Woodland Park DDA delays decision on $400,000 grant appeal for CDOT improvements

The Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority on an unspecified recent date agreed to delay a decision on an appeal for grant money — an up-to-$400,000 request — that would contribute to CDOT-required roadway and infrastructure work for the Tava project.

The delay came after project representatives told the DDA the full CDOT scope remains under estimate and that the group wanted more time to gather information. Mark, a project representative, said the total CDOT-related construction is not yet bid but “it’ll be $5.0 to $5.5 [million] is what we think,” and confirmed the DDA’s ask was “up to $400,000.”

The pause matters because the CDOT improvements are part of the developer’s broader timeline. Board chair Born told the meeting it is “imperative that we stay on a timely timeline” and emphasized he did not want the board to hold up construction. Board members and staff said they will proceed as if no outside funding is guaranteed so the project can keep moving.

In discussion, board members and staff described Tax Increment Financing as an alternative funding route if the grant appeal is not approved. Aaron, a city staff member, explained the practical difference: grant funds come up front, while TIF revenues are collected and paid later from property tax increments. Aaron also warned that using TIF would require an application and that the DDA must consider its DDA sunset date when evaluating whether tax-increment revenues could cover a potential reimbursement schedule.

Board members asked for clarification about timing and cost. One board member noted the $400,000 request is “significantly lower” than the project’s expected total and that the DDA’s contribution represents a local financial partnership. Mark said he would rather have asked for more in hindsight, given new cost information and CDOT requirements he said the developer cannot always control.

The board did not take a formal roll-call vote on granting funds at this meeting. The practical direction from the meeting was to allow roughly one more month for the applicant and staff to gather additional legal and cost information before any final DDA action. The board chair and project representatives repeatedly emphasized they will continue construction work while the funding question remains unresolved.

Board members also discussed timeline constraints tied to CDOT and to internal DDA deadlines; one member noted the DDA sunset in 2031 or 2032 could affect TIF funding availability.

The DDA previously approved minutes for its May 13 meeting at the same session; those minutes were accepted after members confirmed there had been no audio recording of that prior meeting and staff reconstructed the minutes from memory and notes.

No formal grant award was made at the meeting. The DDA recorded the request, the applicant’s cost estimate and the board’s direction to revisit the matter after additional information is collected.