Going fly fishing on your lunch break is about to become a reality in Montrose, Colorado, thanks to a new, 164-acre commercial, residential and industrial development along the Uncompahgre River. Developed by Colorado Outdoors, the space will provide a multitude of living options, outdoor recreation areas as well as street-level storefronts and offices. Over $83 million is budgeted for the project, which includes river restoration and open space enhancements.
“The vision is to offer a desirable one-stop shop for like-minded businesses in the outdoor industry,” David Dragoo, president of fly fishing company Mayfly Outdoors and director of Colorado Outdoors, told SNEWS. “We want to attract manufacturing companies that make outdoor products—for fisherman, backpackers, mountain bikers, etc.—and bring jobs to a rural community. Companies can utilize the airport and the economic development benefits from the state and city. We have a river preservation project. That’s all a powerful combination.”
Just an hour and a half from two of Colorado’s major ski destinations, Telluride and Silverton, Montrose is an alluring community to join as the median housing price is 30 percent lower than in the Denver metro area. Public lands also occupy nearly 70% of the land surrounding Montrose and the Western Slope, providing extraordinary access to mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as fly fishing, camping and backcountry skiing destinations.
The project will create an estimated 1,900 jobs and an annual payroll of $81 million in Montrose County. To find out more about this project, click here.
