It would pi$$ me off to no end if a 19 year old came to talk to me with a binder telling me how good of a deal I am getting by seeing a 36% rent increase.

Is there anyone in the Denver area that knows the early stages for subdividing land or what professionals I should turn to in order to start collecting some basic info?

Note: This could happen NOT by your choice with a layoff.

My lease has a sublet fee (2 weeks is guest by lease more than 2 weeks in a year is sublet) that is costly enough ($100/night per person which is about what a cheaper hotel is here) that makes sure tenants do not have others move-in without informing us.

It varies for me city by city here in south Florida.

Nice to meet you I'm almost halfway through "The book on rental property investing" by Brandon Turner and it's really open my eyes to real estate! 

If that's the case, maybe look at a different house hacking strategy that might work (like a SFR with an ADU or renting by the room, ie having roommates).2.

STRs are an option too, but you’ll need to navigate stricter regulations in some areas.

My plan is to live on the upper unit and rent a room out to a buddy and turn the lower unit into a midterm rental.

If I were local, I would go by and confirm the furnace was working.