Thank you for your interest in the 2026 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event! See more information below about the event itself and the hotel!

If you would like to inquire about sponsorship or programming questions, please call Downtown Colorado, Inc. at 303-282-0625 or contact us.

Thank you!

IN THE GAME | Hotel Options + Event Schedule

Event Dates
Pre-Game Activities – Tuesday, March 31
IN THE GAME – Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3, 2026
Guests may add 1–2 nights before or after these dates at the same group rates (based on availability).

PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES | March 31
• Pre-Game Tours + Reception
(For IN THE GAME attendees – sign up when you select your menu in March)
• Full-Day Concurrent Workshops
(Separate registration required)

• Small Developer Workshop
• Colorado Challenge Accelerator Workshops

• SpringHill Suites Grand Junction Downtown / Historic Main Street – $169/night
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Grand Junction Downtown / Historic Main Street – $159/night
• Tru by Hilton Grand Junction Downtown – $159/night
• Hampton Inn Grand Junction Downtown / Historic Main Street – $149/night

WHAT IS “IN THE GAME”?

IN THE GAME is a Vibrant Downtown Event that combines community problem-solving and cutting-edge ideas about what is next for downtowns and our state. This unique event will get participants out of their seats and into the host community, where they will explore the places and projects that vibrant downtowns love to see.

We invite you to join the fun and to learn and share at our 26th Annual IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event on April 1-3, 2026, in Grand Junction, Colo.

CHECK OUT THE PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE HERE

DCI’s IN THE GAME experience provides valuable educational opportunities and peer-to-peer exchange for the leaders of Colorado’s communities who are responsible for economic and community development. The event annually features nationally recognized keynotes and Colorado-based speakers with the shared goal of inspiring participants to action.

DCI’s fun and diverse Dine-Around Lunch Sessions, get participants out of their seats and showcase Downtown Grand Junction, and Challenge Workshops, which allow community champions to share insights and solve challenges together, will be part of the program again. IN THE GAME, Grand Junction will also feature some cutting-edge ideas about what is coming next for downtowns and our state.

This year, we are hosting two Pre-Event Workshops on March 31st, and we are starting IN THE GAME on April 1. The Pre-Event Workshops include (please register for these separately):

• Small Scale Developers Program  for small developers making a big impact. Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) is launching an exciting new Small Scale Developer Program in partnership with Jim Heid of Building Small to empower Colorado’s “accidental developers” and equip them with the tools, training, and confidence to bring locally-driven projects to life.

• The Colorado Challenge Accelerator Program will be a one day exploration of the 2026 Challenge Communities to enhance and expand the feasibility of their projects and objectives. The Challenge Workshop will partner with KSU TAB, CDPHE, and DCI’s private sector partners to work with communities. We welcome participation from partners and communities who are willing to dive in deep to the 2026 Challenges and sign up to review their projects in advance as they work to turn their catalyst site challenges into opportunities that strengthen their local economies.

Stay tuned to DCI’s website and newsletters for details on speakers, lunches, tours, Challenge Studio topics, and all things IN THE GAME!

Session Menu Options
Quick reference of selectable session options, grouped by day and time block.
TUESDAY | March 31 | PRE-GAME FUN

TUESDAY | March 31 | 9:00 AM-8:00 PM | PRE-GAME WORKSHOPS (Registration Required)]

+ Colorado Challenge Accelerator Workshop | Sponsored by CDPHE + KSU TAB
+ Small Developer Coach Workshop| Partially funded by USDA Rural Development
PRE-GAME TOURS | 3:30-5:00 PM | Depart from outside of Springhill Suites Front Door
+ Don’t Shush Us! Mesa County Libraries Does Things Differently in Serving the Community.
Celebrating 125 years as a library in Mesa County, join us to learn all the things that make
the library successful, unique and something to brag about. Tour highlights include the
modern 970West Studio, the Adult Learning Center, valuable partnerships, and plans for
future expansion. Topics also cover specific challenges of a downtown location and
showcase the library’s most popular services and resources offered to the community.
+ Museum of the West: History + How It Happens. Explore more than a thousand years of
Western history—ride in a stagecoach, “fly” a 1958 Cessna, see Ute and Fremont art, visit a
one-room schoolhouse, and step into the Pastime Saloon. IN THE GAME attendees may
visit anytime, or join a scheduled guided tour to go behind the scenes and learn how the
museum operates, curates exhibits, and sustains its funding as a community asset.

