Setting the Record Straight on False Claims and Misleading Attacks
GREELEY, CO –The Greeley Deserves Better campaign today responded to misleading claims made in a campaign finance complaint filed by supporters of the risky billion-dollar Cascadia financing scheme. The complaint represents a desperate attempt to distract from the overwhelming opposition to a deal that puts Greeley taxpayers at unlimited financial risk while guaranteeing millions in profits to a private developer.
Dan Wheeler, campaign co-chair and local business owner, issued the following statement:
"This week, Greeley voters delivered a loud and clear message in opposition to the risky Cascadia funding scheme by providing a record-smashing 9,000 petition signatures to give Greeley voters the opportunity to repeal the risky scheme this November. Rather than address why 87% of informed voters oppose their risky financing scheme, project supporters are manufacturing distractions.
"Let me be crystal clear: An army of volunteers engaged in the effort to repeal Ordinance 2025-15. Greeley Deserves Better, consisting entirely of and wholly funded by Greeley residents, operated alone and did not coordinate efforts with any other advocacy groups. Our signature gathering was conducted by our incredible volunteer team of over 50 Greeley residents, supplemented by professional services from The Field Group, a legitimate professional signature-gathering firm.
"The real issue remains unchanged: this deal puts over $1 billion in risk on taxpayers while guaranteeing the developer millions in profits every year regardless of project success. Greeley deserves better than a financing scheme that puts all the risk on the public while guaranteeing profits for a private developer."
Suzanne Staiert, campaign attorney and former Deputy Secretary of State, noted:
"These frivolous and laughable complaints were filed by groups hastily formed just this week and are transparently political. Allies of the city council are panicked and have launched a desperate attack designed to mislead voters and distract from the groundswell of opposition to the council’s risky Cascadia funding scheme, evidenced by this week’s record-smashing petition submission. They want to deny the voters of Greeley their legally sacred right of petition and silence their voices.”
The campaign emphasized that the complaints will have no effect on ballot qualification. The City Clerk is currently reviewing signatures, with 4,586 valid signatures needed to place the repeal before voters in November
Greeley Deserves Better Submits 8,993 Signatures to Repeal CASCADIA DEAL
Grassroots-led Effort Delivers Nearly 100% Above Required Signatures - Exceeds Nearly Half the Total Vote in Last Mayor's Race
Volunteer Army of 50+ Citizens Collects Majority of Signatures in Remarkable Show of Grassroots Opposition
(GREELEY, CO) — The Greeley Deserves Better campaign today submitted 8,993 petition signatures to the Greeley City Clerk asking that Ordinance 2025-15, the bad Cascadia deal, be placed on the November ballot for consideration by city voters. The remarkable total represents nearly 100% more than the 4,563 signature requirement and approaches nearly half of the 20,126 total votes cast in the last mayoral election.
In an extraordinary demonstration of grassroots engagement, more than half the signatures were collected by an army of 50+ unpaid volunteers during the campaign's brief 33-day signature-gathering period, reflecting the groundswell of community opposition to the Greeley City Council's financing scheme for the Cascadia/Catalyst project.
Ordinance 2025-15 authorizes a $1.1 billion financing plan for the Cascadia West entertainment district that mortgages 46 public buildings and exposes Greeley citizens to long-term debt and risk—no less than $25-30 million annually, regardless of project success.
Grassroots Movement Drives Historic Signature Total
"Today's submission demonstrates the power of grassroots democracy in action," said Dan Wheeler, local business owner and campaign co-chair. "While we engaged a paid signature gathering firm as insurance to meet our deadline in just 33 days, the real story is the remarkable volunteer effort. Over 50 unpaid volunteers collected the majority of these signatures because they believe Greeley deserves better than a billion-dollar deal that puts taxpayers on the hook for unlimited financial risk while guaranteeing millions in profits to a private developer."
Pam Bricker, former Executive Director of the Greeley Downtown Development Authority and campaign co-chair, emphasized the campaign's community focus: "After 30 years of working to build up this community, I've seen what happens when we make smart investments versus risky gambles. This volunteer-driven effort shows that when people understand this deal puts taxpayers on the hook for over $1 billion in risk while guaranteeing a private developer millions in profits, they want their voices heard. These aren't just signatures—they represent real Greeley families concerned about our city's financial future."
