Denver City Council Approves $70M NWSL Stadium Funding

Denver’s proposed $70 million public investment in a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) stadium has cleared a major hurdle, with a City Council committee approving an agreement to buy land and fund infrastructure improvements at the Santa Fe Yards site near Broadway and I-25. Initially met with skepticism over funding priorities and the use of taxpayer dollars, councilmembers now express increased confidence after revisions to the proposal and assurances regarding a Community Benefit Agreement. The city will allocate $50 million for land acquisition and $20 million for parks, trails, and a bridge, while the ownership group, led by IMA Financial CEO Robert Cohen, will contribute up to $200 million for stadium construction. A city-commissioned economic impact study projects that the 14,500-seat stadium and entertainment district could generate $2.2 billion in economic output over 30 years and create more than 1,000 jobs, offering a significant economic boost to the historically neglected South Broadway area. Despite concerns about the league's minimum wage and broader city budget pressures, many local business owners and officials see the project as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and long-term growth. The full City Council still needs to vote to finalize the agreement.