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.