The November 4, 2025, Election May Be the Most Consequential in Greeley’s Recent History
November 1, 2025
By Brandon Wark and Rhonda Solis, Proponents, Greeley Demands Better
Voters will decide not just on city council and mayoral seats, but on the very future of our community, its finances, and who truly holds power at City Hall. The policies, priorities, and independence of our next council will shape Greeley for generations — from neighborhood investments to billion-dollar development bets.
At the heart of this pivotal moment is the Cascadia project. A developer rode into Greeley with a desperate need to land a new home for Cascadia and his Colorado Eagles after Larimer County refused. Greeley’s substantial financial resources made it an inviting prospect.
The developer courted and won the approval of five council members. Now, Greeley city leaders are willing to risk the future of our community without a public vote. They have mortgaged Greeley’s future by taking on hundreds of millions in risk — all while sidelining transparency and citizen oversight. Twice, 8000+ residents rose up to demand a public vote, underscoring widespread alarm about sweetheart deals and fiscal overreach. The city’s response? Spend as quickly as possible and defend the current terms at all costs.
As it stands, the City of Greeley will assume ownership of the high-risk $860 million Catalyst Hotel, Water Park, and Arena Complex, along with an obligation to pay $2 billion in debt service over the next 40 years. Projections show the city could be short as much as $20 million per year just to meet debt payments.
In stark contrast, the 1,000-acre Cascadia Residential development — on land at County Rd 17 and Highway 34 — remains entirely in the developers control as a low-risk, highly profitable private venture.
To build public enthusiasm, the developer has boasted that major retailers will transform the area into a bustling commercial hub, boosting Greeley’s retail sales. In reality, top retailers have little incentive to locate off the I-25 corridor, where visibility and customer traffic are critical for their success.
Industry experts warn that the Catalyst Hotel and Water Park, five miles east of I-25, will struggle to reach the projected activity and revenue targets, with expected cash flows potentially falling $10–15 million short annually.
At its core, the Cascadia project has served the interests of the developer above all others. The city shoulders every penny of the financial risk. The developer locks in lucrative, long-term terms for his hockey team, secures a sweetheart deal for his residential development, and stands to pocket a $30 million “consulting fee” from the deal.
Through it all, Greeley’s elected officials appear determined to advance the developer’s agenda rather than advocate for the broader interests of the community.
Now is the time for new leadership — leaders willing to confront hard truths, overhaul risky financial deals, and restore responsible, transparent stewardship of our city’s resources. Sensible decisions for Greeley’s future depend on electing independent voices committed to reimagining the project’s financing to protect the community for generations to come.
Greeley deserves a council and mayor dedicated to serving all residents, not just well-connected interests. A new council must closely examine and revise the financial plan to ensure long-term stability and lower the risks associated with the current deal. They must challenge risky assumptions and expensive agreements, and champion solutions that serve Greeley today and tomorrow.
That’s all we, along with the thousands of Greeley citizens and business leaders we represent, have asked for.
Greeley faces a defining choice on November 4. Elect leaders loyal to an outside developer or elect independent and courageous leaders loyal to you, the Greeley residents. Remember this when you vote - the city council and staff work for us - the people, the taxpayers, and the voters. Let’s vote in candidates who will respect the voice of our citizens.
Vote wisely, Greeley.
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About Greeley Demands Better
The “Greeley Demands Better” campaign is a grassroots citizen initiative seeking to repeal the zoning for the “Bad Cascadia Deal” and ensure responsible fiscal management of taxpayer dollars. The initiative process is 100% Greeley-driven, co-chaired by Greeley resident Brandon Wark, and Rhonda Solis, former Colorado's 8th Congressional District Board of Education member, Greeley-Evans school board member, and long-time Greeley resident.
For more information, visit GreeleyDemandsBetter.com or follow the campaign on social media.