Franchise Opportunities in Colorado Springs, CO

When it comes to the commercial real estate industry, large, box-like warehouses and distribution centers aren't as flashy as new-to-market fast-food restaurants, gleaming office buildings or trendy shopping centers.

But industrial buildings increasingly are in demand among e-commerce retailers who want to have a place to store and ship merchandise, with the goal of speeding its delivery to nearby customers who've made online purchases.

Now, one suburban Denver company plans to develop a multi-tenant distribution center on Colorado Springs' east side, which it expects will be the first of multiple projects in the area.

Representatives of Triumph Capital Group of Greenwood Village have submitted a proposal to Springs officials to build a 265,274-square-foot distribution facility on nearly 18 acres southwest of Powers Boulevard and Platte Avenue. Triumph paid $4.2 million for the property this year, El Paso County land records show.

The company, which acquires and develops warehouses and distribution centers and has facilities in Denver, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio, believes the time is right to expand to Colorado Springs, said Paul Ruff, Triumph's founder and managing partner.

"There's been a movement over the past several years to move inventory closer to population densities so that delivery can be more efficient and quicker," Ruff said. "There is an interest in the logistics industry to service Colorado Springs from Colorado Springs, rather than servicing it from Denver."

The desire on the part of retailers and other businesses to sell products online and ship them quickly to local customers has accelerated over roughly the last decade.

Online giant Amazon now has its fulfillment centers and smaller sorting and delivery facilities nationwide; it opened a 3.7 million-square-foot fulfillment center near the Colorado Springs Airport last year, where it stores and ships products throughout the Springs and southern Colorado.

Smaller retailers, too, want facilities to warehouse and ship their products, while homebuilders and other construction companies need storage space for materials they haul to job sites.

Many shopping center, apartment and office developers cite the Springs' strong economy, desirability as a place to live and available workforce as reasons they expand to the area.

Ruff acknowledged Triumph wouldn't consider Colorado Springs if it didn't have a decent economy and growing population. Yet the company's focus on developing in the Springs is more about providing distribution facilities for retailers than the city's quality of life, he said.

"We're in the business of helping retailers and logistics companies get products to people rather than trying to say, gee, 'we want to put down roots and this is a good place because we want to attract a bunch of good employees,'" Ruff said. "That's not really what our customers, our tenants are looking for. They're just trying to figure out the best way to get stuff to people that want it."

Triumph expects to house multiple tenants — possibly three or four — in its Colorado Springs distribution facility, which still could change in size and scope, Ruff said. It won't be Triumph's last distribution center in the Springs area; when the company enters a market, it tries to build a critical mass of facilities, he said.

The company's distribution center will be built as a speculative project — without users already in place — though Triumph has spoken to companies with whom it has "deep relationships" and who could be potential tenants, Ruff said.

A smaller parcel that's part of Triumph's land purchase at the site also could be developed as a build-to-suit project for a specific user, he said.

Triumph likes the east side site because it provides access to the city from multiple directions on major roadways, such as Powers and Platte, Ruff said.

Triumph also was attracted to the site because of a Platte Avenue improvement project that will add a signalized intersection at Space Center Drive, Ruff said.

The company plans to extend Space Center Drive south to its site, which will create a competitive advantage and make it easier for vehicles to exit and deliver products around the city, he said.

In a best-case scenario, Triumph plans to break ground in October and deliver the building to tenants around August 2023, Ruff said.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Two Colorado Springs neighborhoods in different parts of the city were on high alert Thursday as crews battled two fast-moving fires. One of those fires was deadly.

The first fire sparked before noon in an area near Stetson Hills on the northeast side of the city. Crews were called out to a neighborhood near Stetson Hills Boulevard and Anna Lee Way. That fire scorched an estimated 30 acres, damaged fences, damaged about 20 homes, and no structures were lost. About 500 homes in the area were evacuated, impacting about 1,000 people. Evacuation orders were lifted for the fire near Stetson Hills Thursday evening. The fire has since been 100 percent contained. Multiple people were treated on scene for smoke exposure. Investigators believe the fire was started by smoldering ashes from someone’s fire pit. Joshua Allen was served and released for “firing woods or prairie,” a felony.

