Greeley voters await results of a special election on a massive west side development, including a Colorado Eagles arena, water park, hotel and 11,000 housing units.
GREELEY, Colo. — Voters in Greeley wait on final results in a special election that could halt a massive entertainment district and housing development planned for the city’s west side.
Ballot Issue 1A asked voters whether to repeal already-approved zoning for the 834-acre project off U.S. Highway 34.
As of Tuesday night, more than 10,000 voters had cast ballots in favor of repealing the zoning — a move that would halt and delay the project. Roughly 8,600 voters opposed the repeal, signaling support for the development to move forward.
The race remains too close to call.
The proposal includes the Catalyst entertainment district, featuring a new hockey arena for the Colorado Eagles, along with a Mattel-themed water park and hotel targeted for completion by 2028.
Plans also call for the Cascadia development, which could add more than 11,000 housing units on Greeley’s western edge.
A “yes” vote on 1A would repeal the city-approved zoning and delay the project by about a year. A “no” vote would allow construction to continue as planned.
Work on the site has already begun, according to Bill Rigler, spokesperson for the “No on 1A” campaign, who previously said about 300 workers have been on site in recent weeks.
The proposal has sparked months of debate across the community. The grassroots group Greeley Demands Better gathered enough petition signatures to force the special election, arguing residents deserve more input on a project they say carries financial risks.
Opponents raised concerns about the project’s $1.1 billion price tag and whether taxpayers could ultimately shoulder costs. Supporters dispute that claim, saying the development would be more than 95% privately financed and would bring jobs, housing and new entertainment options to the city.
The debate has also divided local business owners, with some welcoming new attractions and others questioning whether the location near neighboring communities would draw spending away from downtown Greeley.
Final results will determine whether the project proceeds as planned or faces at least a year-long delay.
