LOCATION
With a land area of 196 square miles and a population of 445,952 (697,856 MSA), Colorado Springs is the state’s largest city in land mass and the second largest city in population. Colorado Springs is the seat of El Paso County, and the city is located at the foot of Pikes Peak, with Downtown centrally located at the juncture of Interstate 25 and Highway 24. The Downtown Development Authority district encompasses just over 1 square mile.
- 70 miles south of Downtown Denver
- 44 miles north of Downtown Pueblo
- 18-minute drive to the Colorado Springs Airport
- 2-hour drive to skiing in Summit County
DDA
The Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority is guided by a mission to build public and private investment partnerships that promote the economic and physical growth of Downtown Colorado Springs.
Downtown property owners voted to establish the DDA in November 2006 to provide programs and financial incentives to foster Downtown development. DDA is governed by a board of 11 people appointed by Colorado Springs City Council. Downtown Partnership staff execute the work of the DDA as a contracted affiliate. In 2016, City Council adopted the updated Experience Downtown Plan Volume I as the official Plan of Development for DDA. The DDA is funded in two ways: first, by a 5-mill tax levy within the district to support its operations; and second, through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The latter is the capture of increased property tax revenues within the district following a baseline assessment. TIF revenues go into a special fund and, as it grows, the funds can be leveraged for support of Downtown projects in the form of grants and reimbursement agreements. All projects receiving grants and reimbursement agreements from the DDA must demonstrate alignment with the goals and priorities of the Experience Downtown Plan. Grant funding decisions are made by the 11-member board of the DDA, which meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month.
To inquire about opportunities for your business, contact Susan Edmondson, or call 719-886-0088.
