West Greeley Project Updates

Below is an official news release from the City of Greeley:

City of Greeley Seeks a Communication Consultant to Support West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee and Public Education Materials

Short-term engagement will help ensure consistent, transparent communication and timely delivery of materials

GREELEY, Colo. – The City of Greeley seeks a skilled communication consultant. This agency will support the West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee and create educational materials. The consultant will also help the city give clear and accessible information to residents, as well as share feedback and recommendations.

The city and the previous consultant mutually agreed to discontinue the contract. The city is now moving forward with a search for a new consultant to continue communication support.

The city plans to choose from consultants who already have master service-level agreements. These firms have been vetted through the city’s process. This allows work to begin quickly and ensures continuity for the public.

The West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee was established to support transparency and public engagement. The committee helps ensure informed decision-making as the city considers the next steps for the West Greeley project. The support of a new consultant will:

• Share clear and regular updates about the committee’s work and key project updates.
• Create educational materials to help residents understand the project and the information available.
• Help make complex information easier to understand and present it in a way that is friendly for the public.

The city hopes to engage a new consultant by the end of June. For updates on the West Greeley Project, https://speakupgreeley.com/west-greeley-project-update.

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Meeting materials and project information are available at: https://greeleyco.gov/west-greeley-oversight

Why Were Studies Conducted?

The West Greeley Project has been evaluated through multiple independent studies conducted by nationally recognized firms. Each study examined a different aspect of the project, including housing demand, commercial development potential, operational feasibility, economic impact and financing considerations.

Together, these studies help City Council, the Oversight Committee and the public better understand opportunities, risks and potential outcomes associated with the project.

Understanding the West Greeley Studies

How the Studies Work Together: The City did not rely on a single report or consultant when evaluating the West Greeley Project. Instead, multiple independent studies were commissioned to answer different questions:

1. Is there long-term demand for growth in West Greeley?
2. Can additional retail, office and commercial development be supported?
3. Can the proposed arena, hotel and water park operate successfully?
4. What economic benefits could the project generate?
5. How could the project be financed and what risks would need to be managed?

Taken together, these studies provide a framework for evaluating market demand, financial feasibility, public benefits and project risks.

Residential Growth & Housing Demand Study

Zonda Advisory evaluated long-term housing demand in West Greeley and the broader Northern Colorado market.

Key Findings:

• West Greeley is located within one of Northern Colorado's growing residential corridors.
• Future demand is supported by regional population growth and employment trends.
• Housing demand exists independent of the proposed arena, hotel or water park.
• The study found the area could support additional residential development over time.

Why It Matters: Residential growth provides future customers, workforce opportunities and tax base that support broader economic development.

Commercial & Retail Demand Evaluation

Economic & Planning Systems (EPS) evaluated future demand for retail, office and commercial development within West Greeley.

Key Findings:

• Approximately 1.8 million square feet of commercial demand could be supported over a 20-year period.
• Demand is driven by new residents, employment growth and visitor activity.
• The study found potential for new retail and commercial activity rather than simply shifting existing spending from other parts of Greeley.

Why It Matters: Understanding future commercial demand helps inform infrastructure planning, land use decisions and economic development opportunities.

Arena, Hotel & Water Park Feasibility

Hotel & Leisure Advisors (H&LA) evaluated whether the proposed arena, hotel, conference center and indoor water park could operate successfully in the Northern Colorado market.

Key Findings:

• The arena, hotel and water park were found to be operationally viable.
• The analysis included multiple scenarios and conservative market assumptions.
• The study evaluated attendance, occupancy, visitation and operating performance over time.
• The arena analysis included the Colorado Eagles as a long-term anchor tenant.

Why It Matters: Feasibility studies help determine whether facilities can realistically attract visitors, generate revenue and sustain operations over the long term.

Economic Impact Analysis

An economic impact study was conducted to evaluate broader community outcomes and economic benefits associated with the project.

Key Findings:

• The study projected:
  • Construction-related jobs and economic activity during development.
  • Long-term visitor spending.
  • Additional tax revenue generation.
  • Ongoing economic activity associated with operations and tourism.

Why It Matters: Economic impact studies help communities understand potential public benefits beyond direct project revenues.

Financing & Project Costs

How Financing Was Evaluated

Financial planning for the project incorporated assumptions from the market, feasibility and economic impact studies.

The financing structure considered:

• Certificates of Participation (COPs)
• Potential bond financing
• General Improvement District (GID) revenues
• Public-private partnership structures
• Phased implementation and risk-management strategies

Current Status: The Oversight Committee is currently reviewing project finances, costs, obligations and potential paths forward as part of its evaluation process.

Independent Reviews & Additional Analysis

How Were Different Studies Used? As part of the public discussion, additional reviews and analyses have been conducted regarding project assumptions, costs and financing.

The City, Oversight Committee and City Council continue to review information from multiple sources to better understand project risks, opportunities and potential outcomes.

No single study determines the future of the project. Instead, decision-makers are evaluating the full body of information available as they consider next steps.

The West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee held its fourth meeting this week, continuing its review of project finances, debt-management options and ongoing project activities.

During the meeting, committee members received presentations on Certificates of Participation (COPs), debt service scenarios, tools available to address debt and examples of financial recovery approaches used by municipalities outside Colorado. The committee also reviewed updates on current project-related work, including the Planned Unit Development (PUD), the Highway 34/County Road 17 interchange, catalyst site grading and stabilization, Boyd water transmission line relocation and catalyst design efforts.

Committee members asked detailed questions throughout the discussion regarding project timelines, affordability, bond rates, project costs, debt-management strategies, public-private partnership opportunities and the overall value of the project and associated land assets. The committee also discussed the importance of effectively communicating potential tradeoffs and decision-making factors to the public.

