CENTRAL CITY - At their regularly scheduled meeting on September 2, 2025, the Central City Council gave unanimous approval to CDOT for a conditional 1041 Permit for construction of the new interchange at I-70 and the Central City Parkway.

New interchange

Construction of the new interchange, which will be a roundabout, is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Resolution 25-32 passed on second reading after a presentation by Central City staff and CDOT managers outlining how the interchange was going to be constructed and its realignment with the I-70 Floyd Hill project.

Kurt Kicuka, the CDOT Project Director of the $700 million Floyd Hill project, used a PowerPoint presentation to show the proposed new interchange and explained how it would replace the current 243 Exit from I-70 at the entrance to the Central City Parkway.

Tyler Brady, who is the project manager, followed up with how signage would be placed for the exit in both directions along I-70.

CDOT Regional Environmentalist Abbie Modafferi added additional information on noise mitigation measures and the environmental testing for air quality that would be placed around the interchange.

Tory Jarvis presented the staff report, which listed five conditions that would need to be met or monitored by CDOT for council approval.  

These conditions involve not impeding anyone’s property rights, not degrading the city’s economy, crisis communications, a health and safety plan for dealing with things like a hazardous materials spill, and notifications of any future changes.

Kicuka said that CDOT would be able to meet and abide by those conditions.

The resolution passed on second reading, and a permit will be issued pursuant to Chapter 17, Article V of the Central City Municipal Code.

Council also passed Ordinance 25-07 on second reading, which approved a Lease Agreement with RM Central City LLC for 103 Eureka Street, with an option to purchase. The lease is for 12 months with an extension.

New business

In new business, Council unanimously approved a Promise Program Request by Sarah Lovett for $5,000. She will be attending a nursing program at Fort Lewis College in Durango.

During discussion before the vote, Mayor Jeremy Fey questioned the guidelines for the program and wondered if they needed to be changed to so that recipients had a connection to the city.

Alderman Zane Plsek suggested that they be reviewed during the coming budget cycle.

Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-33, ratifying the use of eminent domain by the City of Central Urban Renewal Authority, which met earlier in the day to discuss acquisition of property in Plan Area #2. Before the vote, Plsek emphasized that eminent domain should only be used as a last resort.

The final resolution of the night, 25-34, was also approved unanimously, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a revised Professional Services Agreement with Obermeier/Sheykhet Architecture, Inc.

City Manager Daniel Miera notified Council during staff updates that the 2026 Budget Calendar had been finalized and would be posted shortly on the City website. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for November 18.

During council comments, Plsek stated an appreciation for CDOT for their presentation and commitment to the new interchange.

Fey highlighted the Plein Air Artists Colorado’s 28th Annual National Fine Art Exhibition, which will have a reception at the Gilpin County Arts Association Gallery in Washington Hall at 5 p.m. on Friday September 5.

The next meeting of the Central City Council will be on September 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. The next Central City Urban Renewal Authority meeting will be on September 16, 2025, at 5 p.m. Visit centralcity.colorado.gov for more information.