BOULDER COUNTY
Jill Grano PROOF
Jill Grano’s
Jill Grano’s
FULL-CIRCLE CAREER:
LUXURY LISTINGS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LASTING IMPACT
Driven. Determined. Dedicated. If you know Boulder real estate, you’ve likely heard the name Jill Grano. Sharp as a tack and fiercely devoted to helping others achieve homeownership, Jill is a game changer in more ways than one. Behind the polished listings and concierge-level service lies a woman whose career is fueled by passion— for people, for equity, and for the community she proudly serves.
A third-generation REALTOR®, Jill grew up immersed in the industry. Her earliest memories include delivering holiday pies alongside her dad, thinking
his colleagues were actual family members. “I thought one of his closest real estate friends was my uncle,” she laughs.
But Jill’s journey didn’t begin with a for-sale sign. After studying political science at The College of William & Mary, she moved to Boulder and threw herself into everything from mountain biking to education. She served as Director of Admissions at the Watershed School, taught government, and helped shape young minds—while also managing properties on the side thanks to a real estate license she’d earned during college.
Then came the kitchen—and the wine. Jill became one of the first managers of The Kitchen Upstairs and pursued sommelier training. “I loved it, but the nights were long, and I had a young son. Getting home at 2 a.m. wasn’t sustainable.” That turning point nudged her back to her roots—into residential real estate. “I already knew the Boulder community so well.” With her connections through Watershed and real estate school, it was a natural fit.
Rising During the Recession
Jill launched her sales career during the 2010 recession. “It was a down market, so I had to stand out. I focused on marketing homes with a white-glove, conciergestyle service.” That commitment paid off. By 2014, her business was booming. Between 2015 and 2019, she became one of Boulder’s top producers, even selling a $10 million property—an unheard-of number at the time.
But Jill’s work wasn’t only about luxury listings. As her career blossomed, so did her deep involvement in affordable housing, particularly Boulder’s mobile
WE DO OUR BEST WORK WHEN WE LOVE WHAT WE DO, AND RIGHT NOW, I TRULY LOVE WHAT I DO.”
home communities. One pivotal moment came when a friend from her son’s school confided in her: a single mom of three, escaping domestic violence, struggling to find stable housing. Jill rallied support and raised nearly $50,000 to purchase a manufactured home for the family. “She changed her life,” Jill recalls. “They finally had stability.”
That act of kindness turned into advocacy. Jill uncovered systemic issues
in manufactured housing—residents unaware they were behind on tax payments, homes auctioned for minor debts, and properties sold without the owners even knowing. Outraged, she took action—buying back homes for women facing eviction, knocking on doors to deliver the news in person, and working with state legislators to overhaul notification laws. Her efforts led to major reforms—including an end to mobile home lien sales in Boulder.
From Listings to Legislature
Jill’s real estate background and political science degree eventually converged. She joined city boards, zoning committees, and housing campaigns— ultimately running for Boulder City Council. She won, with housing reform as her leading issue.
Then came a call from U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse, asking her to lead his district outreach office and manage his housing portfolio. Jill stepped away from real estate and resigned from the City Council to serve, doing deeply important work during a volatile time.
Over the next three years, she navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the Boulder mass shooting—helping small businesses secure emergency loans, supporting constituents through chaos, and witnessing history unfold. “It was intense,” she says. “But Congressman Neguse is one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen. It felt right to give that work everything I had.”
Coming Full Circle
In March 2023, Jill returned to real estate—this time with deeper resolve. “I missed the COVID boom,” she laughs. “But I’ve been here before. I built my business during a downturn, and I’m doing it again.” She goes the extra mile for clients.
For listings, she covers the first 30 days of staging, pays for cleaning, coordinates contractors,
and manages every detail. She builds custom websites, utilizes social media marketing, and hosts thoughtfully curated open houses. “I want my clients to feel completely taken care of.”
Since returning to real estate, Jill has seen exponential growth. Much of that success, Jill says, is thanks to her brokerage, milehimodern.
“Milehimodern is phenomenal. You get the power and presence of a large company with the heart and ownership of a local one— and that meant a lot to me.”
Beyond Transactions
But Jill’s impact goes far beyond transactions. A lifelong advocate for affordable housing, she serves on the Board of the Boulder Housing Authority.
PROOF
She also co-hosts a monthly radio show titled “Who Owns Boulder?” This awardwinning show explores homeownership trends and their impact on the city. But that’s not all! This change-maker is also involved in housing initiatives like “Yes in God’s Backyard”, which empowers churches to leverage their land for affordable housing. And in her business, a portion of every sale goes to a nonprofit of her client’s choosing.
Jill is a member and sponsor of Rocky Mountain Equality and Justice, supporting the LGBTQ+ community through events and initiatives.
Outside of work, family is everything. She and her ex-husband co-parent their two sons—Ryder, 20, a student at Santa Barbara City College who aspires to be a science teacher, and Treker, 11, who will be starting at Centennial soon.
She also shares life with her partner Natalie, who formerly served as the Director of Transportation for the City of Boulder. “It’s kind of fun,” Jill smiles. “I’m housing, she’s transportation. We nerd out over infrastructure. When we travel, we look at how cities are designed— how much of the road is for pedestrians, how much for cars. If we could design a city, it would be equitable and beautiful.”
Together, Jill and Natalie have a blended family of five kids. To relax, Jil enjoys traveling, biking, and one unique hobby.
“During COVID, I got into microelectronics,” she says. “I taught myself basic coding and started making electronic toys and gifts using Arduino
microchips. One of my favorites is an open-circuit energy box—you hold hands with someone, touch the sensors, and it lights up. I’ve even gold-leafed them as memorial pieces. It’s weird, but I love it.”
In every facet of her life—from real estate to advocacy, family to futuristic hobbies—Jill is exactly where she’s meant to be.
“We do our best work when we love what we do,” she reflects. “And right now, I truly love what I do.”
Jill Adler Grano
303-945-0601
jill@jillgrano.com www.jillgrano.com
