New equestrian center, hotel project at National Western Center wins approval from Denver council

The latest $400 million expansion project at the National Western Center will proceed after the Denver City Council on Monday approved a deal to bring an equestrian center and hotel to the site.

The 9-4 vote came after weeks of delays over the proposal as some advocates in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood objected to the deal, which is expected to cost about $800 million when financing is factored in.

“I believe there is a win, and a win for everyone in (the community),” said Councilman Darrell Watson, who represents the neighborhood and voted in favor.

He said he will continue to work on gathering more money for the community from the project. Community advocates have said the city and its partners should agree to an additional $16 million lump sum for the community investment fund, beyond an estimated $22 million they’ve already committed to contribute over the next 35 years.

At the council’s May 19 meeting, seven council members voted to postpone the decision for two weeks to allow community advocates to further analyze the agreement and try to negotiate for additional investment. But representatives of the National Western Center Authority, which operates the campus and its new buildings, said during the meeting that their existing agreement was unlikely to change in the meantime.

The community advocates and the authority didn’t reach any new agreements during that period.

During the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, several Elyria-Swansea residents spoke about the vote, some in support and some opposed. Those in favor of the expansion said they believed it would make their neighborhood feel safer and bring jobs to the area. Other speakers urged the council to vote against the project so that advocates could negotiate for more community benefits.

Four council members who previously voted for the postponement were in support of the project Monday night.

Council members Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Sarah Parady, Jamie Torres and Shontel Lewis voted no on the project deal.

Mayor Mike Johnston celebrated the decision in a news release after the vote.

“There is no more cherished tradition in Denver than the Stock Show,” he said. “Today, we are further committing to carrying that feeling throughout the rest of the year with events, entertainment, and a renewed dedication to putting people to work and improving the lives of neighbors through sustained — and lasting — trust and partnership.”

The project plan includes an equestrian center, a stable, a hotel, workforce housing and parking. The expansion of the National Western Center has been underway since 2019, with plans going back more than a decade.