{"id":2296716,"date":"2026-02-24T02:25:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T02:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2296716"},"modified":"2026-02-24T02:25:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T02:25:53","slug":"special-election-could-delay-large-greeley-entertainment-district-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/special-election-could-delay-large-greeley-entertainment-district-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Special election could delay large Greeley entertainment district development"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Voters in Greeley will decide Tuesday whether to repeal already-approved zoning for a massive entertainment district and housing development on the city\u2019s western edge.<\/p>\n

The proposed development spans 834 acres off U.S. Highway 34 and it includes the Catalyst entertainment district, featuring a new hockey arena for the Colorado Eagles, a Mattel-themed water park and hotel targeted for completion by 2028.<\/p>\n

It also includes the Cascadia development, which is expected add more than 11,000 housing units.<\/p>\n

A special election\u00a0<\/a>will determine the fate of Ballot Issue 1A. A \u201cyes\u201d vote would repeal the city-approved zoning and delay the project by about a year. A \u201cno\u201d vote would allow the development to move forward as planned.<\/p>\n

Work has already begun, according to Bill Rigler, spokesman for the \u201cNo on 1A\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor about the last six weeks, we\u2019ve had 300 workers on site,\u201d Rigler said. The proposal has generated extensive debate in the community. The group “Greeley Demands Better” gathered enough petition signatures to trigger the special election.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really is a David and Goliath story with us as a community saying we deserve a voice in how we\u2019re going to grow as a community,\u201d said Rhonda Solis, co-chair of Greeley Demands Better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe financing is the biggest concern,\u201d she said, adding that the scale of the project raises questions. \u201cA $1.1 billion project is too much to put on as residents when we see other people are going to benefit more from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supporters of the project dispute the characterization that taxpayers would shoulder the burden. Rigler said the development would be largely privately funded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis development is going to be more than 95% financed by private development, not taxpayers,\u201d he said. He added that voting no in the special election means supporting the project. \u201cNo delay to the project, no delay to jobs, and no delay to the new entertainment options that Greeley will have.”<\/p>\n

The debate has divided some downtown business owners. Kimberly Ponce, owner of Kimberly\u2019s Event Center, said she believes the city needs more attractions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we bring family from out of town it\u2019s sad that I feel that sometimes we have to take them out of town,\u201d Ponce said.<\/p>\n

Others question whether the location on the western edge of the city will actually benefit downtown Greeley. One opponent said that because of the project’s proximity to neighboring communities, visitors may spend their money elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to an event out there, you\u2019re probably going to go to Johnstown, Windsor or one of those areas,\u201d said Solis.<\/p>\n

Beyond questions about business impact, residents weighed whether the development would become a significant revenue generator or a financial liability.<\/p>\n

Greeley is growing, and the outcome of Tuesday\u2019s vote could shape how that growth unfolds.<\/p>\n

Voters may return their ballots at one of four drop box locations in town. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday. According to the city of Greeley’s website, drop-off locations include:<\/a><\/p>\n