The Denver City Council on Monday approved an agreement that will govern the National Western Center campus, the site of a $1.1 billion city-led project, for as long as a century.
In the next year, the city and its partners the eventual 250-acre campus. The decade-long project aims to transform the area — the home of the annual stock show and rodeo for 111 years — into a year-round tourism, event, education and agricultural innovation center.
Council members’ unanimous approval of the “framework agreement,” in a 12-0 block vote, adds the city’s sign-off to that of the city’s two main partners, the Western Stock Show Association and Colorado State University.
The agreement covers 50 years, with two potential 25-year renewals. Mayor Michael Hancock and his successors will get the majority of appointments to the authority’s 11-member board of directors, with CSU and the Stock Show Association given two appointments each.
Some controversy from among Hancock’s seven appointees to represent the area near the campus, with advocates pressing for a second appointee. So city officials recently added a non-voting community representative.
But Council President Albus Brooks, whose district includes the project area, said he would join activists in urging Hancock to set aside another of his appointments for a community member who can vote.
Read more about the details of the framework agreement .