Denver pastor ordered to repay family over $300,000 for botched construction project

Tilo Lopez charged the Lara family over 500% more than he paid for demolition and other work, judge rules

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A Denver judge has ordered local pastor Tilo Lopez to pay the Lara family $311,000 in restitution after Lopez was criminally prosecuted for fraud related to a construction project he took on for the family. The judge found that Lopez charged the Lara family exorbitant markups, including a 542% markup on demolition costs, and then disappeared after taking their $250,000 upfront payment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the risks of hiring contractors, especially those with a religious background, without thoroughly vetting them and their business practices. The Lara family trusted Lopez due to his status as a pastor, but he allegedly took advantage of their faith and left them with massive financial losses.

The details

In 2020, the Lara family hired Lopez, who runs a construction company called Remodeling Specialists LLC, to demolish their home next door and build a duplex so three generations could live together. After the Laras paid Lopez at least $250,000 upfront, he demolished their home but then "disappeared" without completing the work. Prosecutors later charged Lopez criminally, and he pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and attempted theft. At a restitution hearing, evidence showed Lopez charged the Lara family $90,000 for a demolition job he only paid $14,000 for, a 542% markup. He also charged them $150,000 for asbestos abatement that he only paid $30,000 for.

  • In 2020, the Lara family signed contracts with Lopez to demolish their home and build a duplex.
  • In September 2022, Lopez pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the construction project.
  • On February 13, 2026, a Denver judge ordered Lopez to pay the Lara family $311,191.64 in restitution.

The players

Tilo Lopez

A Denver-area pastor who also ran a construction company called Remodeling Specialists LLC. He was criminally charged and ordered to pay restitution for defrauding the Lara family during a construction project.

Ventura and Elsie Lara

An elderly couple who hired Lopez to demolish their home and build a duplex, but ended up losing their life savings after Lopez charged them exorbitant markups and then disappeared without completing the work.

Miguel Lara

The son of Ventura and Elsie Lara, who said the losses to Lopez have forced his parents to continue working instead of being able to retire.

Dennis Olivas

A demolition contractor who testified that Lopez paid him $14,000 to demolish the Lara's home, but then charged the Lara family $90,000 for the demolition work.

Juanita Aliste-Munoz

The Lara family's daughter, who said their only fault was believing in a minister who "talked highly about God."

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What they’re saying

“This man lied to us.”

— Miguel Lara, Son of Ventura and Elsie Lara (CBS Colorado)

“We just thought him being a man of God, we trusted him completely.”

— Elsie Lara, 77-year-old homeowner (CBS Colorado)

“I thought that was crazy.”

— Dennis Olivas, Demolition contractor (CBS Colorado)

“The situation he put us in now is we are living paycheck to paycheck because we don't have any money to fall back on.”

— Ventura Lara, 81-year-old homeowner (CBS Colorado)

“The only fault we had is we believed in a minister that talked highly about God.”

— Juanita Aliste-Munoz, Lara family's daughter (CBS Colorado)

What’s next

The judge's restitution order is expected to be appealed by Lopez's lawyer.

The takeaway

This case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors, even those with a religious background, and not blindly trusting them based on their claims of faith or community standing. The Lara family's experience highlights the devastating financial and emotional toll that can result from contractor fraud.