees (when billed separately)
| Financial planning pricing | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate (up to) | $350/hour |
| Fixed engagement fee (up to) | $10,000 |
Retirement plan advisory fees
| Retirement plan advisory pricing | Amount |
|---|---|
| Asset-based fee (up to) | 1.00% annually |
| Fixed annual fee (up to) | $10,000 per year |
| Schedule note | Up to $1,000,000: 1.00%; Over $1,000,000: Negotiable |
Other costs and expenses
Clients may also incur custody and execution fees charged by third parties, as well as the internal expenses of mutual funds and ETFs held in the portfolio. These costs are separate from the advisory fee.
What is Denver Wealth Management’s minimum account size?
Denver Wealth Management’s minimums depend on the service: its advisor-led wealth management has a higher stated entry point, while its algorithm-based managed program has a lower enrollment minimum.
Minimum account size by service
| Service | Minimum account size |
|---|---|
| Advisor-led advisory services (minimum initial account value) | $500,000 (negotiable at the firm’s discretion) |
| Guided Wealth Portfolios (algorithm-based managed service) | $5,000 |
Who should choose Denver Wealth Management?
Denver Wealth Management is designed for clients who value an ongoing, advisor-led relationship and want investment management combined with broader financial planning.
Denver Wealth Management works well for:
Investors seeking a dedicated human advisor: The firm’s core offering centers on one-on-one advisory relationships, with portfolios managed by an advisor and supported by ongoing reviews and planning.
Clients with complex or multi-area planning needs: The service integrates investment management with comprehensive financial planning, rather than focusing only on portfolio construction.
Higher-balance households comfortable with a traditional advisory model: The stated minimum initial account value of $500,000 (negotiable at the firm’s discretion) aligns more closely with investors who already have meaningful investable assets and are looking for coordinated advice across their financial picture.
Those who prefer structure over self-direction: The firm follows a defined investment framework and emphasizes asset allocation and ongoing supervision, which may appeal to clients who want a disciplined process managed on their behalf.
Clients open to a hybrid experience: For those who want digital access but still value advisor availability, the firm’s portal-based options allow account access and monitoring while maintaining contact with an advisor.
Who might not benefit as much:
Investors with smaller starting balances: Clients who do not meet, or are unlikely to meet, the $500,000 minimum for advisor-led services may find the core offering less accessible.
Cost-sensitive investors focused on low fees: The asset-based advisory fee structure may not appeal to investors prioritizing minimal ongoing costs.
Hands-on or active traders: The service is built around managed portfolios and long-term strategies rather than frequent trading, self-directed stock selection, or tactical investing.
Investors seeking a purely automated solution: While an algorithm-based managed program is available, the firm’s primary value proposition emphasizes human advice and ongoing interaction rather than a fully self-service digital experience.
Denver Wealth Management: Is it secure?
Denver Wealth Management operates as an SEC-registered investment adviser and provides services as a fiduciary, with duties of loyalty, fairness, and good faith toward clients.
Denver Wealth Management does not hold client assets. The firm does not accept or hold client funds or securities (other than limited authority described in the brochure), and client assets are held in designated accounts with the custodian.
Client information is protected through administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including secure passwords, encrypted file storage, and a secure website.
For transactions implemented through an advisory person’s separate brokerage capacity at LPL Financial, LPL Financial is identified as a member of SIPC (and FINRA).
Denver Wealth Management: Customer service
Denver Wealth Management’s customer service model centres on direct access to advisors, rather than a tiered helpdesk or app-based support system. Support is delivered primarily through human interaction, reflecting the firm’s advisor-led approach.
It does offer other support channels, including:
Phone support: The firm provides a primary phone number for client contact, which serves as a direct channel for service questions and ongoing advisory communication.
Email and portal-based communication: For clients enrolled in the Guided Wealth Portfolios program, communications occur primarily via email and the investor portal, with advisor availability by phone or in person when needed.
Is Denver Wealth Management worth it?
Whether Denver Wealth Management is worth it depends largely on how much hands-on advice you want and the size of your investable assets.
For investors who value a long-term, advisor-led relationship, Denver Wealth Management can be a good fit.
Clients work directly with an advisor, follow a defined investment framework, and receive guidance that extends beyond portfolio construction alone. This structure may appeal to households looking for coordinated advice across multiple aspects of their financial lives.
However, Denver Wealth Management may be less compelling for cost-focused or self-directed investors.
Investors who prefer a fully automated, low-cost platform, frequent self-directed trading, or a mobile-first app experience may find the service less aligned with their preferences.
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