Littleton economic development director outlines 2026 priorities, launches arts-and-culture impact study and hotel feasibility effort

Rachel King, the City of Littletoneconomic development director, told the Arts and Culture Board on Jan. 8 that the city is focusing 2026 economic-development work on directing growth strategically while protecting Littletoncharacter. King said the department has kicked off an arts-and-culture economic impact study and expects a report to be delivered to council in May, and that a separate hotel feasibility study would provide data to prospective developers.

The nut of Kingpresentation was that city leaders want the arts and culture strategic plan to translate into concrete policy priorities and targeted investments. King said the city has contracted BBC Research & Consulting to perform the impact study and asked the board to help identify stakeholders for engagement. "Littleton is growing rapidly," King said, arguing that the study should inform which policies and investments will produce the greatest return for both culture and tax revenue.

King described several 2026 programs and initiatives that intersect with arts and culture. The city will participate in a Colorado Enterprise Fund community loan pool to help small businesses access gap financing, continue revitalization incentive grants for façade improvements and expand the Open Rewards marketing program. King said the city increased its Open Rewards investment to $150,000 this year. She also announced a new event, Illuminate Littleton, scheduled for July 24 that will include a drone show, live music, food and an art festival; she said the city will not run the criterium this year and that decision was made at the department/administrative level, with a private organizer possibly taking it up.

On hotels, King said the feasibility study will examine market area, visitor profile, existing supply, competitive positioning and public-benefit scenarios (including potential incentives and equity considerations) so developers can better assess whether a Littleton project would be viable. She told the board the study still faces a modest funding gap: staff said the city is "about $10,000 short" of the study budget for 2026 but expected to confirm funding in March. King also noted broader industry trends such as reduced travel demand and changes in short-term rentals that affect local lodging markets.

Board members asked about how event decisions are made; King said staff use event data (attendance, expense reports, business feedback) and convene with communications and city leadership to prioritize events, especially when internal resources are constrained. King identified Jessica Biximan as the city's communications and marketing director who helped prioritize events this year and Aiden Lawton as the program lead for a sustainable business partnership used to help local businesses reduce operating costs through low-entry sustainability upgrades.

What happens next: the BBC study is expected to be substantially complete in April with a council briefing in May; staff planned to confirm hotel study funding by March. The department invited the Arts and Culture Board to help shape stakeholder outreach for the impact study and to weigh in on downtown and Littleton Boulevard development as projects progress.