The vote later this month on Greeley’s ballot question 1A has emerged as a deeply polarizing issue, sparking a contentious debate reaching far beyond the project’s footprint in west Greeley.
The $832 million project Catalyst and Cascadia project has had a direct impact on the downtown Greeley business community, creating a reticence among some owners to discuss their views because of a fear of alienating a base of customers with an opposing opinion.
What Greeley voters should know about Ballot Question 1A
So why has a project that says it will provide entertainment and high-level professional hockey while injecting almost $500 million of tax revenue over three decades into Greeley turned into a source of controversy and sensitivity?
And why has the vitriol stretched into downtown, which is about 15 miles from the project site at U.S. 34 and Weld County Road 17?
Some Greeley business owners declined to share their feelings on the project for fear of repercussions from customers.
Greeley coffee shop owner Bob Hutson said any hesitancy to speak on Catalyst-Cascadia and the divisive environment surrounding the project is a piece of what’s happening nationally.
The group behind the project says Cascadia is not taxpayer funded; it’s overwhelmingly privately financed. The opposition group says it’s skeptical, saying the city of Greeley will be on the hook if tax revenue doesn’t come in as promised.
“I think people are standoffish on how they speak their opinions,” said Hutson, who owns Aunt Helen’s Coffee House & Cafe with his wife, Aimee. “I think people are trying not to create more confrontation than they have to. They’re going to let their vote do the talking. None of us know what is right or wrong.”
The Greeley Downtown Development Authority declined an interview with the Tribune because it did not want to be drawn into advocacy for the project, according to executive director Bianca Fisher.
Fisher said there are mixed feelings downtown on Catalyst-Cascadia, and the DDA is not taking a position because it is not directly involved. UNC President Andy Feinstein, chair of the DDA board, also declined comment and deferred to the organization.
The DDA has a role in Greeley to create a vibrant community that celebrates the unique culture and spirit of the downtown, according to its website. Fisher issued a statement, saying the DDA knows there are concerns about the impact of the project on downtown, but there are unknowns.
“Our hope is that Greeley is large and dynamic enough to support both a thriving downtown and a new Entertainment District in West Greeley, and that these destinations can ultimately complement rather than compete with one another by attracting different audiences and experiences,” Fisher wrote.
Another Greeley business owner said the bigger “elephant in the room” for downtown relating to the project is the fragility of owning a small business. Business owners can’t risk upsetting customers and losing any business when margins are so tight. Just look at the number of small businesses closing this year, said Margaret Thompson, owner of Margie’s Java Joint on 16th Street near the University of Northern Colorado.
“It’s difficult to do business as a small business owner,” Thompson said. “I'm wary of anything that makes even 1% less people come to our door. I think it’s kind of a publicly known fact that it’s been a hard few years for small businesses, and we’re wary of alienating customers.”
After an earlier group that tried to slow the project posted statements criticizing the project supporters who blocked the group's attempt at a ballot measure, Martin Lind filed a defamation lawsuit against the co-chairs of that group. A judge dismissed the lawsuit Monday.
Weld judge dismisses defamation lawsuit against Cascadia opposition
There’s been finger pointing, social media accusations and a high level of confusion over the meaning and the language in the ballot itself.
Greeley Forward is in favor of the project and wants "no" votes on 1A.
The opposition is Greeley Demands Better, a citizen-backed group that led the charge for the Feb. 24 special election designed to slow the momentum of the project. Greeley Demands Better wants "yes" votes.
“I feel like both parties are using downtown as a propaganda piece to see their sides,” said Matt Estrin, owner of two downtown businesses. “I'm not sure that downtown is as impacted as both sides claim. It’s a hot topic for both sides, and both say it will be a major impact for downtown.”
Estrin owns 477 Distilling, 825 9th St., Unit B, and Oak and Maple Whiskey & Waffle Co., 1640 8th Ave. He said Greeley Forward says in its campaigning that a no vote helps downtown.
Greeley Forward spokesman Bill Rigler and other proponents this week said visitors will go downtown to stay in hotels, see the downtown area and eat in restaurants. A mobility hub at the Catalyst and Cascadia site as part of the project will help visitors to get to downtown.
Matty Lydon, right, takes Cathy Konzal's order at 477 Distilling in Greeley on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)Estrin said he’s read social media comments from Greeley Demands Better backers discussing potential negative impacts for downtown if Catalyst and Cascadia is built.
Rigler said later in the week Greeley Forward planned to engage with downtown business on its position. The group announced a virtual town hall for 2 p.m. Sunday.
Greeley Demands Better co-chair Brandon Wark said he has not talked with downtown businesses about the yes side. He said he was unaware if other members of the committee have had those conversations. A "Vote Yes On 1A" sign is pictured in Greeley on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)Wark said a concern for Greeley Demands Better is the city's ownership of the hotel as the Catalyst project is laid out. Wark said this is a problem because the hotel will compete with and be marketed against privately owned hotels in the area, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Greeley at Lincoln Park in downtown. Greeley Forward’s Tom Donkle said there will be agreements in place with multiple hotels in the area for events at Catalyst, and this includes downtown hotels.
