Amazon proposes 55,000 sq ft last-mile delivery station near Buena Vista; company plans local hiring and to pay full land costs

Amazon representatives presented a preliminary plan for a built‑to‑suit last‑mile delivery station on Oct. 14, telling the Board of Trustees the project would occupy roughly 10 acres of a larger property in unincorporated Chaffee County adjacent to Buena Vista and feature a roughly 50,000–55,000 square‑foot building with loading docks, van parking and employee parking.

Sam Bailey, who leads Amazon’s economic development efforts in Colorado, said the site would be designed as a “last‑mile delivery station” (not a large fulfillment center) to receive line‑haul trucks from regional sortation centers and dispatch local delivery vans. Bailey said the company’s initial staffing expectation is about 25 employees with potential to scale to 40–60 full‑time and part‑time positions and noted benefits packages and training programs Amazon offers, including health care and a 401(k) match starting day one and a workforce-development “Career Choice” program after 90 days.

Amazon representatives said they are not seeking public economic-development incentives for the project and that the company expects to purchase the 10‑acre parcel from the current owner. They described a planned operation of 15–20 delivery vans and a fleet that would be dispatched in staggered waves starting about 9 a.m.; line‑haul trucks would arrive earlier in the day (Amazon said between about 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.). The company told trustees it plans employee, line‑haul and delivery entrances to be physically separated on site to enhance safety.

Trustees and staff asked about local impacts and regulatory steps. Questions focused on traffic movements (the company said it would try to deconflict heavy trucks from town traffic and avoid routing on Highway 24 through the center of Buena Vista), the railroad crossing and the permitting/annexation trajectory. Town staff said discussions with Union Pacific and the Public Utilities Commission about the rail crossing have been initiated. Amazon said it would host a community meeting Oct. 21 from 4–7 p.m. to answer questions.

What’s next: Amazon will pursue county subdivision of the larger parcel, then seek annexation and rezoning to light industrial with the town if the company proceeds. The company requested informal early engagement and did not ask the trustees for approvals at the Oct. 14 meeting; trustees were advised to avoid attending the company’s community meeting to preserve impartiality in any future quasi‑judicial processes.

Ending: Amazon representatives said they expect to hire locally; trustees flagged traffic impacts, rail-crossing approvals and potential environmental or air‑quality monitoring as items they expect to review in the formal permitting and annexation process.