Michael Christopher Payne

Michael Christopher Payne is a distinguished attorney based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a focus on representing financial institutions, private lenders, businesses, and individuals in complex commercial real estate and financing transactions. He adeptly assists clients in establishing and enforcing creditors’ rights.

Michael has been honored as a Super Lawyer by Colorado Super Lawyers Magazine from 2020 to 2024. He is also recognized by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in Banking and Finance Law. His professional excellence is further affirmed by an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings, reflecting his high levels of skill and integrity.

An active member of the legal community, Michael is affiliated with the Colorado Bar Association, including its Business and Real Estate Sections, as well as the Larimer County and Weld County Bar Associations. His bar admissions include all courts in the State of Colorado, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Michael has held leadership roles such as serving on the Real Estate Section Council of the Colorado Bar Association and as an officer of its Business Law Section. He is a former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Weld Community Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation.

A proud alumnus of the University of Kansas, Michael earned both his B.A. and J.D. from this institution. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!