Aspen Standard Wealth, a New York-based aggregator of independent registered investment advisors, has expanded its national footprint with the acquisition of Denver Private Wealth Management, a boutique firm managing approximately $550 million in client assets. The transaction, announced Tuesday, represents Aspen's ninth acquisition since it launched its buy-and-hold strategy in late 2024 and its first affiliate in Colorado.
Denver Private Wealth, founded in 2014, serves families, business owners, and executives, offering investment management, retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, and legacy planning. Darin Snow, managing partner of Denver Private Wealth, said in a statement that joining the Aspen platform will allow the firm to "further expand the robust suite of services available to our clients and extend our legacy for decades to come." Aspen CEO Aly Kassim-Lakha welcomed the addition, expressing confidence that the firm's resources will help Denver Private Wealth continue serving clients "for many, many years to come."
The deal was advised by FP Transitions, a consulting firm specializing in RIA transactions. Aspen's model emphasizes long-term alignment rather than a buy-to-sell approach: acquired firms retain their names and leadership while gaining access to Aspen's capital, technology, and back-office support. This structure was evident in recent acquisitions, including the addition of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based CWS Financial Advisors last month, which brought in roughly $1.3 billion in assets.
Earlier this year, Aspen acquired BlueSky Wealth Advisors, a New Bern, North Carolina firm with approximately $1 billion in assets, in March. In February, the company announced the appointment of Kevin DiSano, formerly chief growth officer at Beacon Pointe Advisors, as president overseeing organic growth. Aspen's first acquisition was Summitry, a San Francisco Bay Area practice with $2.8 billion in regulatory assets, completed in November 2024.
The Denver Private Wealth deal lands amid a record year for RIA M&A. According to Echelon Partners' latest quarterly report, the industry recorded 120 transactions in the second quarter of 2026, bringing first-half volume to 262 deals—the most active first half in the sector's history. The investment bank projects roughly 500 total transactions for the full year, which would surpass 2025's record of 466 and mark the busiest year on record for wealth management M&A.
This active environment has put mid-sized firms—those managing between $500 million and $5 billion—under particular pressure to decide how they want to compete, according to a separate industry analysis. Many are weighing partnership deals to fund growth and manage rising operational complexity rather than remain fully independent. Aspen's strategy of acquiring and retaining local brands appears to resonate with such firms, as evidenced by its steady deal flow.
For Aspen, the Denver acquisition adds a new geographic market and strengthens its presence in the Rocky Mountain region. The firm's network now spans multiple states, with a mix of large and mid-sized practices. The company has not disclosed financial terms of the transaction.
As the RIA M&A market continues to heat up, Aspen's methodical approach—focusing on cultural fit and long-term partnerships—may serve as a model for other aggregators. The firm's ability to attract firms like Denver Private Wealth, which has a strong local reputation, underscores the appeal of its platform to independent advisors seeking growth without sacrificing their identity.
