About the Downtown Development Authority

View down a Denver street with brick buildings and cars parked along the sides

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a tool enabled by a state statute that allows municipalities to collect a portion of the incremental taxes generated within the central business district and reinvest those funds into economic development activities within that same area. There are more than 20 DDAs currently in place in downtowns across Colorado. DDAs are required to be located in a municipality’s central business district, and each municipality can only have one DDA in place at a time. The use of DDA funds is guided by a Plan of Development.

Functions of the DDA include:

  • Implementing a Plan of Development
  • Making dedicated funding available for investing in strategic capital projects within the city's downtown
  • Supporting catalytic investments that spur economic growth and revitalization downtown

History

In 2008, the city used the DDA to help deliver over $400 million in public transportation projects at Union Station. This strategic public investment complemented and strengthened private investment at Union Station to better serve local and regional residents as well as attract new visitors and businesses.

Public assets funded through the DDA include:

  • Historic station preservation
  • Rail tracks, platforms, and canopies
  • Regional bus facility
  • Public gathering spaces
  • Public street, utilities, and parking 

In 2024, the City and County of Denver completed a community process to update the Plan of Development and expand Denver's DDA to a much larger downtown geography. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the DDA increase my taxes?

No, the DDA is an existing funding tool and does not raise taxes (nor will taxes decrease if it goes away).  

Property and sales tax rates would remain the same (per Denver Revised Municipal Code and Colorado Revised Statutes) regardless of whether the DDA is expanded or not. The DDA does not determine tax rates. 

Why can’t the DDA be expanded to all areas of downtown?

The DDA is a tool enabled by a state statute that allows municipalities to collect a portion of the incremental taxes generated within the central business district and reinvest those funds into economic development activities within that same area. The central business district as defined in the statute includes the traditional “governmental center” of the city, which includes portions of Uptown. The city is also limited to expanding the DDA due to limitations in our ownership of the rights-of-way.

 

Will the DDA impact existing BIDs or TIF districts?

No. The DDA will not impact any business improvement districts (BIDs) as they are different special districts with two different types of funding. Generally, BIDs fund enhanced services while the DDA funds infrastructure improvements.

Similarly, pre-existing tax increment districts will continue to retain the tax increment. In areas where there is overlap between the DDA and other tax increment districts, the DDA won’t collect TIF, but it can invest DDA funds into those areas. 

 

Can the DDA condemn my property or have other regulatory controls?

No – Unlike urban renewal authorities, a DDA cannot condemn property. In addition, it has no additional regulatory authority over property.

Board of Directors 

The DDA currently has a five-member Board of Directors, which is authorized by state statute. Members are appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. The Board includes the current President of City Council, one member who is a resident, landowner or business lessee within the boundaries of the DDA, and three members who are residents or landowners within the boundaries of the DDA.

Members  Term Expiration
Frank Cannon, Board Secretary  June 30, 2025
Jay Lambiotte  June 30, 2025
Douglas Tisdale, Board Chair  June 30, 2026
Marshall Johnston  June 30, 2026
Current City Council President Amanda Sandoval --