​The Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority (CSURA) was established by the City of Colorado Springs City Council in 1970 through the approval of Ordinance No. 3995. CSURA is a tool to assist with the restoration and redevelopment of specified areas determined to meet the State Statutes for blight. CSURA promotes projects that supply public benefit, provide quality sustainable places, create jobs, promote public art, offer affordable housing and raise the standard of development in Colorado Springs. These projects are achievable through the coordinated partnerships of private and public entities, civic leaders, financial institutions and the use of tax increment financing. The objective of CSURA is to facilitate development of balanced, sustainable environments where people live, work, and come together as a community.

CSURA is led by an executive director who is governed by a 13 member board.  Nine members are appointed by the Mayor of Colorado Springs and approved by the Colorado Springs City Council. One member of City Council serves as a Commissioner on the board.  The 3 additional board members represent the taxing districts (school, special district and county)  as required by HB 15-1348. There is a staggered five-year term for each member. Authority members typically have backgrounds in the fields of real estate, development, planning, finance and community involvement. CSURA is governed by Colorado State Statutes and is independent of any budgeting entity other than their own. An annual audit is done through an independent auditing firm and an annual audit report is reviewed and approved by Authority members. The audit report is also reviewed by the Colorado Springs City Auditor and included as part of the annual report by the City.

The primary implementation strategy of the Authority is to provide selected developers with the financial assistance necessary to allow the redevelopment project to compete successfully in the market place (Gap financing). When CSURA partners with a private developer and provides assistance to help finance redevelopment of a blighted property in Colorado Springs, the main tool it uses is called tax increment financing or TIF. TIF is a mechanism to capture the net new or incremental property taxes that are created when a vacant or underutilized property is redeveloped and use those revenues to help finance the project. Projects that generate sales tax revenue may also include the tax increment with the approval of the Colorado Springs City Council. A redevelopment agreement between CSURA and the developer is negotiated that lays out the specifics for which developer incurred qualified expenses will be eligible for reimbursement as well as the the total amount of increment that will be paid. A 25-year clock is set for each urban renewal project and that period begins with the approval of an urban renewal plan and the recording of the approved plan with El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. TIF can be collected and disbursed as reimbursement for allowable expenses for a maximum of 25 years.
CSURA currently has thirteen approved projects:
CSURA currently has thirteen approved projects:
  • City Auditorium approved in 2004
  • City Gate approved in 2007
  • Gold Hill Mesa approved in 2004
  • Gold Hill Mesa Commercial approved in 2015
  • Ivywild Neighborhood approved in 2011
  • Museum & Park approved in 2018
  • North Nevada Avenue Corridor approved in 2004
  • Polar Pointe/Copper Ridge approved in 2010
  • South Nevada Avenue approved in 2015
  • Southwest Downtown approved in 2001
  • Tejon and Costilla approved in 2018
  • True North Commons approved in 2019
  • Vineyards approved in 2011