May Monahan, co-chair of the signature gathering effort, highlighted the volunteer achievement: "What we accomplished with volunteers in 33 days is truly remarkable. Citizens from every corner of Greeley—from the Stampede to coffee shops to grocery stores—stepped up because they care about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and fairness. This grassroots energy shows that when people understand what's at stake, they take action to protect their community."
Legal Analysis Confirms Repeal's Comprehensive Impact
Campaign attorney Suzanne Taheri of West Group Law + Policy confirms that the city's claims that repeal only affects the issuance of Certificates of Participation significantly understates the ordinance's scope and the comprehensive effect of its repeal.
According to Taheri's legal analysis, repealing Ordinance 2025-15 in its entirety would:
Rescind all ratification and approval of past agreements related to the Cascadia project
Terminate the City Manager's delegated authority for future financing and lease activities, requiring any future actions to receive explicit approval from Council or voters
Halt all specific authorizations for certificates of participation and their sale
Nullify approval of all project documents including the Site Lease, Ordinance Lease, and Indenture
"A repeal of the ordinance would rescind the approval of past agreements and stop future activity, including financing, unless there is a new approval by Council or the voters," states Taheri's memorandum.
The legal analysis notes that due to Colorado's TABOR requirements, even if agreements were executed prior to repeal, the City's obligations are subject to annual appropriation, and multi-year contracts attempting to bind the City beyond the current fiscal year are void or subject to annual re-approval without penalty.
"The repeal is far more expansive than city officials are suggesting," Wheeler added. "Our attorney's analysis makes clear it doesn't just stop the issuance of bonds—it rescinds the City's approval of this entire billion-dollar financing framework and requires starting over with proper public input and voter approval."
Strong Polling Support Continues
The campaign continues to build momentum after polling showed that 87% of likely Greeley voters support repealing the "Bad Cascadia Deal" in Ordinance 2025-15 after learning key facts about the deal. The poll revealed overwhelming bipartisan opposition:
Republicans: 81% support repeal
Democrats: 75% support repeal
Independents: 87% support repeal
Additionally, 92% believe the developer should provide financial guarantees, and 69% oppose the current financing approach altogether.
Next Steps
Today is the deadline to submit signatures to place Ordinance 2025-15 on this November's ballot. Upon verification of sufficient signatures by the clerk, the Greeley City Council can either repeal the ordinance or place the decision in the hands of the voters.
The campaign's signature gathering effort was supplemented by a professional program that collected 3,909 signatures as insurance to ensure the deadline was met. However, the majority of the 8,993 signatures submitted came from the dedicated volunteer petitioners who understood the stakes for their community.
"This represents democracy in action," concluded Bricker. "Nearly 9,000 Greeley residents signed because they want a voice in billion-dollar decisions that affect their city's future. Whether the Council repeals this ordinance themselves or lets the voters decide in November, Greeley residents have made their position clear."
For more information, visit www.greeleydeservesbetter.com or follow the campaign on social media.
NEW POLL DETAILS REVEAL OVERWHELMING VOTER OPPOSITION TO CASCADIA FINANCING ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS
A comprehensive scientific survey shows 87% of informed voters support repeal, with opposition spanning party lines and geographic areas
GREELEY, CO – July 20, 2025 – The "Greeley Deserves Better" campaign today released additional details from its comprehensive scientific poll conducted by Pulse Decision Science, revealing the depth and breadth of voter opposition to the Cascadia financing arrangement across all major demographic groups and political affiliations.
The poll was conducted by Pulse Decision Science from June 16-20, 2025. The study surveyed 376 likely Greeley municipal voters using text and live telephone operators, as well as random sampling methods drawn from the state voter file. The poll has a margin of error of ±5.1% and used probability proportionate sampling across age, party affiliation, ideology, gender, and ward representation to ensure all registered voters had a known chance of selection.