Looking ahead, the committee discussed priorities for the next one to three months and highlighted the need for a thoughtful communications plan to help residents understand the considerations behind any future recommendations.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 4 at 4:30 pm and will include additional data review and discussion of potential recommendations. The committee’s final meeting to refine recommendations is scheduled for June 11.

Stay up to date on all project materials discussed by visiting the document library: https://greeleyco.gov/west-greeley-oversight

The West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee held its third meeting, focusing on the project's financial overview.

Key topics included the original financing structure, which involves Certificates of Participation (COPs), bond assumptions, project timelines, and pre-development spending. The committee also discussed how feasibility studies, current market conditions, and zoning changes are affecting the project’s financial outlook and future options. To view the presentation of the financial model, please visit the following link: https://greeleyco.gov/west-greeley-oversight/#docaccess-c1b0394754df7d4cefe5dad30b2e8081

Committee members actively engaged with detailed questions regarding debt structure, long-term obligations, project risks, and potential financial scenarios. This meeting saw the highest public attendance so far, reflecting strong community interest. We encourage all residents to continue attending and staying informed throughout the review process.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 28th at 4:30 PM, where the financial discussion will continue.

For updates and access to all project-related materials, please visit our document library: https://greeleyco.gov/west-greeley-oversight.

During the City Council work session on April 28, 2026, discussions about the financial aspects of the West Greeley project continued. The Council reviewed a presentation outlining the total project costs and the current funding status, and highlighted areas where further support and clarification are needed.

The West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee, which meets later this week, will also discuss these details. This committee was created to bring community perspective into this process, providing a forum to review this information in detail, ask questions and help inform what comes next. As the committee begins its work, members will dig into these financial realities and explore options in a transparent, public setting. We will keep you updated as the committee continues its important work.

For more information about the West Greeley project, be sure to watch the work session: https://greeleyco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3360/overview

The City of Greeley will complete the Boyd Water Line, a critical infrastructure project that supports long-term growth and development in West Greeley.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of the project’s current status, prior investments and the role this infrastructure plays in supporting future growth. At this stage, approximately $14 million of the $17 million total project cost has already been invested, and custom high-pressure water pipe has been manufactured and delivered to the site.

Why the City is moving forward

Completing the Boyd Water Line is a practical and forward-looking decision based on several key factors:

• Significant progress has already been made. With the majority of project costs already incurred and materials staged on site, completing the project allows the City to deliver a fully functional system rather than leaving partially completed infrastructure in place.
• Water infrastructure is essential for future growth. Reliable water service is a foundational requirement for residential, commercial and employment development. This investment ensures West Greeley is prepared for future opportunities, regardless of the outcome of the Catalyst project.
• Protecting prior investment. Completing the water line allows the City to maximize the value of funds already committed and avoid inefficiencies associated with halting work mid-project.
• Supporting long-term economic development. Infrastructure like the Boyd Water Line enables future development by ensuring that utilities are in place when needed. This helps position Greeley to respond to growth in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

What this means moving forward

The Boyd Water Line is not tied to a single project. Instead, it is part of the broader infrastructure network needed to support growth in West Greeley over time.

Completing the line ensures the City is prepared for a range of future development scenarios and avoids delays or additional costs that could arise from restarting infrastructure work later.

What to expect

• Construction will continue to completion
• Installed materials, including high-pressure pipe already on site, will be utilized
• The completed system will remain in place to serve future development needs

The City will continue to evaluate next steps for West Greeley and provide updates as decisions are made.

Below is an official news release from the City of Greeley:

City of Greeley Establishes Oversight Committee to Guide Transparent Review of West Greeley Project

Applications open March 20 will run through March 30 for residents to play a role in shaping next steps for West Greeley

GREELEY, Colo. - The City of Greeley today announced it is now accepting applications for the West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee, a citizen advisory group established to support transparency, public engagement and informed decision-making as the City evaluates next steps for the Catalyst Project.

The West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee is being created following the February 24, 2026 voter-approved repeal of Ordinance 30, 2025, which previously established zoning for the proposed development area in West Greeley. As the City works through next steps, the committee will provide a structured forum for ongoing review of project information and continued public involvement.

“We’ve heard clearly that residents want to be part of the conversation moving forward,” said Mayor Dale Hall. “This committee creates an opportunity to bring those perspectives into the process as we take a step back, do our due diligence and determine the best path forward for Greeley.”

The committee will review financial, zoning and planning information related to the project and provide feedback and recommendations to City Council and staff. It will also support efforts to improve communication with residents and receive regular updates on project developments and related economic activity in West Greeley.

The group will include nine Greeley residents, with representation from across the city’s wards where possible, and is expected to serve for approximately six months. A City Council member will participate in an ex-officio capacity, with City staff providing administrative and subject-matter support.

Members should be prepared for a significant time commitment, including weekly meetings lasting approximately two to three hours, anticipated to be held in the late afternoon or early evening. Participants will be expected to review materials in advance and engage in structured discussions as part of the advisory process.

Applications will be accepted through the Boards and Commissions platform on the City of Greeley’s website beginning March 20, 2026, and will close on March 30, 2026. Applicants must be residents of the City of Greeley. City Council is expected to review applications at its April 7 meeting.

Additional information about the committee, including expectations and responsibilities, will be available as part of the application process.

For updates on the West Greeley project review, visit SpeakUpGreeley.com/Catalyst.

Our residents take pride in their city and take an active role in shaping it, working through challenges together. In that spirit, the City of Greeley is taking three deliberate steps for the West Greeley project to move forward responsibly and with community input.