Front Range Path of Progress...

[Joe Garretson]

Like the post title says, where is the Front Range headed? The I-25 corridor can be considered built out for the most part in my opinion. Houses are $400k and up between Denver and Fort Collins. South between Castle Rock and the Springs has boundaries that won't allow development so there will always be a gap there. What about east? Is it heading up I-76 towards Fort Morgan, Brush and so on? Does that area grow next? Is it out I-70 to Bennett and Strasburg?

So if you're an investor with $20k burning a hole in your pocket, where do you go? Buy a cheap property out east? Go south to Pueblo? Go to a market outside the state? Throw it on Carvana stock and hope to catch a good run? Forget the metrics we all like to chase... what would you?

[Jordan Malara]

I personally would focus less on trying to guess where the next path of progress will be and more on where the new paths of progress are already beginning to form. Then, in tandem with that knowledge, use foundational investing principals to decide on the best one that fits your timeline and goals. For example, there are areas within Colorado Springs that are within the future path of progress when the Drake Power Plant gets removed and the area gets built back up, but this is a 10+ year investing play. For the time being, this area is very industrialized and run down. There are other areas within the Springs that will see gentrification much quicker, such as the South Tejon/Ivywild district, as government incentives have spurred rapid new development in the area. All that to say, it depends on your timeline, investment strategy, and overall goals. For me, I'm choosing to make steady investments on the westside and downtown areas of the Springs because of the value add opportunities and I'm bullish on the future growth of the area.