Brandon Grama, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), gave a 30‑minute briefing to City Council on Sept. 15 outlining the DDA’s and Business Improvement District’s (BID) missions, boundaries and recent work to foster downtown investment and activation.

Grama explained the BID focuses on marketing and special events in the Central Business District and derives revenue through a property assessment on commercial parcels plus sponsorships and vendor fees. He said the DDA’s statutory authority (C.R.S. 31‑25‑801, cited in the briefing) enables tax‑increment financing (TIF) dollars to be used for capital projects and public improvements inside the DDA boundary.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the DDA/BID partnership has been a key funding and delivery mechanism for projects that the city could not have completed alone, including the convention center renovation, riverfront activation and housing projects supported by DDA participation.

Details from the presentation: Grama described the DDA’s funding model: a combination of property tax increment (the ‘increment’ above a base year) and an operating mill levy; he noted Senate Bill 23‑175 extended the permissible TIF renewal periods for Colorado DDAs. He said that historically the city and the school district have pledged 100% of their incremental property tax to the DDA in past cycles and that the state reimburses school districts through backfill when school taxes are pledged. Grama also summarized facade and restaurant conversion grants, recent downtown housing projects and a $17 million state contribution toward a downtown “terminal” project.

Council questions focused on governance, the DDA/BID board composition (board seats are limited by statute to owners/operators inside the district), the mechanics of assessments and grants, and examples of how the DDA used its financing tools to enable projects. Randy (DDA/finance lead) explained how the city issued debt for the convention center and repaid the amount through the DDA’s TIF arrangements; council members said they appreciated the explanation of how the city and DDA can combine capital tools to move projects forward.

Next steps and context: Grama said the DDA board recently authorized funding for training programs and continues to administer grant programs to reduce vacancies and activate storefronts. Council and staff treated the presentation as an informational update; no formal council action was taken.