Frequently asked questions

  1. What is an urban renewal authority?
  2. What does it mean to have my neighborhood, property or business in an urban renewal area? 
  3. How does a blight determination affect my property?
  4. Why are incentives needed?
  5. How does tax increment financing work?
  6. Will tax increment financing raise my taxes?
  7. What is the impact of TIF on local government budgets?

An Urban Renewal Authority (URA) is a public redevelopment organization authorized under state law to carry out urban renewal projects. Only one URA may operate in a municipality, although a URA may carry out multiple projects in areas that qualify for urban renewal treatment. URAs have access to a set of tools not available to municipal governments to encourage and incentivize redevelopment.

More than 60 cities and towns across Colorado take advantage of urban renewal programs. Communities from the Western Slope to the Front Range use URAs to facilitate housing development, improve infrastructure systems, and revitalize the character of their mixed-use and commercial districts.

For more information, view the Durango Renewal Partnership Citizen's Information Guide (PDF).