Opposition Transcends Traditional Political Divisions
After learning unbiased details about the financing details, support for repealing the Cascadia financing deal reached remarkable consistency across demographic lines:
Republicans: 81% support repeal
Democrats: 75% support repeal
Independents: 87% support repeal
Conservatives: 82% support repeal
Moderates: 81% support repeal
Liberals: 84% support repeal
"These numbers demonstrate that fiscal responsibility isn't a partisan issue," said a campaign spokesperson. "When voters learn that taxpayers bear unlimited liability while developers receive guaranteed profits, the response is overwhelmingly negative regardless of political affiliation. Notably, information about city revenue and job growth potential from the project had little impact on positive voter sentiment toward the project.”
Survey Response Patterns by Residential Tenure
The poll examined responses across residential tenure and found:
Residents 11-20 years: 80% support repeal
Residents 6-10 years: 79% support repeal
Residents 20+ years: 82% support repeal
Residents less than 5 years: 84% support repeal
Voter Response to Information
The poll tracked voter responses before and after receiving information about the financing structure:
Initial support for repeal: 36% support repeal, 42% oppose repeal, 21% unsure
Final support after full information for and against: 87%
Net movement: +51 percentage points
Electoral Implications
The survey also measured voter attitudes about the financing deal's impact on future elections:
69% of voters would be less likely to vote for candidates who supported the financing
87% say a candidate's position on this issue is important in determining their vote
79% would be likely to sign a petition to put repeal on the ballot
Overwhelming Demand for Developer Investment
Perhaps most telling, 92% of voters believe the developer should be required to invest their own money or provide financial guarantees for the project – a stark contrast to the current arrangement in which the developer bears no financial risk.
Campaign Moving Forward with Confidence
The campaign continues to collect signatures to place the repeal measure on the November ballot, with a deadline of August 6 to qualify. Volunteers are gathering signatures at locations throughout Greeley.
"This isn't about opposing development – it's about demanding fair deals that protect taxpayers rather than guaranteeing private profits," said the spokesperson. “When 92% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats agree on something, elected officials should listen."
City Violates Open Records Law, Lawyers to File Suit Over Cascadia Deal Documents
City's failure to comply with CORA deadline raises questions about transparency in billion-dollar financing arrangement.
GREELEY, CO – July 17, 2025 – The Greeley Deserves Better campaign announced today that the City of Greeley has violated Colorado's Open Records Act by failing to provide requested documents related to the controversial $1.1 billion Cascadia financing deal, despite their legal obligation to respond with the requested information within two weeks. This evening, the campaign's attorney filed a notice of intent to file suit on Monday to compel the city's compliance with state transparency laws.
The massive financing arrangement includes $115 million in Certificates of Participation secured by mortgaging 46 city buildings, approximately $832 million in bonds, $129 million through a General Improvement District, $55 million from water/sewer funds, plus a required $33.2 million annual reserve fund and guaranteed developer fees of $25-30 million.
"The city's refusal to provide these documents on time is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about what they're trying to hide," said Suzanne Taheri, attorney representing the campaign. "When taxpayers are being asked to shoulder over $1 billion in financial risk and unlimited liability for a private entertainment district—while the city mortgages essential public buildings as collateral—they have an absolute right to know exactly how this deal was negotiated and whether proper protocols were followed."
The Colorado Open Records Act request, submitted on June 12th and paid for on June 25th, sought comprehensive documentation about the Cascadia deal negotiations, including:
All communications with developer Martin Lind since January 2024
Travel records for city officials, including a controversial trip on the developer's private jet to Texas
Communications regarding project planning and negotiations
Property appraisals and zoning records
Any separation agreement for former economic development director, John Hall
Campaign Questions City's Transparency
"The fact that the city is now a week overdue in providing legally required documents about a $1.1 billion deal that exposes taxpayers to unlimited financial liability is unacceptable," said Taheri. "Citizens deserve full transparency about how such an unprecedented deal was negotiated, especially given arrangements like city staff being flown on the developer's private jet to view other projects."
The records request explicitly seeks to examine whether proper ethical protocols were followed during deal negotiations, including documentation of the private jet trip funded by developer Martin Lind that transported city officials to Texas.
Legal Action Imminent
"We will not allow the city to stonewall legitimate requests for transparency on a deal of this magnitude," said Taheri. "When you're talking about over $1 billion in taxpayer exposure and guaranteed developer profits regardless of project performance, Colorado's Open Records Act exists precisely to prevent this kind of secretive behavior by public officials. We will pursue all legal remedies to ensure these documents are released."
