Denver South outlines 2026 priorities, funding and projects for Centennial

Denver South delivered its 2026 annual update to the Centennial City Council on April 7, outlining regional priorities and the funding mechanisms used to support infrastructure and placemaking projects in the I‑25 South Corridor.

The presenter said Denver South sees itself at the nexus of the corridor business community, commercial real estate interests and its six member jurisdictions and described five external pillars guiding its work: fostering regional collaboration, enhancing transportation, attracting primary employers, crafting a magnetic regional brand and creating competitive advantages for businesses. The organization uses a Vision 2035 funding program managed through the Southeast Public Improvement Metro District (SPYMED) to match jurisdictional funds and draw additional state and federal dollars.

Why it matters: Denver South’s funding and coordination shape which transportation and placemaking projects move forward in Centennial and neighboring jurisdictions. Council members pressed presenters for details on funding shares, project governance and local implications for Midtown Centennial and other planned improvements.

Key facts and local impacts - Regional footprint: the presenter described the Denver South (I‑25 South) corridor as a concentrated economic center, citing roughly 47,000,000 square feet of office space, about 220,000 employees and 19,000 businesses in the area. The corridor covers parts of the City and County of Denver, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Lone Tree and portions of Arapahoe and Douglas counties. - Past and proposed Centennial funding: Denver South reported $6,400,000 in initial funding to support Centennial projects. Presenters also referenced a potential additional $2,500,000 request that would support the Havana and Easter interchange rebuild; that request would be considered by Denver South and SPYMED as part of the project funding process. - Funding structure: presenters said SPYMED supplies roughly 70–75% of Denver South’s funding and covers Vision 2035 match funding; the remaining operating funds come from member‑jurisdiction dues (about 25–30%). Projects then typically layer jurisdictional funds, SPYMED support and state or federal transportation dollars (distributed through regional entities such as DRCOG and CDOT). - Project review and approvals: presenters described a monthly technical committee made up of planners, public‑works directors and engineers that performs feasibility reviews. Projects that pass the technical feasibility test proceed to Denver South’s board and then to the SPYMED board for final approval, providing multiple advisory steps involving city staff and neighboring jurisdictions. - Transportation and placemaking programs: Denver South highlighted micromobility pilots (scooters and bikes), the SparkPark scooter‑parking pilot, a parking inventory/digitization effort, EcoPass employer programs and close coordination with RTD to support transit service. - Business attraction: presenters said the organization engaged nearly 11,000 companies last year, with about 220 continuing in active recruitment discussions; Denver South reported submitting 33 Centennial properties to prospective firms (most submissions are confidential). - Studies and grants: Denver South said it received a $25,000 grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development to study the viability of a semiconductor industry cluster; findings were expected to be reported in next year’s update. - Market conditions: in response to council questions, presenters estimated office vacancy in the corridor at roughly 20% (excluding sublease space) and noted industrial vacancy remains low.

Quotes from the meeting - "We’ve provided $28,000,000 in funding which has been leveraged to match $90,000,000 of jurisdictional funds, resulting in a cumulative total of $458,000,000 from both federal and state funds into this 8‑mile corridor," the presenter said, summarizing past leverage achieved through corridor funding efforts. - On Centennial‑specific funds: "In terms of Arapahoe County and the City of Centennial specifically, we’ve provided $6,400,000 in initial funding for your projects," the presenter said. - On the technical review process, Daniel Hutton said the monthly committee "runs projects through a technical feasibility process" before they go to the board for advisory oversight.

What council members asked and next steps Council members sought clarity on funding shares, how Midtown Centennial’s land‑use and placemaking priorities are incorporated into submittals, and how Denver South and city staff communicate updates on site submittals and incentive tools. Denver South said staff are in near‑daily contact with Centennial staff and that funding applications are driven by the city, reviewed by Denver South committees, and ultimately approved by SPYMED’s board.

The presentation concluded with council members thanking Denver South for the briefing. No formal action or vote on funding requests occurred at the study session; any future funding for specific Centennial projects would follow the application and review steps described by presenters.

Ending Denver South left the council with an offer to provide more detailed project‑level numbers upon request and with an invitation to upcoming events; council members thanked the presenters and indicated follow‑up conversations with staff would continue.