Soon after the first fire, another fire was reported in a neighborhood near Pulpit Rock miles away. At about 2:30 p.m. CSFD provided an update on the fire at the Skylark Mobile Home Park. At that time, CSFD was reporting the Skylark fire was 100 percent contained after eight mobile homes were destroyed and propane tanks caused flames to reach up to 50 feet. Evacuation orders were still in place in the latest update and were expected to remain in place overnight.

“After an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the fire at 3831 N. Cascade, the only ignition source our fire investigators are not able to rule out is the improper disposal of smoking materials. As a result, this fire will be ruled as accidental,” according to CSFD.

On Friday, 11 News partner the Gazette confirmed with the El paso County coroner that the body of one person was found at the Skylark Mobile Home Park. The identity of that person has not been publicly released. Capt. Mike Smaldino with the Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed the tragic update with 11 News.

Click here for information on a different fire southeast of Colorado Springs in the Security-Widefield area.

Click here for information on a fire that was burning in Teller County.

Copyright 2022 KKTV. All rights reserved.

A California real estate investment company that's unabashedly upbeat about Colorado Springs has paid a record price to acquire its fourth local apartment complex, bringing its total investment in the city to nearly $290 million over the last two years.

Benedict Canyon Equities of Los Angeles last week bought the 108-unit Pines at Broadmoor Bluffs apartments, northwest of Broadmoor Bluffs Drive and Neal Ranch Road on the city's far southwest side.

The company paid $49 million to purchase the apartment complex from an investment group headed by Springs real estate company Griffis/Blessing, which bought the property in October 2015 for $20.3 million, El Paso County land records show.

Benedict Canyon's per unit purchase price of $453,704 is the highest ever in Colorado Springs, beating the previous record of $393,393 that was set in late 2020 with the sale of downtown's Blue Dot Place apartments.

"When you talk about the price, nothing demonstrates your resolve, your belief in a market more than stepping up on price," said Jim Rosten, Benedict Canyon's co-founding principal.

Colorado Springs' strong economy, quality of life and growing population are the city's obvious traits, Rosten said. But the Springs offers more, he said, including friendly people and a receptive climate for businesses and investors.

"From a business perspective, Colorado Springs, I think, was one of the best kept secrets," Rosten said. "It's not a secret anymore. ... It's a great place to do business, I feel. So we're bullish on Colorado Springs. We will continue to be bullish on Colorado Springs.

"Once you start scratching below the surface, you really get a vibe there," Rosten added. "It's a neighborhood town. It's not a big city that's become impersonal. I can contrast it with where we live here in Los Angeles."

Los Angeles also is a tough place to do business, he said.

"We have just crazy politicians here and because of that, we're not going to invest in our own backyard," Rosten said. "I'm building here, but I'm not buying existing product here. It's just too hard to do business.

"I think Colorado Springs is more receptive, especially to quality owners," he said. "That's the real story behind it all, I think. It's a better place to invest, it's a better place to live, frankly. I would live there. If I can get out of here, I might."

Rosten said he expects Benedict Canyon will purchase three to four more Colorado Springs apartment properties, which the company typically buys with the idea of upgrading them and increasing their value.

In December, Benedict Canyon paid $82.5 million for The Vue at Springs Creek, a 280-unit apartment complex on the city's south side, county land records show. In 2020, the company also paid $86.8 million for the 332-unit, northeast-side Champions Apartments and $69.3 million for the 292-unit Advenir at Springs Canyon in northwest Colorado Springs, which has been renamed Artemis at Springs Canyon.

At the Pines at Broadmoor Bluffs, built in 1987, Benedict Canyon plans to spend $2 million to $3 million on interior and exterior improvements, Rosten said.

"The property itself has a lot of upside to it," Rosten said. "With some fresh dollars put into it, I think it will even be that much better. The location is superb, obviously, near The Broadmoor (the five-star hotel on the southwest side). Anything you can get near there is superb."

Kevin McKenna, an executive vice president with the Denver office of national real estate firm CBRE, said the Pines at Broadmoor Bluffs is in a quiet residential area where few apartments have been built over the last 20 years.

The property has larger, 1,100-square-foot units that each have a garage, which also made it appealing. CBRE, which represented Griffis/Blessing in the property's sale, had almost 20 offers for the property, said McKenna, who was joined in marketing the property by CBRE's Saul Levy, Mackenzie Walker and Jessica Graham.