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | SCHEDULE OF FUN

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | 8:00-10:30 AM | Morning Plenary | Grand Junction Convention Center
+ Welcome to Grand Junction. Take a moment to learn how downtown supports community
vision and serves as a partner in creating a place people love.
+ So Goes Agriculture, So Goes Main Street. Exploring the relationship between agriculture,
rural economies, and downtown vitality.
+ Sacred Places, Shared Futures. Why culturally significant places matter—and how
protecting and redeveloping them strengthens communities.
+ Cultivating Prosperity, Not Just Building Projects. Not all growth is good growth—and not
all costs show up on day one. In this concise, data-driven session, Kevin Shepherd unpacks
the true fiscal impacts of development decisions, helping communities understand what
they’re really committing to over time. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in
engineering, planning, and municipal finance, Kevin challenges conventional assumptions
and offers practical frameworks for prioritizing investments that strengthen long-term
resilience, neighborhood vitality, and attainability.
+ Downtown + Broadband. Explore the role of digital infrastructure in supporting inclusive
economic development and resilient downtowns. Brandy Reitter

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | TOURS + WORKSHOPS | 10:30AM-12:15PM

+ Unpacking the Dynamics of Coloradoʼs Population, Economy + Downtowns: Explore the
key population and economic trends shaping Colorado—with a sharp focus on what they
mean for downtowns and commercial districts. We’ll examine how growth patterns,
workforce shifts, housing trends, and sector changes vary across regions of the state, and
how those dynamics are influencing retail, office demand, small business development,
and public investment. Walk away with insights to help position your downtown for
long-term resilience and opportunity.
+ Built to Belong: Creating a Creative District Through Collective Art: Creative Districts
arenʼt just planned — theyʼre experienced. In this interactive session, Chelsea Gilmore will
help participants create art that will be installed on Main Street.
+ Saving the Station: Sponsored by Colorado Historical Foundation, this tour will explore the
reimagining of the 1906 GJ Union Depot: A visit the work-in-progress redevelopment, the
history, dynamic redevelopment process, and the vision for this future community asset.
+ Lights, Curtain, Action! Asteria Theatre at CMU: Hop on board for a two-hour mobile tour
to explore the brand-new, state-of-the-art Asteria Theatre at and downtown–campus
connections.
+ From Soil to Sip: A Century of Stewardship at Talbott Farms: This four-hour bus and
walking tour offers an immersive look at Talbott Farms—tastings that bring the full story
from soil to sip. 4 HR MOBILE TOUR + LUNCH (10:30 AM-2:15 PM)

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | DINE AROUND LUNCHES | 12:30-2:00 PM

+ Framework to Encourage Local Development. Uncertainty slows projects. Misalignment
stalls investment. But when clarity and collaboration lead the process, development
becomes predictable—and productive. Drawing from multiple community case studies,
including recent work in the Town of Center, this session explores how policies, land use
codes, and development review procedures can either create friction or encourage
progress. Participants are encouraged to bring a “funky,” outdated, or confusing code
provision from their own community for live discussion. Bohannan Huston

+ Building Partnerships That Unlock Complex Sites. Transforming underutilized and
brownfield sites takes more than vision—it requires the right organizational structure to

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

align public leadership, private investment, and long-term stewardship. Join Ayres
Associates for a focused lunch conversation on how communities can form and manage
effective public-private partnerships to tackle complex redevelopment projects. Whether
launching a new entity or strengthening an existing one, this session offers practical
guidance to help your partnership turn tough sites into catalytic opportunities.

+ The Capital Cocktail: Financing Small Development Projects. Financing small
development projects is unlike bigger, institutional projects due to the lack of scale and
institutional grade offer. It often takes more players and more layers to make a small deal
work, and more nuanced packaging and relationships. This panel will explore several
Colorado-specific tools for financing smaller projects including historic tax credits,
community banking, and state agency programs. Using a moderated discussion format
our panelists will share key programs available to Small Developers, and the do’s and
don’ts of a successful pitch.
+ Turning Temporary into Transformational: Before the capital campaign, before the ribbon
cutting—there’s Phase 0. Sponsored by MIG, this lunch session explores how temporary
activations can spark long-term change. Drawing from real-world projects in Denver,
Buffalo, and Houston—spanning streets, parks, and intersections at varying stages of
implementation—we’ll highlight how low-cost, tactical moves can test ideas, build
momentum, and unlock investment. Learn how incremental improvements and creative
partnerships can turn “just starting” into catalytic community impact.
+ Dynamic Ownership Models for Building Community Wealth. What if downtown
revitalization didn’t just attract investment—but built lasting local wealth? This lunch
session explores practical tools for advancing employee ownership, community-owned
real estate, and live-work spaces that keep dollars and decision-making local. From
worker co-ops to community land trusts and shared commercial ownership models, We’ll
highlight strategies that stabilize small businesses, expand attainable live-work
opportunities, and strengthen long-term economic resilience. Thriving downtowns aren’t
just built—they’re owned.
+ Powering Local Spending – Exploring Community Rewards Programs. Cities, towns, and
downtown organizations can incentivize local spending at scale. Join this interactive lunch
discussion to explore real-world case studies, measurable results, and how communities
are turning everyday transactions into economic development wins.
+ Data to Deal: Using Numbers to Move Tough Projects Forward. Challenging projects—like
brownfield redevelopment, catalytic infill, or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts—often
stall when the numbers feel uncertain or the risks seem too high. Join EPS for a practical,
case study–driven lunch exploring how data can clarify tradeoffs, build consensus, and
unlock action. From financial feasibility and fiscal impact analysis to market studies and
TIF structuring, this session will highlight how Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs)
and local leaders are using data to evaluate risk, align stakeholders, and move complex
projects from concept to construction. Learn how the right analysis—at the right time—can
transform skepticism into strategy and turn ambitious ideas into achievable outcomes.

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

+ From Blight to Bright. Join us for a combined lunch and tour that will explore two
redevelopment projects and highlight how the support from brownfields technical
assistance can support a project. The lunch will dive into an under-construction gathering
place plaza, while the tour will take a behind-the-scenes walking tour of The Junction,
downtown Grand Junction’s newest housing development. This guided experience
explores how a long-vacant former City Market site was transformed into a vibrant,
modern 256-unit apartment community in the heart of downtown. Participants will walk
the site and learn about the vision, development process, challenges, and community
impact of delivering downtown housing—and why projects like The Junction are critical to
successful downtown revitalization.4 HR TOUR + LUNCH (12:30-4:15 PM)

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | AFTERNOON TOURS | 2:30-4:15 PM

+ Creative by Design: Public Art, Events, + Grand Junction’s Cultural Commitment.
Creativity is embedded into Grand Junction’s downtown identity. This two hour walking
tour highlights the city’s commitment to arts and culture through the Creative District, the
Art on the Corner program, and a robust calendar of events that activate Main Street
throughout the year. Learn how public art is selected, managed, and sustained, and how
these efforts collectively foster a creative culture that supports local artists, engages the
community, and makes downtown a place people want to return to again and again.
+ Don’t Shush Us! Mesa County Libraries. Celebrating 125 years as a library in Mesa County,
join us to learn all the things that make the library successful, unique and something to
brag about. The tour highlights include the modern 970West Studio, the Adult Learning
Center, valuable partnerships, and plans for future expansion. Topics also cover specific
challenges of a downtown location and showcase the library’s most popular services and
resources offered to the community.
+ From Grain to Glass: Inside Ramblebine Brewing. Step inside Ramblebine Brewing and
Rockslide Brew Pub for a two-hour walking tour that takes you from grain to glass.
Participants will explore the brewery’s production spaces, hear the story behind the craft
and brand, and learn how a locally owned brewery contributes to downtown energy and
culture. The experience includes guided tastings, conversation with the brewery team, and
time to connect craft brewing, place, and community.
+ Downtown Cocktail Class. Explore the world of craft cocktails with a course for would be
crafters! Two personalities explore the impact that a single spirit makes in a recipe. A
mojito for example- rum, lime, sugar, mint. What if we switched the spirit to gin? Or
tequila? Even whiskey? The class encourages guests to swap out spirits in recipes that they
might not expect to work with other spirits. Something that is often done in the craft
cocktail realm.

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

WEDNESDAY | April 1 | 5:00-7:15 PM | Evening Plenary Session
Live Auction | Mesa Theater
Three Dinners (start at 7:30PM)
+ Community Conversation Dinner
+ URA or District Dinner (Invite Only)
+ KARAOKE | 8:30-9:30 PM | Quincy’s

THURSDAY | April 2 | SCHEDULE OF FUN

THURSDAY | April 2 | PLENARY | 8:30-10:30 AM | Convention Center
+ Welcome to Grand Junction
+ Engaging Youth in Leadership. How communities can build leadership pathways and
authentically engage young people in shaping downtown futures.
+ Proof of Progress: What’s Working in Downtowns (and How to Do More of It).
Communities across Colorado are navigating complex challenges, yet downtown leaders
are delivering real progress. In this interactive session, BID and DDA leaders will each
share one practical “nugget of wisdom,” followed by a moderated, solutions-focused
discussion with audience participation. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and
renewed momentum for the year ahead.

