DAVID AHRENS 47111 v. << (2026)

ORDER FOLLOWING ORAL OPINION IMPOSING SANCTIONS UNDER C.R.C.P. 242.31(b)

SUMMARY OF OPINION

In an oral opinion following a sanctions hearing, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge disbarred David F. Ahrens from the practice of law in Colorado. Ahrens's registered business address is in Longmont, Colorado, and his attorney registration number is 47111. The disbarment is scheduled to take effect March 11, 2026.

In three client matters, Ahrens failed to diligently complete work and failed to take any meaningful steps in furtherance of the representation. In two of those matters, Ahrens abandoned the clients’ matters. Ahrens thereby violated Colo. RPC 1.3 (a lawyer must act with reasonable diligence and promptness when representing a client). In four client matters, Ahrens ignored his clients’ reasonable requests for information, thereby violating Colo. RPC 1.4(a)(4). In one client matter, Ahrens failed to communicate the basis of his fee or scope of his representation in writing, thereby violating Colo. RPC 1.5(b). In two client matters, Ahrens issued the client a nonrefundable fee agreement, violating Colo. RPC 1.5(g). Because, in three client matters, Ahrens's flat-fee agreement did not include specific benchmarks for earning a portion of the flat fee before he concluded the representation, Ahrens violated Colo. RPC 1.5(h). In all four client matters, Ahrens deposited the clients’ funds into his operating account and treated those funds as earned before he completed any useful work to earn the funds, thereby violating Colo. RPC 1.15A(a) (a lawyer must hold client property separate from the lawyer's own property). When Ahrens's representation terminated in three client matters, he failed to return to the clients any files or unearned fees in violation of Colo. RPC 1.16(d) (a lawyer must protect a client's interests upon termination of the representation, including by giving reasonable notice to the client and returning unearned fees and any papers and property to which the client is entitled). Ahrens also knowingly failed to respond to the People's requests for substantive information regarding three client matters, violating Colo. RPC 8.1(b). Finally, in three client matters, Ahrens knowingly converted the clients’ money by treating the funds as earned, even though he had not done work to earn the money and was not authorized to use the money for his own purposes. He therefore violated Colo. RPC 8.4(c) (providing that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation).

ORDER

The Court ORDERS:

1. DAVID F. AHRENS, attorney registration number 47111, is DISBARRED from the practice of law in Colorado. The disbarment will take effect upon issuance of an “Order and Notice of Disbarment.”

2. Respondent MUST pay restitution to Randal Long in the amount of $5,350.00; to Kathryn Porterfield in the amount of $4,750.00; and to Charlotte Ingold in the amount of $1,750.00. Respondent MUST pay these restitution amounts no later than Wednesday, April 1, 2026, care of Gregory G. Sapakoff of the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

3. Respondent MUST promptly comply with C.R.C.P. 242.32(b)-(e), concerning winding up of affairs, notice to current clients, duties owed in litigation matters, and notice to other jurisdictions where he is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice law.

4. Within fourteen days of issuance of the “Order and Notice of Disbarment,” Respondent MUST file an affidavit with the Court under C.R.C.P. 242.32(f), attesting to his compliance with C.R.C.P. 242.32.

5. The parties MUST file any posthearing motions no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Any response thereto MUST be filed within seven days.

6. The parties MUST file any application for stay pending appeal no later than the date on which the notice of appeal is due. Any response thereto MUST be filed within seven days.

7. Respondent MUST pay the costs of this proceeding. The People MUST submit a statement of costs no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Any response challenging the reasonableness of those costs MUST be filed within seven days thereafter.

DATED THIS 25th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026.

BRYON M. LARGE PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE