Colorado Springs, CO — The Colorado Springs City Council approved the initial reading for the annexation of 3,100 acres of land located south of the city, just west of I-25 between Fountain and Fort Carson. The move, which aims to accommodate future industrial development, is a significant step toward expanding the city’s manufacturing capabilities.
The development of the annexed land is being pitched as a game-changer for the region’s industrial sector. According to local developers, the site is ideally suited for large-scale manufacturing operations, partly due to its size and proximity to critical transportation infrastructure. The site sits conveniently near both I-25 and Fort Carson, but what truly sets it apart is its vast expanse.
Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (EDC), emphasized the rarity of such a large industrial site in the area. “In the Colorado Springs MSA, there are only 17 sites listed as industrial sites. The majority of those are less than 10 acres,” she said. “This site is 3,100 acres. It’s a unicorn site.”
In addition to its size, the development is positioned to benefit from access to both BNSF and Union Pacific, two of the nation’s largest freight railroads. According to Representative Steve Mulliken, the competition between these rail companies could benefit future tenants by offering a more competitive transportation market. “Usually, railroads don’t have to compete. They grow up as monopolies. Here they do,” Mulliken said.
While the development’s potential is clear, logistical questions remain, particularly regarding how to supply water to the site. Because the annexed land is not physically connected to Colorado Springs’ current city limits, the city will need to ensure that utilities, especially water, can be effectively provided. Mulliken noted that Colorado Springs Utilities has already calculated that the area has sufficient water resources to support the development. “We plan to take water from Colorado Springs Utilities,” he said. “It does have, based on utilities calculations, excess water.”
Although the specifics of which manufacturers will ultimately move to the site are not yet clear, Kleymeyer suggested that both large and light industrial users would be ideal candidates for the location. “I would recommend both large industrial, heavy industrial users and light industrial,” she said.
The annexation is not yet final. The City Council must conduct one more reading and vote to officially approve the annexation. The second reading and vote are scheduled for March 25. If approved, the development is expected to significantly boost Colorado Springs’ industrial capacity and attract new businesses to the area.
