Sand Creek Business Area
Sand Creek Business Area – Redevelopment Opportunity
Along Commerce City’s southern border with Denver sits a long‑vacant former landfill site at E. 48th Avenue and Ivy Street. This 65‑acre property has been idle for decades, in need of cleanup and significant investment to become more than an overgrown parcel vulnerable to illegal dumping. Today, the Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority (CCURA) has laid the groundwork to transform this site and is actively seeking qualified development partners interested in bringing new life and economic activity to the area.
Plan Overview
The Sand Creek site is well‑positioned for industrial, logistics, and employment‑based uses, consistent with surrounding land uses and restrictions that prevent residential or school development due to environmental conditions. Its scale, proximity to major transportation corridors, and adjacency to Denver make it a compelling opportunity for businesses and developers looking to invest in a strategic industrial location. The site does require infrastructure upgrades and environmental cleanup, including remediation activities under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The CCURA is committed to partnering on these efforts and ensuring the site can support modern, safe, compliant redevelopment.
Urban Renewal and Funding Support
Both CCURA and the Commerce City Council have voted to designate the Sand Creek area as an official urban renewal area, enabling the use of tax increment financing (TIF) to help fund remediation, infrastructure improvements, and roadway upgrades. As property values rise through redevelopment, TIF captures the resulting increase in tax revenue to help pay for the improvements that make the project possible. This financial tool allows CCURA to support developers by reducing upfront costs associated with preparing the site making it far more competitive and viable for large‑scale industrial or logistics investment.
A Site Ready for a Vision
With the urban renewal designation in place, regulatory framework established, and environmental requirements clearly defined, the Sand Creek site is now positioned for new developer interest. CCURA is actively seeking partners who can bring:
• High‑quality industrial or logistics development
• Job‑creating commercial uses
• Sustainable or innovative site design
• Long‑term investment aligned with the area’s industrial character
The site represents one of Commerce City’s largest redevelopment opportunities; a chance to reinvest in underutilized land, activate a major employment area, and catalyze economic growth along the city’s southern gateway. Developers interested in learning more about the opportunity or engaging with CCURA are encouraged to contact the Keith Morey, Economic & Community Vitality Director at kmorey@c3gov.com.
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