Colorado approves $121 million from tourism for the National Western Center

Colorado’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) has approved $121.5 million for the National Western Center through the Regional Tourism Act (RTA). The funding will spur implementation of the National Western Center master plan adopted in March 2015.

“We are thankful to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade for their careful consideration and excited to have the state as a partner of the National Western Center,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “This is a tremendous win for the Denver metro region and a proud milestone as we deliver this exciting new campus. We look forward to working together to create a unique tourist destination that will draw over one million new visitors each year. The state’s investment in the National Western Center will have significant economic returns for Colorado.”

The funds will be used to construct elements of the National Western Center that will drive tourists to the future campus. Buildings such as the new Livestock Center, Stockyards/Events Pavilion and the Equestrian Center will create new tourist opportunities that will bring an estimated $6.7 billion in net new visitor spending over 30 years of stabilized operations. In addition, RTA funding will also support the revitalization of the riverfront and new infrastructure that will help connect the surrounding neighborhoods.  

Land acquisition, rail consolidation and site remediation are three initial critical first steps the project team will focus on in the coming year and beyond. These three elements will determine the future pace of implementation that is anticipated to take ten years or more to construct. The City has recently began land acquisition efforts.

The RTA funding will account for 14% of the total finance plan for phases 1 and 2 of 8 totaling $856.4 million. The rest of the finance plan includes contributions from the Western Stock Show Association, Colorado State University and the City and County of Denver. Mayor Hancock has appointed the Denver Urban Renewal Authority as the financing entity that will handle the RTA funds for the project.

About the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC)

An initiative of Mayor Michael B. Hancock, the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative (NDCC) is a coordinated effort between six redevelopment projects in a vibrant community that includes Globeville, Elyria and Swansea. These projects have a unique and historic opportunity to rebuild a connected community and energize a gateway to downtown Denver. Projects include:

•          Globeville & Elyria – Swansea Neighborhood Plans
•          National Western Center 
•          Brighton Blvd. Corridor Redevelopment
•          River North (RiNo)
•          I-70 East Reconstruction
•          RTD Station Development for the East, Gold and North Metro Lines

For more information, visit www.denvergov.org/NDCC.