Community Revitalization Initiative Supports 12 Mixed-Use Spaces Across the State, Growing Colorado’s Creative Economy

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DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 12 new recipients of the Community Revitalization Tax Credit (CRTC),  which funds capital investments that support the creative industries. The recipients announced today are located in communities across the state, including Boulder, Creede, Denver, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Silverton, Telluride, Trinidad and Walsenburg.

"In Colorado, we invest in our communities and our strong arts culture brings joy and entertainment to Coloradans and visitors. The arts help grow our thriving economy, contributing nearly $20 billion per year and supporting over 120,000 jobs. The investments announced today will improve Colorado's economy, strengthen  communities across the state, and create more hubs of art and culture," said Governor Polis.

The CRTC program supports creative sector capital projects such as studio, performance, and arts education spaces that incorporate features like housing, childcare, retail, or other community spaces. Through the program, eligible applicants can receive tax credits of up to $3 million to cover up to 25% of eligible expenses. Collectively, these CRTC recipients are projected to support the development of community gathering spaces, multigenerational educational spaces, and 104 affordable housing units.

"We are thrilled to support this year's Community Revitalization Tax Credit recipients who are elevating the role of the arts and creative industries in communities across the state. By developing new housing and vital community hubs, these projects advance our placemaking efforts and contribute to a Colorado economy that works for everyone," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

The CRTC initiative was established by HB24-1295 to build on the success of the Community Revitalization Grant , which provided approximately $98 million to 59 projects across Colorado and is supporting the creation of over 598 housing units, including over 500 workforce, affordable and low-income housing units. Of these projects, approximately 58% are located in rural communities, 85% include renewable energy or clean energy features, 49% are located in a Creative District, and 84% are located in an Enterprise Zone or Enhanced Rural Enterprise Zone.

"The CRTC program fuels more jobs, attainable housing and community amenities across Colorado. Performance venues, exhibition sites and creative third spaces are critical for people of all ages to connect and create and are essential to thriving communities and the artists who inspire them," said CCI Director Josh Blanchard. "We applaud this year's recipients for strengthening Colorado's economy and expanding access to the arts for all Coloradans."

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The recipients announced today include:

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art - Boulder - $1.5 million

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) plans to build a new museum that will include four exhibition spaces, two classrooms, an event space for education and community gathering, a cafe, and spaces for a shop, lobby, offices. The new BMoCA will offer expanded exhibitions, multigenerational education programs, and inclusive community initiatives.

Colorado Chautauqua Association - Boulder - $850,000

The Auditorium will operate as a flexible, four-season gathering place for the community, supporting performances, lectures, meetings, educational programs, cultural events, and special celebrations. By creating a comfortable indoor environment year-round, the project removes longstanding seasonal barriers and enables up to 200 additional days of programming each year during the winter months.

Colorado Public Radio - Denver - $1.5 million

This Colorado Public Radio's (CPR) site will be a new statewide downtown headquarters, which will provide the public with access to candidate forums, podcast tapings, live interviews and musical performances. Additional features include a cafe, conference rooms, and space available for use by community organizations and nonprofits, expanding access to professional and creative spaces and amplifying voices across Colorado.

Creede Center for the Arts - Creede - $795,000

This project will transform Creede High School's former log building into a multi-use arts hub, which will feature a watercolor museum, a new exhibition mezzanine, and an education wing with dedicated classrooms for painting, children's art, and digital media. The facility will also include a research center and an artist-in-residence apartment. The center will serve as a community gathering space, hosting year-round workshops, youth programming, and cultural events.

Downtown Revival Partners, LLC (Colorado Building) - Pueblo - $1.5 million

The Colorado Building in Pueblo is an adaptive reuse project designed as a community-focused creative hub. It includes a theater, rehearsal space, ground-floor retail, a cafe, and 96 housing units. With additional coworking areas, creative studios, and a public rooftop, the building will serve as a center for housing, arts, and community events.

GJ Union Depot - Grand Junction - $624,000

The GJ Union Depot will integrate transportation, hospitality, cultural programming, retail, and a community gathering space within a restored historic structure. The project will include an Amtrak ticketing and waiting area, a restaurant and a locally focused retail marketplace. Approximately half of the main hall will remain open for community use without requiring a purchase. A dedicated meeting and exhibition space will be offered at no-cost to nonprofit organizations and will host rotating exhibits in partnership with Friends of GJ Union Depot. Cultural programming including workshops, classes, live music, and community events will be integrated throughout the building to ensure continuous activation and public engagement.

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Honey Rock LLC - Old Livery Silverton - Silverton - $945,000

By converting a historic structure into a mixed-use community hub and downtown landmark, this initiative will create six housing units and three hotel rooms to support the year-round tourism sector. The Livery will also include a curated ground floor boutique and cafe with gallery and pop-up spaces highlighting local artisans. A rooftop deck will also serve as a venue for live music, outdoor sculptures, and nonprofit and community events.

Keely Williams Properties 2020 (Jaffa Opera House) - Trinidad - $448,000

The Jaffa Opera House Foundation will restore the Jaffa Opera House, which has been vacant for 15 years, preserving a historic space in Trinidad. The project addresses critical needs to the building, including roof, drainage, and masonry repairs, while rehabilitating the grand staircase and central retail bay. In addition, street-facing space will host rotating exhibitions, events, and public programming.

Museum of Friends - Walsenburg - $351,534

A new community room at the Museum of Friends will be used to host classes, meetings, receptions, and retreats. A renovated artist's residence will provide a live/work space, while the basement will be transformed into a community incubator, fostering collaboration, entrepreneurship, and creative growth.

Rainbow Dome - Denver - $686,000

Improvements to the Rainbow Dome will transform the site into a vibrant, LGBTQ+ focused space focused on fostering a positive community venue that is alcohol-free. The lower level will feature a multi-purpose space with a roller skating rink, stage, and audiovisual (AV) equipment, suitable for live music, performances, film screenings, and art installations. The first floor will provide dedicated storage and flexible office/retail space for future creative tenants.

Su Teatro - Denver - $150,000

Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center will upgrade key systems and improve accessibility, functionality, and user experience, strengthening the facility's role as a cultural hub. Today, the center includes a 250-seat theater, a 100-seat black-box, and flexible rehearsal, classroom, and community gathering spaces, which supports performances, youth programs, and community events.

Telluride Film Festival - Telluride - $1.5 million

The Telluride Film Festival will restore the Nugget, a movie theater in Telluride, Colorado, which will feature new, state-of-the-art sound and projection, providing a venue for first-run films and community use. The project will also include two workforce housing units. Additionally, an artist-in-residence program will offer mentorship and housing for visiting filmmakers, while a rooftop education pavilion will host year-round public events and programs.

About Colorado Creative Industries

Colorado's Creative Industries Division, Colorado's state arts agency, is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado's economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life. oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.

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