Benedict Canyon is one of several real estate investment or development companies that have set their sights on Colorado Springs in recent years as an attractive apartment market.

Its growing population and healthy economy have triggered a strong demand for apartment living. In turn, that's led to record-high rents — an average of nearly $1,500 a month in the first quarter, a report showed last week — and low vacancy rates, which investors and developers covet.

Griffis/Blessing, which sold the Pines at Broadmoor Bluffs, pools together investment groups to acquire apartments. The company and its investors then upgrade the properties and increases rents before they're sold, typically after seven to 10 years.

At the Pines at Broadmoor Bluffs, Griffis/Blessing replaced building roofs, windows and garage doors, painted the exterior and performed mild upgrades to about one-third of the units and the clubhouse, said Gary Winegar, the company's investment services president.

Though interest rates and borrowing costs are going up for buyers and investors, Winegar said he still expects apartment properties to sell for top dollar. Many groups have money to spend, and as long as the Springs adds jobs and wages increase, investors will be interested, he said.

"There's so much equity out there that has been raised to invest in apartments already," Winegar said. "Today ... with this uncertainty we've got going on right now, people are interested in buying hard assets, like real estate."

Below is a list of the top and leading Wedding Supplies Store in Colorado Springs. To help you find the best Wedding Supplies Store located near you in Colorado Springs, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Colorado Springs’ Best Wedding Supplies Store:

The top rated Wedding Supplies Store in Colorado Springs, CO are:

Party City is America’s favorite party store for birthday party supplies, baby shower favors, Halloween costumes, and more. Get everything you need for theme parties, wedding receptions, retirement celebrations, and sporting events at a discount. Party City is the largest party retailer in the United States, with over 850 locations offering a wide range of general and seasonal party goods.

For thirty years, they’ve been in the party industry, evolving from a single location to a well-known national chain. Birthdays, Halloween parties, baby showers, and holiday celebrations are all catered in their Albuquerque retail location.

Products/Services:

Balloons, Wedding Receptions, Party Supplies, Birthday Party Supplies, Graduation, Holidays, Themes, Occasions, Personalization, Halloween Store

LOCATION:

Address: 3036 New Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80922 Phone: (719) 623-4826 Website: www.partycity.com

REVIEWS:

“Each time I’ve visited this Party City, I have had a great experience with the staff. They have exceptional customer service! They even gave my 2-year-old daughter a free balloon!” – Heather P.

David’s Bridal is International retail prices, promotions, and products may vary. When visiting davidsbridal.com, international shoppers will find items available for online international purchases displayed in their preferred currency. During checkout, the whole international purchase price, including additional charges for shipping, duty, and taxes, will be displayed. Items that are not available for international purchase are presented in US dollars and reflect retail prices and promotions in the United States. They are pleased to make their wedding and special occasion products available to customers all over the world.

Products/Services:

Bridal Gowns & Bridal Party Attire, Special Occasion & Party Dresses, Ceremony & Reception Items, Wedding Party Gifts

LOCATION:

Address: Academy Shops, 7320 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Phone: (719) 262-0988 Website: www.davidsbridal.com

REVIEWS:

“Great dress selection, but I had to write a review because of how well our stylist, Lacee, took care of us. 10/10 for David’s Bridal hiring good staff. My sister found a dress she loved but wanted bishop (poofy/mesh) sleeves. Lacee, completely on the fly, ran in back and made a sleeve out of extra material, clips, and a hair tie! Even if my sister doesn’t end up buying that dress, it was so worth it to go in. Thanks, Lacee!” – Rebekka K.

Bruno’s Party Time Rentals has grown to be one of the largest rental companies serving the Rocky Mountain Region. They have the largest rental inventory in Colorado, with accessible locations in both Denver and Colorado Springs. As a result, we will gladly supply all events. While their passion, expertise, knowledge, inventory, fleet, and employees have increased over the years, their philosophy that all events are special and significant, regardless of size, has remained constant.

Whether you’re planning a little dinner for two or a major outdoor festival for over 10,000 people, their Tent & Event Specialists are glad to learn more about your event and assist you in selecting the best and most appropriate equipment.

