COMMUNITY

WINDSOR FORGING AHEAD WITH COMMUNITY IDENTITY, REGIONAL COLLABORATION IN MIND

BY TREVOR REID

When it became clear early last year the pandemic would batter municipal budgets, Windsor officials tightened the town ' s proverbial belt while continuing work to get certain projects shovel-ready.

Town Manager Shane Hale said residents are already seeing the fruits of that careful planning, as the town works on about $37 million of capital improvements this year. Roughly half of that, Hale said, is focused on roads and road capacity.

Those projects, while costly, are a necessary part of keeping up with both the town ' s population growth, as well as that of the entire northern Colorado region.Over the past decade,Hale said, the town ' s population has basically doubled. "It seems word is out on Windsor, " he said. "And, obviously, northern Colorado — it' s not just unique to us. "

The North Front Range population is projected to reach nearly 1.2 million by July 2050, according to the State Demography Office.A 2020 projection from the office has the region ' s population at 692,483, which means officials are projecting the population to grow by more than 73% over the next three decades.

Two of Windsor ' s smaller neighbors have seen explosive growth over the past decade, with Severance growing from nearly 2,800 residents in 2010 to nearly 4,750, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. In the same time,Timnath grew from a population of 447 to nearly 3,500 residents. Hale cited a couple of the region ' s attractive qualities as possible reasons for its growth, including its proximity to the mountains and its strong,diverse economy. "I think that Weld County and Larimer County seem to diverge in

some places, " he said. "In a lot of ways,northern Colorado dollars a little bit further through collaboration ....it serves benefits from that. " taxpayers better. "

Once economically reliant on sugar beets, Windsor ' s As the region grows, Hale said, it does seem like the growth is now propped up by various businesses across "bull' s-eye " is on Windsor. different industries.That economic across industries from agriculture care and technology — builds stability in the town ' s growth,which has averaged nearly 6% annually over the past two decades. diversity — spanning and energy to health “The town "I think a bo part of th ard at is we ' re nicely situated between Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland, " Hale said. "Secondly, it' s really a great community. It' s very safe; really nice public amenities; our schools are great. " In recent years,Windsor ' s Economic Development Office has tracked the creation of about 272 jobs per year through incentives, according to Hale. And that' s only what they ' ve contributed to the office ' s efforts,he added. "The town board has has had a clear vision that they want our residents to have really Those factors are a big draw for younger families populating the town, according to Hale, as well as many retirees, some looking to get closer to the grandkids. In the past few years, the town has issued well over 900 permits for new residential units each had wan real a clear vision that t our residents to ly high-paying they have job high-paying job year. of th have In the is year, already first quarter 557 permits been issued. opportunities, " want to attract he pe said. ople "We who opportunities, ” Tw dev o elo ma pm jor ents, re R s a i i dential nDance are educated and skilled. " on the south side of town Hale norther advantage said another n Colorado is the unique character of the region ' s different have been very active over th and the Ridge Road on the e past three yea at Harmony north side, rs,Hale said. communities, such as Windsor, Loveland, Greeley and Though officials are generally forecasting the 20-year others. As sprawling growth in some metro areas have average growth rate will continue in the short term,Hale blurred the identifiable boundaries between those acknowledged it can 't go on forever. But with qualitycommunities, northern Colorado has maintained some of-life projects another major part of the town ' s ongoing unique identities.Driving throughWindsor,Hale said,he capital projects,the town ' s unique identity should remain can still see open fields,agricultural activity and a small- intact. town feel that' s harder to find as you move south. "We anticipate this growth is going to have to slow "That means we ' ve got a challenge to preserve that, " down, " he said. "It' s one thing to grow,but I think if you ' re he said. planning and focusing correctly, you want to know that to Town officials discuss reg have iona met with l issues neighboring communities including establishing when the back and growth has stopp sitll recognize the ed or slowed down, you community you live in. " look community separators. In a move that helps tie the area together,Windsor Timnath and La also recently rimer Coun worked ty on a with Fort Great O Collins, utdoors DEALING WITH ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION? A LIMITED AMOUNT OF PERSON SESSIONS IN Colorado grant to complete the Poudre River Trail — a YOU’RE NOT ALONE! ARE AVAILABLE BY project on which officials are nearing the finish line.Once APPOINTMENT. completed, the trail will run all the way from Greeley through Windsor to Fort Collins. Other regional issues have included open spaces and water management, in addition to transportation discussions. Hale said many of the challenges facing the SANDI Y. SQUICQUERO M. ED., LPC Licensed Professional Counselor National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist | Former Probation and Family Services Worker 30 years of experience All CDC and Covid-19 regulations are being followed region calling "The are larger than Windsor or any for the collaborative approach. se things can get really expensive, sing and ular they en ' re tity, not THE s Medical Hypnosis & CounselingCENTER, P.C. 1180 Main Street Suite 5B • WindSor CALL US TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT (970) 674-0191 getting with ot any her less local expensive, " he governments sa an id d . s "If tret we ch can ever partner ybody ' s Stay Healthy! wind s o A W A r R D S re ader’ 2 0 1 8 s MEDHYPNOSIS1.COM