Fraser Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Downtown Fraser is a vibrant and creative community that embraces its unique character and funky spirit and is committed to fostering a downtown that celebrates individuality. It is a place where community and commerce thrive. It is a hub where culture and community are preserved and celebrated and local businesses are supported. Downtown Fraser seeks to enhance the overall quality of life for its residents and contribute to the Town's long-term social, environmental and fiscal sustainability. 

                                                                                     

DDA Logo adopted 8-27-24

On April 2nd, 2024 eligible electors voted in favor of establishing a Fraser Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and provided debt authorization for the DDA. The DDA Election fact sheet can be found here. The Fraser Board of Trustees subsequently passed Ordinance 514 Establishing the Fraser Downtown Development Authority. Visit our  DDA Board page for more information on the DDA Board.

A Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a flexible quasi-governmental entity responsible for adopting and implementing a downtown central business district Plan of Development. The DDA facilitates economic development and redevelopment of properties and infrastructure within the downtown area.  

One opportunity for DDAs is to capture and spend tax increment financing (TIF) on downtown development. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a unique mechanism that enables a DDA to use the net new tax revenues from property tax generated by projects within a designated area to help finance improvements in a downtown development district. This allows the DDA to finance the upfront costs of improvements within the DDA District for projects provisioned for in a  Plan of Development . Such investment serves as a catalyst for continued investment, development, and redevelopment of the downtown area. 

Plan of Development

Fraser DDA Boundary
FraserDDA_ExhibitA_map_20231220 (1)Click here to search for and see if an address falls within the proposed DDA boundaries.

*Use the magnifying glass on the bottom right to search.

Plan of Development Core Strategies

What the Fraser DDA has been up to....

  • The Fraser DDA Board was appointed by the Fraser Board of Trustees and began meeting in early summer 2024.
  • Since then the Fraser DDA Board has established bylaws, elected officers, signed an IGA with the Town of Fraser, created a work plan, approved the 2025 budget, and is working to establish financial and investment policies. 
  • In September Ayres Consulting was hired to engage in an intensive 2.5 days of community engagement to draft a Plan of Development to serve as the foundational document for the DDA. The Fraser Board of Trustees held a Public Hearing and adopted the Fraser DDA Plan of Development on October 16th, 2024. Per Colorado Revised Statutes, any investments or projects undertaken must be part of the Plan of Development. 
  • Sarah Catanzarite, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Fraser, is serving as the Fraser DDA Interim Executive Director. 


Fraser Food Truck People

The Fraser DDA is working closely with the Town of Fraser to  realize the Town's economic development goals as they relate to the Plan of Development. Visit Town of Fraser Economic Development to learn more. 

For More information contact Sarah Catanzarite, Assistant Town Manager & DDA Interim Executive Director at scatanzarite@town.fraser.co.us; 970-531-9930.

Byson Welcome to Fraser

Fraser Downtown Development Authority Background 

The Town of Fraser began working with Downtown Colorado, Inc. in 2023 to explore the possibility of a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for the Town of Fraser. Throughout Summer 2023 a Downtown Development Authority Advisory Committee (DDAC) met four times to learn about DDAs, how they work in communities across Colorado to contribute to the economic vitality of downtown areas, and what a DDA might look like for the Town of Fraser. The DDAC members unanimously approved a motion to recommend that the Board of Trustees move forward with an ordinance to establish a Downtown Development Authority for the Town of Fraser to be voted upon by “eligible electors” in the April 2024 municipal election.  

Following the DDAC recommendation, DDA-related presentations have been and will be made to the Town of Fraser Board of Trustees at the Oct 18th, Nov 1st, and Nov 15th Board meetings.

On December 6, 2023  the Fraser Town Board passed  Ordinance No. 505 Establishment of Downtown Development Authority And Calling An Election  approving a ballot measure for establishment of a Fraser Downtown Development Authority  (DDA) to be voted upon by qualified electors- residents, landowners or lessees of real property located within the proposed DDA- in the April 2nd, 2024 regular election. 

Downtown Development Authority Workshop 2.21.24 slides

DDA Activities May Include (but are not limited to):

  • Placemaking, Design, Wayfinding 
  • Parks & Plazas, Gathering Spaces, Public Art
  • Beautification, Streetscapes, Landscaping 
  • Trails & Green Space
  •  Multimodal Transportation & Parking
  • Affordable Community Housing
  • Road, Sidewalks & Infrastructure Projects
  • Connectivity & Access Programs 
  • Business Attraction & Retention 
  • Safety Enhancements
  • Community Events & Marketing
  • Grant Programs for Business Improvements/Development

Learn More About Downtown Development Authorities

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