Though the construction of two high-traffic interchanges as soon as 2029 is likely to be the most visible result of Greeley voters passing two ballot issues this month, the measures’ impact will reach well beyond the U.S. 34 intersections at 35th and 47th avenues.
Parks, museums and public facilities such as the Greeley Recreation Center, the Active Adult Center, the Ice Haus and the Family FunPlex will be sustained and improved because of voter approval this month of ballot issues 2L and 2M, city officials said this week.
The city advanced the ballot issues to brace for the anticipated population growth in the area, and advocates picked up the cause with a public campaign led by The Citizens for Driving Greeley.
Construction of the interchanges is a significant component of the larger transportation effort known as the MERGE Project, or Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth & Equity.
The total estimated cost of the MERGE Project is $131.2 million, according to online city documents from May. The combined cost of the interchanges is projected to be about $84.7 million, with $46.9 million for work at 35th Avenue and $37.8 million for 47th Avenue.
“You’ll see a lot of work in 2026, 2027 and 2028,” said Greeley Public Works Director Paul Trombino.
Greeley’s population was about 61,000 when the food tax was first approved in 1990. The population increased to 112,000 in 2023, according to U.S. Census data. City projections estimate a population of more than 135,000 residents by 2032 and more than 200,000 about 20 years later.
Greeley voters approved the two connected issues by a wide margin — allowing for transportation and capital project improvements focused on streets, parks and recreation facilities and public buildings. Issue 2L passed with 63% of the vote, while 2M went through with almost 67%.
“I think the margin was surprising,” Greeley Mayor John Gates said. “We’re in a tax-adverse society, and I understand 2L is a continuation of a tax. They (voters) had the opportunity to say ‘no more,’ and they didn’t do that. Roads are improving, parks are second to none and recreation programs are the same. I think it’s some validation.”
The 2M issue asked voters to approve the city taking on $65 million of debt for a total repayment of $110 million to fund transportation projects — including the interchanges and creation of a mobility hub to expand Greeley bus service to Centerra, Denver and Denver International Airport.
The $65 million will be borrowed through a low-interest, 2% federally financed loan. The city plans to repay the debt by 2035 with money from the continued food tax under ballot issue 2L.
The food tax has been approved by voters every five years since it was introduced. The vote this year allows the city to extend the 3% tax on food indefinitely, eliminating the sunset clause for the financing or refinancing of the city capital improvement projects.
“With the new version without a sunset, it allows for longer term planning,” said Culture, Parks and Recreation Director Diana Frick. “We could plan five years out, but not past that. It (five years) does sound like a long time until you think about four museums, an adult center, the Rodarte Center, two recreation complexes, 40 parks and all need repair and maintenance.”
Eligible city residents may apply for a food tax rebate. This year, the rebate was $100 reimbursement per person for taxes paid on food purchases made in 2023.
The city’s financial expenditures under the approved ballot issues will be reviewed by a citizens committee. The committees will be appointed by the Greeley City Council, and the council will also set criteria for the appointments.
“The city does a great job to make sure they get people of all thoughts and all processes to oversee this,” said Julie Jensen, a longtime Greeley resident and co-chair of the Citizens for Driving Greeley Committee. “So that, again, the money is going to continued to be spent how it’s said it’s going to be spent.”
City Clerk Heidi Leatherwood said the appointment of the committees will either be facilitated by a resolution or a motion at an upcoming meeting. Council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers in Greeley City Center, 1001 11th Ave.
Leatherwood recommended following the council agendas on the city’s online meeting portal, greeleyco.portal.civicclerk.com.
Frick said the city is looking at future upgrades at the Family FunPlex and renovations at Centennial Pool with the food tax renewal. Projects at those sites are high on the department’s priority list, Frick said.
Work will also be considered at the Active Adult Center on 10th Avenue including carpeting, air conditioning and updating spaces.
“Now, we’re doing longer-term planning, knowing priorities might shuffle,” Frick said. “Our hope is that with all of the growth projections, we anticipate the funding will get larger as Greeley continues to grow.”
Frick estimated the city brings in about $10 million from the food tax. She said the culture, parks and recreation department historically receives about 40%-50% of those funds.
The food tax earlier this year supported remodeling of locker rooms at the Greeley Recreation Center. The tax was not scheduled to expire until 2026, but city leaders wanted to add the item to the ballot this year. If the issue failed, the city likely would’ve tried again for passage in 2025.
The MERGE project’s mobility hub will be located between the interchanges on the north side of U.S. 34 and within the east side of the Centerplace commercial area. The hub will allow for regional transportation access by expanding Greeley’s bus and mobility options.
A tunnel path will be constructed 5 feet below the existing grade of U.S. 34 to allow access from the hub to nearby neighborhoods on the south side of the highway and to a parking area on the north side.
A video on The Citizens for Driving Greeley website shows a perspective of the future site looking toward the southwest. A portion of U.S. 34 will be raised 10 feet above the existing grade of the highway. A transit regional median hub for buses will be constructed on the raised section of U.S. 34, and allow for access to the tunnel on ground level.
The origin of the work on the intersections dates back about 10 years, Trombino said. The next step on the interchanges will be working with the U.S. Department of Transportation on an agreement to use $20.5 million from a grant announced during the summer. The grant is part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program, which provides funding for capital investments in surface transportation.
In 2025, the city will begin meeting with residents and businesses around the project area. Trombino expects the city to reach out in the early spring, March and April. He said the city will also host public meetings.
“We want to make sure people are involved in the process and we’re getting input on how to approach the work and mitigate issues,” he said. “We want to have good engagement.”
City environmental screening documentation shows about 37% of the population within a one-half mile buffer area of the project is considered minority, Black, Indigenous and people of color. The documentation also indicates there are several households in the buffer zone considered below the poverty level. A public housing facility called Andy’s Place is adjacent to the project area at 2831 W. 28th St.
“Additionally, several households use public transportation which increases the benefit of the added mobility hub,” the document says. “A more in-depth review of other EJ (environmental justice) factors will be needed as the project continues.”
“It’s been a long time coming and it’s important to re-engage the community because we’re on a path to making these changes,” Trombino said.
The city of Greeley is committed to spending about $66.2 million, which is 51% of the project cost. The money will come from local funds and federal financing.
Gates said earlier this month the city also has about $30 million of funds to contribute from a voter-approved tax four years ago. At the time, the city was to share the cost with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
CDOT now will pick up about $8 million of the cost. Federal grants will cover about $51.6 million, and regional transportation agency North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization will cover about $5.4 million.
Trombino said the city’s current focus among transportation improvement projects lies with the MERGE Project. Trombino said it’s the No. 1 priority. He added there are other impactful projects that will need attention in the future. Those cover a wide geographic area through Greeley from 8th Avenue in the east to 83rd Avenue on the west side.
“We have to get this one done first,” Trombino said of the 35th and 47th avenues and the mobility hub. “It’s a key link for all of the other projects from the east side and heading to 83rd. They’re key ingredients to mitigating traffic and improving safety.”
