Denver Water quietly began the process of acquiring more than 20 properties near its campus this spring, just as the utility and the Broncos were discussing a potential deal to use some of its current land to build a new stadium.
Denver Water’s board authorized the acquisition plans — for 23 properties spanning roughly 18 acres that are a stone’s throw from its complex south of downtown — in April and May. Its members didn’t publicly discuss the items before voting.
The Broncos are considering the state-owned Burnham Yard and the surrounding area among potential options in metro Denver for a new stadium to replace Empower Field at Mile High as the expiration of the team’s lease approaches in early 2031. Denver Water owns 36 acres that’s partially adjacent to the old rail yard and would likely have to move much of its operations to another location if the team chooses that site and reaches a deal with the utility.
Travis Thompson, a spokesperson for the water utility, didn’t directly respond when asked by The Denver Post this week if the properties are related to the Broncos stadium negotiations in Burnham Yard.
“At this time, Denver Water is just exploring some voluntary acquisitions of properties near our operations complex to meet future operational needs. There are no set plans, as we are only evaluating potential options for the future,” he wrote in an email.
The wider stadium talks involve more than the Broncos and Denver Water — Gov. Jared Polis’ and Mayor Mike Johnston’s administrations have also taken part in the discussions about the team’s next stadium site if the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group opts to move. Broncos representatives have also had conversations with officials in Lone Tree and Aurora about possible stadium sites in those cities, The Post has reported in recent months.
The water utility has spent nearly $200 million on its campus, including on a new modern headquarters building that opened on the north end of the property in 2019.
The board approved two resolutions, on April 9 and May 14, allowing Denver Water to “send notices of intent to acquire Property Interests and negotiate to acquire Property Interests.” The documents provide little indication of the intended use of any acquired properties but include this identical statement in each resolution: “The Board requires the acquisition of additional property in the vicinity of the Administration Complex for the ongoing and future operation, maintenance and repair of its water works system and facilities (the Project).”
The resolutions, both included in lists of agenda items that were passed together without discussion, didn’t include the addresses of the properties. The utility provided the specific addresses for properties being sought only after a reporter asked for them.
All of the sites are within a half-mile of the Denver Water campus. They are between Interstate 25 and Shoshone Street and span from 14th Avenue south to 12th Avenue. They are all either commercial properties or vacant land.
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Denver Water’s administrative office building is southeast of the targeted parcels, along 12th Avenue. Its current operations complex extends about four blocks to the south, with the southern-most part abutting the banana-shaped, 58-acre Burnham Yard at its widest point.
None of Denver Water’s five board members responded to requests for comment Wednesday. The water utility was created under the Denver charter but operates as an independent agency, with its board members appointed to staggered terms by the mayor.
Denver City Councilwoman Jamie Torres, who represents that part of the city, said she was unaware of Denver Water’s plan for the land acquisitions but said one of the property owners had contacted her after receiving a notice.
The Post and BusinessDen reported last week that Denver Water and the Broncos have been engaged in discussions for more than a year about the water utility’s campus. BusinessDen also reported this month that the team is connected to a group of limited liability corporations that have recently purchased at least 13 parcels in areas directly adjacent to Burnham Yard and the Denver Water campus.
Denver Water has acknowledged it’s in talks with the team but has not said whether all or part of its campus would be affected.
“It is premature to draw any firm conclusions,” Denver Water spokesman Jimmy Luthye said in a statement to The Post last week. “In these discussions, we’ve tried to make sure they fully understand any potential implications for Denver Water facilities and operations.”
Since then, Denver Water CEO Alan Salazar has told The Post’s editorial board: “We recognize the impact this development could have to the largest community we serve. Creative minds can think about ways that this could work. We’re trying to get there.”
Denver Water’s board would still have to approve any deals for the land it’s seeking. The board would also have the final say on the approval of any sale of its own land, Thompson said.
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