Project Area Highlights:

Thunder Village I, 2008 – 2033

The Thunder Village I Urban Renewal Area is focused on supporting coordinated, long-term development in partnership with the Thunder Village Metropolitan District through a reimbursement agreement.

The primary objective of this effort is to encourage thoughtful, sustainable growth in the area surrounding Colorado State University Pueblo. Key priorities include:

• Promoting pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development that complements the university and surrounding community
• Enhancing access, infrastructure, utilities, and public amenities to support current and future needs
• Encouraging private investment and addressing conditions of economic underutilization
• Improving public facilities, supporting job creation, and expanding retail and service opportunities

These efforts are intended to strengthen the area’s economic vitality while improving the overall quality of life for residents, students, and visitors.

Visitors and community members are encouraged to explore the Colorado State University Pueblo campus, attend events, and support local businesses and amenities that contribute to the continued success of the area.

Thunder Village II, 2020 – 2045

In 2020, the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority (PURA), in partnership with the ThunderVillage Metropolitan District, approved an amendment to the Thunder Village I Urban Renewal Area (established in 2008). While the original plan established a strong vision for development, broader market conditions following the 2009 Great Recession significantly impacted real estate development limiting the ability to fully implement that vision as initially intended.

As a result, PURA and its partners refined the project boundary to create a new, focused area dedicated to continued blight remediation and the revitalization of underutilized and partially improved land from the original project.

A principal goal of the amended plan is to extend critical infrastructure and public services to support both commercial investment and the development of a cohesive residential neighborhood. By prioritizing these foundational improvements, the Metro District aims to create conditions that better reflect current market realities while positioning the area for long-term growth.

Since adoption of the amended plan, progress has begun to take shape. Villa Bella Expeditionary School has located within the area, and the planned Villa Bella Subdivision—envisioned as a 731-acre residential community—represents a significant step toward realizing the project’s renewed vision.