Commerce City task force urges 'place, price, process' fixes to help small firms

A yearlong effort by Commerce City’s Small Business Development Task Force culminated in recommendations to expand small retail space, reduce cost barriers and simplify permitting, task force members told the City Council at a study session.

The task force, convened in October 2024 and led by local owners and economic‑development staff, framed its findings around three obstacles it called “place, price and process.” Task force member Spencer Kelpie said those three issues explain why some entrepreneurs choose nearby cities instead of Commerce City.

“Place, price, and process,” Kelpie said, summarizing the barriers. The group recommended targeted mixed‑use or ‘hypergrowth’ commercial zoning near residential areas; developer incentives such as construction loans, tax rebates or land donations to create more small retail spaces; and landlord incentives—potentially rent stabilization pilots or cooperative‑leasing models—to keep rents accessible.

For existing businesses the task force urged a resource‑navigation program and a small‑business ambassador network. The program would use volunteer business owners as liaisons to connect Spanish‑speaking and underbanked businesses with organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, Colorado Enterprise Fund and local utility partner programs.

Liliana Soto, a task force member, said the meetups and outreach “opened up a lot of how we do this” and that many owners were unaware of available resources. Arlene Castro, who built a small commercial property after experiencing steep rent increases, described the financing risks and urged incentives for landowners willing to offer capped leases.

Council members welcomed the recommendations but pressed staff for specifics. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Noble asked why some entrepreneurs went to Brighton or other nearby areas; Kelpie pointed to limited suitable sites and higher effective lease rates in Commerce City. Council member Ford said one central problem is trust: small business owners must be able to rely on clear timelines, predictable inspections and coordinated action among departments and outside agencies.

Staff noted parts of the task force agenda already align with the city’s recently adopted economic development incentive policy, including a shopping‑center incentive meant to increase small retail inventory. City staff agreed to provide a written report compiling the task force’s findings, individual stories and suggested next steps for council review.

The council invited task force members to participate in an ambassador pilot and posed follow‑up items including signage rules, a landlord outreach plan and options to streamline permit timelines. The group posed for a photo with council to support a Small Business Saturday proclamation and to promote outreach materials.

Next procedural steps: staff will produce a written report and return with implementation options and suggested performance measures for the ambassador program and any incentive proposals.