CREATE Community: Building a Vibrant Downtown in Westcliffe and Silver Cliff

Jordan Hedberg is the editor of The Wet Mountain Tribune, an honest-to-goodness weekly newspaper that addresses the past, present, and future of the community where I live. In the latest edition, Hedberg published a cautionary tale reminiscent of suburbia — homes built on the outskirts of downtown, far from Main Street. But his caution wasn't aimed only at cities and urban sprawl. It was a realistic look at the neighborhoods being built on the edges of rural towns like Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. Hedberg's diagnosis is clear: "Unless we start bolstering our downtown areas..." the same fate could follow.

Mixed-Use Zones

In Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, the sidewalks roll up by 8 p.m. — with a few exceptions. Tourism and part-time, seasonal residents make up a significant portion of the population, and the local economy runs on arts, culture, recreation, and services. Jobs are still found in town, but at the end of the day, many of the employed head home to the ranch or a townhome near one. In-town opportunities, while limited, hold real promise.

Entrepreneurship in mixed-use areas on and around Main Street represents the kind of enterprise zone that can sustain both a Main Street and an agrarian economy. Education and entrepreneurship for future generations is also a viable model. On Saturday, I spoke with Reggie Foster — the local director of 4-H and Colorado State University Extension — about community gardens and demonstration xeriscaping projects in town. The local garden club, Emergent Campus, and Custer County Schools, together with Valley Parks, Recreation and Youth, could partner with Landing Well and the towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe for ongoing community projects on Main Street.

TAG Teams: Think and Action Groups

The Colorado Chapter of The Leadon Foundation is reaching out to community leaders and entrepreneurs to engage in discussions through local integrated boards called TAG Teams — Think and Action Groups that invest time and funds into local challenges related to the home economy, home ecology, and hometown entrepreneurial solutions. These are the backbone of mixed-use development and a thriving Main Street.

To be part of this new adventure, contact: richardbeattie809@gmail.com