By
Some cities are proactive with residential growth. Other cities are proactive with economic development. Still others put a focus on community engagement. It’s rare to find a city that does all three — and that’s exactly what makes Greeley, Colorado stand out.
With a population of nearly 113,000 and a location a little over an hour’s drive from Denver, Greeley is in the midst of a transformation of its own making. Its elected officials, in close workings with a dedicated and motivated staff, have reached out to the residents. Together, they are creating plans for new residential developments and exciting technological innovations, all with a promise to keep the warm, small-town feel that makes the city so beloved.
Community Playmaker is proud to announce Greeley as the 2024 Community of the Year.
“Our residents, by and large, think we’re doing good things and making it a great place to live,” said John Gates, Greeley’s mayor for the last 7 years. “I can’t really ask for anything more. I really do care because I’m all about Greeley, and I’m not moving from Greeley.”
However, city officials anticipate thousands of new residents moving to the city. Projections see the population doubling by 2060.
Built on a heritage of crop and animal agriculture, Greeley is one of the few cities along the Front Range of Colorado with significant open lands and plenty of available water resources for future development. It’s managed to keep its housing costs relatively low over the years, which is just one reason why so many people have discovered its charming downtown and welcoming community.
Another reason is the efforts officials and staff have made to position themselves for success. They are working on a housing plan focused on providing enough homes for executives, students, and even those who are currently homeless. They’ve also recently launched an entrepreneurial startup incubator program designed to attract and grow more innovative businesses locally.
“The growth isn’t exactly creeping up on us,” Mayor Gates said. “We’ve started to see our community diversify. And that could have been a challenge, but instead, we’ve embraced it.”
Nothing speaks to Greeley’s interest in inclusivity as its Housing for All initiative. Deb Callies, the city’s Housing Director, credits the leadership of the mayor, city council, and a forward-focused city manager, Raymond Lee, for the holistic vision.
“They’re setting the stage for Greeley’s growth to be very mindful and strategic,” said Callies, who attended the University of Northern Colorado, which is based in Greeley. “When we say, ‘Housing for All,” we mean it: all income levels, all backgrounds, all people.”
Her office is currently working on a strategic plan, due out next year, with a variety of incentives to attract all kinds of residential development. They’re also working with families to receive downpayment assistance or maintenance funds to help keep communities strong.
“We need 19,400 units over the next 20 years, all types in all price points,” Ms. Callies said. “We need 6,700 units over the next five years alone.”
In West Greeley, that development is already underway. A new mixed-use project on 1,000 acres is set to bring 6,000 new homes, 3.5 million square feet of retail space, a youth hockey arena, an indoor waterpark, and a hotel with 350 rooms to accommodate the estimated 350,000 visitors a year to the area, explained John Hall, the city’s Director of Economic Development.
Affordable housing is a challenge Greeley is tackling head-on. Mayor Gates said the city council has adopted a “Housing First” model to collaborate with nonprofit, mental health, and faith-based organizations to identify barriers to housing and provide the necessary services. The goal is to end homelessness in the city, with 105 families finding permanent shelter in the last year alone.
“I like to call it a hand up, not a handout,” he said. “We have the compassionate approach to try to get folks who are homeless, those who want to be housed into some safe affordable housing.”
Image Source: City of Greeley
In Greeley, the departments don’t operate independently. Part of the success comes from a team-oriented mentality. The housing department meets regularly with economic development, transportation, parks, planning, public outreach, and other agencies within the government.
“We work hard for that collaborative coordination, to be working toward the same goals and objectives at the same time,” Mr. Hall said. “It’s clear about where we are and where we want to go.”
Under Mr. Lee’s leadership, the economic development team is tasked to identify and pursue projects that fit with Greeley’s vision of responsible and inclusive growth.
They are supported by residents, who recently voted to remove a “sunset” end date for a tax that had been used to fund $20 million in transportation infrastructure. As a result, a lot is happening: A new medical school, funded in part with $130 million in state grants, is under development in collaboration with the university, which brings 15,000 students into the community. Three new multi-family projects have spurred new redevelopment efforts, including new restaurants and a grocery store, downtown along 8th Avenue. The West Greeley development may even be home to a minor league hockey team if negotiations are successful.
Plus, there’s gBETA, an incubator program that’s run by Gener8tor and underwritten by the city’s general fund. It provides mentorship and support to emerging technology businesses in Greeley.
“We know there is tech growth all around us,” Mr. Hall said. “It’s important for us to be a part of that as we move forward. Greeley has a culture, and I want to respect and foster that character and culture. We honor the past while moving into the future.”
The elected officials and staff have confidence in their vision for the future in part because they know they have the support of the residents. Each year, they send a survey to gather feedback about their work and ideas for new priorities. Mayor Gates reported that 70 percent of those surveyed were satisfied with Greeley as a great place to live.
“We’ve had a lot of options in the city to maintain the status quo or to step outside the box a little bit,” he said. “And we’ve stepped outside the box a little.”
Still, the city continues to offer plenty of traditional events for residents to enjoy. The annual Arts Picnic, Blues Festival, and Greeley Stampede bring in tourists and promote the city as a destination. There are movies in the park over the summer, and there’s even a demolition derby that sells out the day tickets go on sale.
“Now, I don’t get it, but people love to watch cars crash,” the Mayor laughed. He goes on to say, “If we didn’t have some good things going on, people wouldn’t move here.”
Everyone is welcome, too. 40 percent of Greeley’s population speaks Spanish, and 12 languages are supported in the school district. Not everyone loves the additional traffic, but the city is working on that as well.
With all the proactive work, it’s no wonder so many people are discovering the city.
“It’s all happening at the same time,” Ms. Callies said. “It is such a desirable place to live. We have easy access to everything. The views of the mountains are beautiful. It is kind of fantastic.”
Magazine
Playmaker Events
Connect with playmaker
