Impact East Colfax

What is Impact East Colfax?

Impact East Colfax (IEC) is a collaboration between Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) and The Fax Partnership (The Fax) to build equitable, affordable commercial and residential developments on the East Colfax corridor. ULC has a commitment to preserving land in communities at risk of displacement and developing, stewarding, and managing permanently affordable housing and shared office space for nonprofits and mission-minded organizations in those places.  Since 2003, ULC has invested $177 million and leveraged more than $1 billion in more than 50 affordable properties throughout Metro Denver and Colorado. The Fax is a long-standing nonprofit working to strengthen and support the East Colfax corridor while advancing a vision of equitable development through the Impact East Colfax initiative. 

As one of the most ethnically diverse and affordable communities in Metro Denver, East Colfax is a community under threat of displacement of existing residents and businesses with the planned Bus Rapid Transit project and the recent Opportunity Zone designation. Through a community-inclusive process, ULC/Fax seeks to preserve affordability and accessibility through the Impact East Colfax initiative, which includes the acquisition of parcels to develop affordable housing and commercial space on the East Colfax corridor.

On September 30 2021, ULC and The Fax launched a community steering committee to guide the development processes. These individuals, selected from an open application process, include East Colfax residents and business owners as well as subject matter experts who care deeply about the future of the East Colfax community. The members who originally joined the committee were Abraham Tesfamichile, Alex Marqusee, Andrea Miller, April Chase, Benjamin Moore, Bertha Moran Omelas, Brad Revare, Che Derrera, Christian Steward, Diana Olvera, Donnie Betts, Ellie Adelman, Gabriel Romero, Gabriela Jacobo, Jami Horwitz, Jesus Gonzales, Jordan Block, Katie Goldman, Laura Allen-Hatcher, Lindsay Miller, Marisela Sandoval, Mary Beth Susman, Michele Tonti, Mohammed Said, Monica Hernandez, Orman L Toko, Robert Martin Jr., Robin Fleischmann, Sean Garvey, and Tricia Allen.

The Colorado Health Foundation has generously invested in Impact East Colfax’s community engagement process. ULC and The Fax have each invested in the East Colfax corridor real estate acquisitions. The IEC steering committee is participating in discussions about the future redevelopment of these sites.

About The Fax

Founded in 2004, The Fax Partnership, also known as The Fax, envisions East Colfax as a transit-rich, ethnically diverse main street with affordable housing and neighborhood-serving businesses. Through community partnerships and collaboration with local government and nonprofits, we’re working to create a healthy mix of affordable and engaging places for people to live, work and enjoy life. To learn more, visit www.thefaxdenver.com.

About Urban Land Conservancy

Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) is committed to preserving, developing, stewarding, and managing permanently affordable housing and shared office space for nonprofits and mission-minded organizations in Metro Denver and surrounding communities. For more information, visit www.urbanlandc.org.