At a recent work session (Aug. 12), Greeley’s City Council, in particular the five members who have voted for all steps of the Cascadia project, openly discussed spending Certificates of Participation (COP) funds as quickly as possible, before the citizen petition can be certified and brought to the ballot. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, they pushed ahead with approving the General Improvement District ordinances to further fund development, knowing full well that this means in November, the people may be voting to halt the project and repeal the COP funding mechanism at the same time that it will be voted on to continue moving forward with other funding.
This is not the transparent, responsible governance Greeley deserves. It is a deliberate effort to outmaneuver residents and silence democracy.
Let’s be clear about what is at stake. Cascadia is being sold as a transformational $1.1 billion entertainment and commercial development. But the city is not relying on private investors to carry the risk, nor are they allowing Greeley residents to speak on whether we wish to shoulder this risk. Instead, it has mortgaged 46 public properties, including City Hall, police stations, and fire stations, all the way down to our bus stop benches, to secure $115 million in COP debt. They continue to call this “standard practice” despite the fact that COP’s are meant for essential projects and, generally, for repair and improvements to the collateralized property.
Not to mention, if, or more likely when, Cascadia underperforms, as similar large-scale projects across the country have, the taxpayers of Greeley will be left holding the bag.
That’s why residents took action. Over 8,200 residents signed a petition, nearly double the number required, to repeal Ordinance No. 15, 2025 and force the issue to a public vote. These signatures represent thousands of neighbors, parents, small business owners and seniors who believe Greeley should not gamble its essential public assets on speculative development without voter consent.
But instead of respecting this outpouring of civic engagement, we’ve seen coordinated attempts to block it. Both the registered agent of Greeley Forward and the first resident listed on the protest against the petition, are directly linked to Water Valley and Martin Lind, and also stand to benefit directly if Cascadia moves forward. In short: it would appear that big-money interests, with direct ties to the project, are working overtime to silence resident’s voices.
This is unacceptable. The right to petition exists to give citizens a check against government overreach.
Greeley deserves better. Growth should be about strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that essential services, police, fire, roads, etc. are properly funded. Cascadia, in its current form, diverts resources away from those priorities and places our city at financial risk for decades to come.
It doesn’t have to be this way. If City Council and Water Valley truly believe Cascadia is the future of Greeley, they should be willing to let the people decide. A public vote would provide legitimacy and trust.
To City Council: It is not too late to repair and build trust with the people of Greeley, through transparency and respect. Please don’t let this become a matter of ego. There is still time to change course, to hear your residents and right the ship. Stop spending money and allow our residents a chance to vote before you move forward. Show us that we are still a representative democracy and that you represent us. If the city votes to move forward, then by all means, move forward.
Tiffany Simmons is running for mayor of Greeley.
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