THURSDAY | April 2 | 10:30 AM-12:15 PM | Concurrent Sessions | Depart from Convention
Center
+ Plug + Play Retail: How to Launch a Downtown Pop-Up Program (And When Not To) with
Molly Alexander. Pop-ups can turn empty storefronts into buzz-worthy destinations — fast.
They spark energy, support local entrepreneurs, and give downtowns a low-risk way to test
new ideas. But here’s the truth: sometimes the best strategy isn’t launching a pop-up at
all. In this practical (and candid) session, we’ll walk through the real-world playbook for
creating a downtown retail pop-up program — from securing space and recruiting
businesses to marketing, managing risk, and measuring impact. We’ll also talk about
when a pop-up program makes sense… and when it doesn’t. You’ll leave with tools,
templates, decision-making frameworks, and lessons learned so you can confidently
determine whether a pop-up is the right move for your community — and if it is, how to do
it well.
+ Main Street as a City Park: Designing Experience. Grand Junction’s Main Street functions
as more than a corridor—it’s a city park in motion. This two hour walking tour explores how
and why Main Street came to be managed as a park, including the role of Parks and
Recreation in maintenance, budgeting, and long-term stewardship. We’ll look at how trees,
gardens, lighting, and playful installations are intentionally designed and cared for to
enhance the experience of the canopy and urban fauna, creating a downtown that is both
functional and joyful year-round.

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

+ Turning Toward the River: Grand Junction’s Riverfront Story. Join us for a mobile tour to
explore how Grand Junction turned its face back to the river on this guided tour of Las
Colonias, Dos Rios, and The Eddy. This immersive experience highlights how strategic
investment, partnerships, and placemaking have transformed the Colorado Riverfront into
a connected system of parks, development, and community gathering spaces.
Participants will learn how these projects came together, the economic and quality-of-life
impacts they’ve generated, and what’s next as the riverfront continues to evolve.
+ Vines, Views + Vitality: The Palisade Development Tour: A Deep Dive into Agritourism,
Innovation, and Colorado’s Premier Craft Culture. Experience the blueprint for successful
rural revitalization in the heart of Colorado’s fruit and wine country. Hosted by the
Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) and the Town of Palisade, this
immersive tour explores the strategic intersection of agritourism and community planning.
From data-driven strategies to combat retail leakage to the complexities of water security
and riverfront activation, participants will gain first-hand insights into how Palisade
balances “smart growth” with its deep agricultural roots.4 HR MOBILE TOUR AND LUNCH
(10:30 AM-2:15 PM).

THURSDAY | April 2 | DINE AROUND LUNCHES | 12:30-2:00 PM | Depart from Convention
Center

+ From Master Plan to Funding: Securing Grants and Donor Support for Community
Projects. Join GOCO and DHM Design for a lively lunch discussion as we explore inspiring
case studies from small-town communities across Colorado! We’ll take a deep dive into
community master planning, uncovering funding opportunities, and leveraging grants to
turn visions for local streetscapes, wayfinding, and recreation projects into reality. This
session will highlight how small communities can champion change and bring local
initiatives to life through smart planning, thoughtful design, and public engagement.
Whether you’re a town planner, business owner, or outdoor enthusiast, this lunch will serve
up fresh ideas and inspiration on how collaboration and design can transform your
community’s outdoor spaces!
+ Downtown, Let’s Make It Official: Structuring Success with BIDs, DDAs + Smart Planning. Is
your downtown ready to level up? Join P.U.M.A. for a practical conversation about when
communities move from informal efforts to more structured tools like a BID, DDA, or formal
downtown plan. We’ll explore funding, governance, and how to determine the right next
step to build sustainable momentum.
+ Lighten Up! Letting Retail Breathe to Promote Downtown Vibrancy. Hear from veteran
downtown management practitioner, Sarah Wiebenson, now founder and principal of
Boulder-based Grounded Collaborative, about the strategies and programs she has
developed over the years to promote retail vibrancy, and emerging approaches to
addressing persistent retail vacancy drivers.