The Greeley Deserves Better campaign continues to gather signatures to place a repeal measure on the November ballot, with recent polling showing that 87% of informed voters support repealing the financing arrangement.
Group launches drive to repeal West Greeley financing plan
In the latest move by Northern Colorado voters to challenge municipal government decisions at the ballot box, a coalition of Greeley citizens plans to begin collecting signatures to put an item on the November ballot to repeal the City Council’s approval of the complex financing plan for a $1.1 billion sports and entertainment project on the city’s western edge, part of an ambitious development…
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Letters: West Greeley plan, help with air-conditioner
Turn down the West Greeley plan I am answering this week’s question, “Should the West Greeley financing plan be repealed?” Yes, I think it’s too risky for the city. Alan Dickerson, Greeley Unable to vote on Cascadia project This is the second time this has happened. The Tribune lets you vote on a topic.
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Greeley group opposing Cascadia financing begins gathering signatures
A group hoping that voters will repeal the Greeley City Council’s approval of the complex financing plan for a $1.1 billion sports and entertainment project on the city’s western edge won approval of its petition form from the city clerk’s office Friday.
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Pam Bricker and Dan Wheeler: Greeley deserves better terms for our future
Greeley has always been built by hardworking people who create their future through vision and smart investments. From our agricultural heritage to our role as the heart of Colorado’s energy industry, each generation has strengthened the foundation for the next. That’s why we’re concerned about Ordinance 2025-15 and the unprecedented financial risk it places on our hardworking community.
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Petition Approved: Signature Drive launched to Repeal Bad $1B Deal
GREELEY, CO — June 27, 2024 - The Greeley Deserves Better campaign announced today that the Greeley City Clerk has officially approved the petition form to repeal the “Bad Cascadia Deal” in Greeley Ordinance 2025-15, clearing the way for volunteers to begin collecting signatures immediately.
Ordinance 2025-15 authorizes a $1.1 billion financing plan for the Cascadia West entertainment district that mortgages 46 public buildings and exposes Greeley citizens to long-term debt and risk—$25-30 million annually regardless of project success.
Volunteers with the campaign will begin collecting signatures this weekend at the Greeley Stampede and continue throughout the city at coffee shops, grocery stores, and community events over the coming weeks.
“Today's approval finally gives Greeley voters a voice in this billion-dollar decision,” said campaign co-chair and local business leader Dan Wheeler. “Now that we have the green light, we’re hitting the ground running to ensure voters have the chance to reject this risky deal at the ballot box.”
“We’ve heard from hundreds of residents who are ready to sign — and now they can,” said Pam Bricker, longtime downtown business leader and co-chair of the campaign. “This is about protecting taxpayers, our budget, our future and our community’s voice.”
“We’ll be out in every corner of Greeley — from the Stampede to your favorite coffee shop,” said May Monahan, co-chair of the signature gathering effort. “We're excited to meet our neighbors at the Stampede and throughout the community to explain why this deal puts our city and fellow citizens at unnecessary risk. If you care about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and fairness, sign the petition and join us.”
The campaign has until August 6 to collect the 4653 signatures required to place the repeal on the November 2025 ballot.
Community members interested in volunteering to help collect signatures are encouraged to sign up at the campaign’s website: www.greeleydeservesbetter.com.
The campaign continues to build momentum after a recent poll showed that 87% of likely Greeley voters support repealing the “Bad Cascadia Deal” in Ordinance 2025-15 after learning key facts about the deal. 92% believe the developer should provide financial guarantees, and 69% oppose the current financing approach altogether.
Campaign Launches Initiative to Repeal Risky Cascadia Financing Deal
Petition Drive Begins Following Strong Polling Support
Signature Gathering will Start Next Week through August 6th
GREELEY, CO - June 17, 2025 - Today, a coalition of concerned Greeley citizens filed an initiative to repeal Ordinance 2025-15, which exposes taxpayers to over $1 billion in financial risk and unlimited liability for the controversial Cascadia West Greeley Project. The ordinance authorized the City to mortgage 46 essential public buildings—including City Hall, Police Department, and Fire Stations —as collateral for the private development. The campaign, operating under the name "Greeley Deserves Better," will begin collecting petition signatures upon approval of the petition form by the Greeley City Clerk, with a deadline of August 6th to qualify for the November ballot.
