Community Builders

We bring communities together to build healthy, equitable, and prosperous places that improve people's lives today and ensure a sustainable tomorrow.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

What can a planner in rural, western Colorado learn from the centrally planned, super-urban center of modern culture, technology, education, economy, art, and architecture that is Shanghai? Mackinzi’s observations are featured in this month’s blog!
https://t.co/orjCqrmhL0

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

If you haven’t already heard, the 2024 Colorado Brownfields Conference will take place on May 1 at the Arvada Center for Performing Arts! Join us for the conference, and stay for the FREE EPA Grant Writing Workshop! Learn more and register today: https://t.co/gYBjcPNNPw

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Last week, our team got together in Golden, CO for two days of planning, preparation, and training focused on our upcoming Building Better Places Training (BBP)! After a productive couple of days, we can’t wait to work together with communities at BBP 2024 in March!

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Thank you, Aspen Rotary Club for an opportunity to engage with your members on the important issues in our region. Our Colorado Mountain and Rural Places program speaks to the concerns our communities have when looking to create a sustainable, inclusive and livable future.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Read our recent blog “What My Garden Taught Me About Economic Development: A Season in Review” to read about how to grow a thriving economy (and garden!)🍅🍊🥦
https://t.co/VmKSkHeNeK

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

On behalf of the entire team at Community Builders, thank you for supporting us yesterday on Colorado Gives Day! Our work can only happen with support like yours. From all of us here, thank you again for your investment in strengthening communities across Colorado.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

In yesterday’s NY Times, Silverton was recognized for doing the hard work to develop their Compass Project while healing the rifts in the community. We were honored to guide the community through this complex process. Read the article at the link below!
https://t.co/u0AVvOPMai

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

They've been heavily praised with their local sourcing of designers, artists, and contractors and collaborations with other small businesses.

It's a great reminder of what kind of community building can happen with a vision in mind and a plan in place.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Feeling inspired by this transformation (which has nothing to do with us): in a WI town, a vacant gas station found a new life as an ice cream shop.

Since opening this summer, Joy Ice Cream Social has very quickly become a bright spot (literally) and hub within the community.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

The three main goals were connectivity, placemaking, and infill development.

Since the plan's implementation, the Downtown Partnership has kept the momentum of Better Together moving forward, curating a thoughtful and interactive hub in GJ.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Grand Junction, the largest city on Colorado's western slope, has been steadily growing and changing over the years. Today, Grand Junction's downtown is recognized as a vibrant, artistic, community-oriented hub within the city.

This didn't happen by accident.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

In 2019, Community Builders teamed up with the city's Downtown Partners and several community advocates in a year-long process dubbed "Better Together." This project involved a mix of workshops, focus groups, community surveys, pop-up events, and open houses to generate ideas.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Community Builders worked on the WSLV's Regional Resilience and Recovery Roadmap, a program offering technical assistance grants for regional planning for community and economic recovery and resilience related to COVID-19.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

CB led the WSLV community team through the roadmap process and to an action-oriented plan, specifically addressing two priority issues: housing their workforce, and growing their entrepreneurs.

Saguache, pictured here, showcases their vibrancy and resiliency.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Last week, the CB team met in Glenwood Springs for a team retreat. In addition to rafting the CO River, we also spent valuable time covering topics like  program strategy, facilitation training, + effective frameworks for management.

We're refreshed with new ideas and energy!

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

The key to a strong community is prioritizing its people.

https://t.co/TOqiSSwn75

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

While some might see an old, abandoned building, we're training local leaders to look a little closer, to see what we do: opportunities for economic growth and community revitalization.

These pics are from the recent site visits in La Jara, CO at the WSLV Brownfields Workshop.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Initiated by Community Builders, the fund will invest in housing options that locals can afford. It will provide gap funding, down payment loans, homeowner incentives, affordability flips, enable conversions/rehabs, and work to protect existing affordable housing in the valley.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

Affordable housing is critical. There's no way around it: strong communities are built with healthy neighborhoods that have housing choices that people can afford.

[Community Builders @CommunityBldrs]

In 2022, leaders throughout Glenwood Springs came together to propose a direct solution for affordable housing for the workforce. Ballot Issue 2C appeared in the local election, proposing a workforce housing fund created by a 2.5% lodging tax increase paid for by visitors.