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

+ Main Character Energy: Storyliving + Storytelling through Film in Colorado Downtowns.
An exploration of CO’s film ecosystem and what that means for downtowns across the
state.
+ Capital That Circulates: Revolving Loan Funds for Local Business. Strong downtowns need
strong small businesses—and access to capital makes the difference. Join Colorado
Enterprise Fund (CEF) to explore how revolving loan funds can fill financing gaps, support
entrepreneurs, and keep local dollars working in your community. Learn how flexible
lending tools help build a more resilient and inclusive local economy.
+ Gettinʼ TIFfy Wit It. (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na – A Tax Increment Finance Remix)
This high-energy talk breaks down Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and how communities
use it to turn bold ideas into reality. From downtown revitalization to unexpected
projects—yes, even a gondola—we’ll explore how future tax growth funds today’s
development. Whether you’re a policy wonk or just TIF-curious, come learn how cities get
creative (and sometimes controversial) when they start gettin’ TIFfy wit it.
+ On the Route: Connecting Downtowns + Colorado Byways. Join the Colorado Byways
Program for a working lunch on how downtowns can better connect with their nearest
scenic byway. Explore simple strategies to attract travelers, strengthen local storytelling,
and extend visitor stays—plus learn about the new itinerary marketing program designed
to help communities package and promote authentic local experiences.
+ ReUsing Buildings for the Creative Economy. Join us as we explore the concept and
realization of adaptive reuse projects, considering the site, fundraising, and tenanting. This
lunch will be a pre-meeting prior to the tour of Creative Redevelopments in Action to
explore the concept and realization of adaptive reuse projects, considering the site,
fundraising, and tenanting. 4 HR Lunch + Tour (12:30-4:15 PM)

THURSDAY | April 2 | AFTERNOON TOURS | 2:30-4:15 PM | Meet outside of SpringHill
+ Main Street Remix: Innovation, Ideas + Iconic GJ Stories. Main Street isn’t just a street—it’s
Grand Junction’s living room. On this two-hour walking tour, sponsored by the Grand
Junction Downtown Partnership and led by local thought leader Zebulon Miracle,
participants will stroll Main Street and explore the ideas, experiments, and community
choices that shaped it. From public art and trees to retail and gathering spaces, this tour
dives into how Main Street became a functional, beautiful city park—and how it continues
to evolve.
+ Sweet Streets: Chocolate, Craft + Colorado Flavor. Enjoy a two-hour walking tour that
starts with an inside look at Enstrom Candies, exploring the history and craftsmanship
behind their iconic toffee. We’ll then wrap up at Carlson Vineyards with a wine and
chocolate tasting that celebrates local flavor, legacy businesses, and downtown
connection.
+ Retail Roots + Rising Stars: A Grand Junction Downtown Tour. Take a walk through the
heart of Grand Junction and discover what keeps its downtown retail scene thriving. This
guided tour along Main Street and Colorado Avenue blends legacy businesses with fresh
startups, showcasing the mix of history, hustle, and hometown pride that fuels a successful

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DOWNTOWN COLORADO, INC. IN THE GAME 2026 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
district. Meet business owners, hear their Western Slope stories, and see how strategic
support—from façade improvements to district partnerships—helps retailers grow and
adapt. Stops include longtime favorites like Triple Play Records and Working Artists Studio,
alongside newer ventures like Garvey’s Gardens, Colorado Cool, and Gear Junction. Come
explore the secret sauce behind a resilient downtown—one storefront at a time.
+ From Grain to Glass: Inside Grand Junction’s Brewing Culture. Step inside Ramblebine
Brewing and Rockslide Brew Pub for a two-hour walking tour that takes you from grain to
glass. Participants will explore the brewery’s production spaces, hear the story behind the
craft and brand, and learn how a locally owned brewery contributes to downtown energy
and culture. The experience includes guided tastings, conversation with the brewery team,
and time to connect craft brewing, place, and community.

THURSDAY | April 2 | Power of Story Telling + Colorado Downtown Excellence
Awards | 4:30-7:00 PM | Mesa Theater
Join us as Colorado Public Radio interviews three of our awards finalists and then we host an
awards’ celebration.
7:30PM | DINNER ON YOUR OWN | Anywhere you like! Historic Lowell School Food Trucks have
specials if you wear your nametag!
8:30PM | AFTER PARTY | Good Judy’s

FRIDAY | April 3 | PLENARY | 9:00-11:00AM | SpringHill Suites
+ Understanding Colorado and the Grand Valley. A local historian shares some fun history
and how it has impacted development, character, and downtowns in Colorado and in
Grand Junction.
+ Regional Downtown Strategy Playoffs. A fun regional strategy session where participants
join facilitated roundtables to tackle downtown challenges, share ideas, and exchange
practical strategies. Light competition and prizes add energy while helping peers leave with
useful takeaways and new regional connections.

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