The initiative comes after recent comprehensive and scientific polling by Pulse Decision Science showed strong public support for reconsidering the financing arrangement. After learning details about the deal's financial terms and risks to taxpayers, 87% of likely municipal voters supported repeal.
Community Leaders Unite for Fiscal Responsibility
The campaign is co-chaired by Pam Bricker, former Executive Director of the Greeley Downtown Development Authority and founding member of the Greeley Creative District, and Dan Wheeler, a a multi-generational Greeley real estate leader with Wheeler Managmement Group, Inc. Both bring decades of experience in community development and fiscal management to the effort.
"After 30 years of working to build up this community, I've seen what happens when we make smart investments versus risky gambles," said Bricker. "This deal asks Greeley taxpayers to shoulder over $1 billion in risk while guaranteeing a private developer millions in profits regardless of whether the project succeeds. Greeley deserves better than a deal that puts our police stations, fire houses, and City Hall at risk to subsidize someone else's business venture."
Wheeler emphasized the campaign's focus on community unity: "This isn't about being anti-development or anti-progress. This is about ensuring that any major financial commitment of this magnitude serves the broader community and includes appropriate protections for taxpayers. When one developer gets guaranteed profits while taxpayers hold all the risk, it’s time to say: Greeley deserves better.”
Polling Reveals Strong Public Opposition to Current Deal
The initiative follows comprehensive polling that revealed significant concerns among Greeley voters:
69% oppose the current financing approach after learning details
92% believe the developer should be required to invest their own money or provide financial guarantees
78% would be willing to sign a petition to put repeal on the ballot
87% support repeal after hearing arguments from both sides
The polling also showed that 68% of voters would be less likely to support candidates who voted for the financing deal, and 87% consider the issue important in determining their November votes.
Key Concerns Drive Citizen Action
The campaign identifies several critical issues with the current financing structure:
Financial Risk to Taxpayers: The deal exposes Greeley citizens to unlimited liability exceeding $1 billion, with no cap on financial obligations if the project underperforms.
Essential Buildings at Risk: 46 critical city buildings, including City Hall, Police Department, and Fire Stations, have been mortgaged as collateral and could be lost if the city cannot meet debt obligations.
Developer Protected from Risk: While taxpayers bear all financial risk, the developer receives guaranteed fees of $25-30 million regardless of project success and provides no financial guarantees.
Deferred Infrastructure Needs: Essential projects like Recreation Center renovations ($250 million) and a new City Hall ($125-160 million) are being postponed to finance the entertainment district.
Democratic Process and Community Input
“Our city’s most valuable public assets are being used as collateral — and the public never got a vote,” said Pam Bricker, co-chair and longtime advocate for downtown Greeley. “We’re not against development. We’re against bad deals. Repealing this ordinance gives Greeley the chance to renegotiate a smarter, fairer plan. Our polling confirms that Greeley residents believe they deserve better than having this rushed through without adequate input."
The campaign emphasizes that repealing the ordinance doesn’t need to kill the project entirely but would force renegotiation of terms more favorable to taxpayers and potentially require a public vote on any revised proposal.
Signature Gathering Begins Next Week
Citizens will find petition signature gatherers at Greeley Stampede events starting next weekend and throughout the festival. The campaign must collect the required number of valid signatures by August 6th to qualify the repeal measure for the November municipal ballot.
"We're asking our fellow Greeley citizens to take a few minutes to learn about this deal and sign our petition if they agree that Greeley deserves better," said Wheeler. "This is about ensuring that major financial decisions serve our entire community, not just private developers."
Building a Better Future Together
The campaign stresses its commitment to Greeley's growth and development while advocating for responsible fiscal management.
"We all want Greeley to thrive and grow," said Bricker. "But growth should strengthen our community, not put our most essential services and buildings at risk. There's a better way to support development that doesn't require taxpayers to guarantee a private developer's profits while taking on unlimited liability.".