Both Donkle and Wark, and the most vocal supporters of their campaigns, have been the subject of social media attacks and mudslinging for their work on 1A.
A "Vote No On 1A" sign is pictured in Greeley on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)“I’m not sure either side has really stated how Catalyst and Cascadia positively or negatively impacts downtown,” Estrin added. “It seems that both sides like to use downtown as a talking point to convince readers to vote their way.”
Estrin said he sees several potential impacts to downtown with the project.
One impact is the confusion with the wording of the ballot question. It’s not an up-and-down vote, with "yes" in favor and "no" opposed. The vote is about zoning and how the land is used.
Estrin said if the yes side wins on 1A, a concern for him would be the planned Downtown Civic Campus and future projects coming up for a vote on zoning.
“I’m not saying it will 100% happen, but the concern is that other projects like the Downtown Civic Campus project could be susceptible as well,” said Estrin, who is involved with the Downtown Development Authority and the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce. “From the circles I run in, that’s what I hear.”
Estrin said there are also concerns Catalyst-Cascadia will make it harder for downtown businesses because of the distance from the site to downtown. He said “without question” as a business owner, it’s a challenge to draw customers east to do business in Greeley.
“Catalyst would be such a significant draw on the west, it would further hurt those from the west side coming downtown,” Estrin added.
He said disagrees with the "no" campaign that Catalyst-Cascadia will grow the city and more residents and jobs and visitors would then trickle into downtown to spend money.
“To me, that is the furthest from the possibility,” Estrin said. “Just because the population density is there doesn’t mean the growth spends money in Greeley. It might go to Windsor, Centerra or Loveland. Adding population to the west doesn’t guarantee downtown Greeley gets more people and more revenue.”
Customers dine at The Cow Saloon & Eatery during the 2025 Taste of Downtown in Greeley. (Greeley Tribune file).For this reason, the Downtown Civic Campus is the project “that really matters to people downtown,” Estrin said.
Downtown restaurant owner Ron Redfern said he supports Catalyst-Cascadia because of the potential tax revenue that could flow into Greeley.
“I love it,” Redfern said. “I believe in the people we elect that they will make good decisions to help Greeley grow.”
Redfern and his wife have owned The Cow Saloon & Eatery, 800 9th St., for almost four years. Redfern said there is a fear surrounding the project, and it's "terrifying" for business owners to consider taking a position if it means losing customers."I hate it that if what I believe is good for Greeley would cause people not to come downtown and eat at my restaurant," Redfern said. "I understand the fear in the downtown, because, frankly, we have the same fear. If you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing."
Redfern is a strong supporter of downtown Greeley, saying the area has a lot to offer. Redfern said he believes Greeley loses revenue to other places on the Front Range, such as Fort Collins and Windsor. Catalyst and Cascadia is a chance for Greeley to draw visitors and reap the benefits, Redfern said.
“I believe this is good for all of Greeley,” he said. “It won’t benefit me out of the chute, but long term, the taxes help everyone in Greeley.” Aimee Hutson, co-owner of Aunt Helen’s Coffee House & Cafe in downtown, said the project is tough to discuss because it’s a volatile subject.
Hutson said she and Bob were indifferent about the project. She agreed with Estrin that the Downtown Civic Campus would have more impact on the coffee shop.
Hutson said Catalyst-Cascadia will impact downtown business at night, but she’s not sure of the effect. Hutson has a different concern for downtown.
“What holds up downtown walkability is a lack of housing,” Hutson said. “The development of downtown Greeley and what people want it to be is housing and not projects that Martin Lind is working on.” Aunt Helen's Coffee House and Cafe in downtown Greeley. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
Question 1A is about repealing zoning the city council approved for Cascadia and Catalyst to go forward. A yes vote reverts the development sites to its previous agriculture designation, which would delay construction at the site. A no vote preserves zoning, allowing the city's existing plans to move forward.
Greeley Forward was started to support the Catalyst-Cascadia development and oppose attempts to delay or stop the project. It’s backed by Windsor developer Martin Lind, who brought the project to the city of Greeley.
Lind is the head of the Windsor-based Water Valley Co., and the company stands to make about $25 million gross from the Catalyst component of the project as the lead developer, Greeley Forward’s Rigler said. Lind is the owner of the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles, a team that will relocate to the arena at Catalyst from its longtime home in Larimer County.
The almost $25 million comes out to 3% of the $832 million projected cost for Catalyst. It’s a one-time payout and contractual and negotiated agreement between Lind and the city of Greeley, Rigler said. He added the 3% is a low-profit figure for a developer on such a project.
Rigler said if there are cost overruns that increase the Catalyst costs, the $25 million will remain in place. The lead contractor would then be contractually obligated to pay the overruns out of pocket, Rigler added.
Rigler said Water Valley will not keep all of the $25 million because there will be costs for development, lawsuits, the election campaign, taxes and for fees to the city.
Ballots must be returned by mail or at one of four drop box locations by 7 p.m. Feb. 24.
Follow the Greeley Tribune’s ongoing coverage of the Cascadia development and stay up to date on all project milestones at greeleytribune.com/cascadia.
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