Products/Services:

Weddings, Festivals & Large Events, Corporate & Business, Energy & Construction, Dinners & Backyard Parties

LOCATION:

Address: 740 S 8th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 Phone: (719) 634-1212 Website: www.partytimerental.com

REVIEWS:

“We rented a stage to act as the table for a Sofreh Aghd. They worked with the venue to deliver and pick up. It was one of the few things we had to even think about. In wedding planning that means mission accomplished.” – Joseph S.

Five Star Decor, inc. provides decorations for thousands of events for twenty-five years, their clients rely on Five Star Decor to create an environment to elevate their event, no matter the type, location, or size, to a higher level. Their objective is to create events that represent our clients’ personalities, complement the venue, and stay under budget. Offering a free consultation to tailor a proposal for your unique occasion and then following up on the specifics ensures stress-free, delighted customers.

Products/Services:

Weddings, Special Events

LOCATION:

Address: 310 Tia Juana St Ste B, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: (719) 390-0255 Website: www.fivestardecor.com

REVIEWS:

“I had Nancy design my wedding reception at the Cheyenne mountain resort with drapes, chair covers, lighting, table linens, rosette linens, and a chandelier. Nancy did an amazing job with listening to exactly what I wanted and creating my dream reception decor! We spoke multiple times on the phone to make sure we were on the same page. At times it did take Nancy a while to call me back, however, I understand the wedding industry and how busy it can be. Overall I was very please with the outcome and would recommend Nancy to all brides looking for a decor vendor.” – Kinsey L.

Colorado Party Rentals has been providing the Rocky Mountain Region with unique, high-quality products for 15 years. They want to make every event for their clients ideal, and they work relentlessly to make their vision a reality. They achieve this by providing individualized service in their showroom and prompt, responsive phone and email communication. They also provide additional on-site support.

They take pride in providing a wide range of selected rentals, including premium linens, exquisite china, and glassware, as well as tables, chairs, tents, and lounge settings. Their designers and seasoned industry specialists will ensure that you have everything you need to make your event one remember for both you and your attendees.

Products/Services:

Weddings, Special Events, Tenting

LOCATION:

Address: 890 Elkton Dr #101, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 425-2637 Website: www.cpartyrentals.com

REVIEWS:

“As a wedding planner, I’ve worked with them many times and never had a bad experience. They’re always very helpful and accommodating!” – Marea J.

Sarah has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications online. As a business expert, Sarah reviews local and national businesses.

THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ON EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED IN COLORADO SPRINGS ON MAY 12, 2022.

Updated: April 23, 2022 8:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service says high winds and fire danger continue Saturday, even as temperatures are expected to be lower. Though not as widespread on Friday, much of southern Colorado remains under a red flag warning. Fire danger remains high throughout the region.

Evacuations in eastern El Paso County in the area of Peyton Highway to Highway 24 were lifted less than an hour after they went in place.

The fire on U.S. Forest Service land in Otero County was contained by 3 p.m. Friday after burning more than 5 acres. Forest Service and county resources had responded.

Our original story follows below.

On a day forecast to have extreme fire danger across the eastern half of Colorado, at least four fires broke out in southern Colorado on Friday.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office evacuated people in Peyton Friday around 7 p.m. due to a fire on Highway 24.

In Teller County, the sheriff's office evacuated residents from the Colorado Mountain Estates near Florissant, west of Woodland Park, due to a wildfire burning in the area around 6 p.m. Friday.

Earlier in the day, a small, 2-acre fire broke out on U.S. Forest Service land in Otero County, and another north of Lamar, on the Eastern Plains,

In Colorado Springs, the Silver Charm fire triggered mandatory evacuation orders for 500 homes in The Farm subdivision near Interstate 25 and Interquest Parkway. The fire was first reported around noon.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department said the fire was caused by "illegal hot work" during burn restrictions, likely welding.

The grass fire sparked around 12:30 p.m. About 120 firefighters worked to contain the blaze, which did not destroy any homes or buildings.

By around 2 p.m., the Colorado Springs Fire Department said the fire was under control. Evacuations were lifted by 4 p.m.

Current estimates put the fire at 17 acres. At last update it was 75 percent contained.

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