UCCS Hotel & Conference Center — REOI Portal

UCCS is one of the most innovative and collaborative universities in the Rocky Mountain region. Home to more than 11,000 students and seven colleges, the campus has built a reputation for innovation in business, engineering, health sciences, education, and the arts. Its faculty and programs are deeply integrated into the fabric of Colorado Springs—a city consistently ranked among America’s best places to live, work, and visit. UCCS’s spirit of collaboration and public-private partnership has made it a catalyst for regional progress, from health innovation at the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center to the creative excellence showcased at the Ent Center for the Performing Arts.

For potential development partners, UCCS offers not only a strong institutional anchor but a proven track record of delivering complex projects with vision and discipline. The University’s leadership team and the (501c3) UCCS Development Corporation are experienced in structuring successful public-private partnerships that balance long-term mission alignment with sustainable private investment. This foundation creates a uniquely low-risk, high-impact environment for firms ready to collaborate on a project that will serve students, faculty, visitors, and the broader community for decades to come.

Responding to this REOI means more than building a hotel—it means partnering with a university that’s redefining how higher education and community development intersect. UCCS’s West Campus represents the physical and strategic front door to that transformation. For qualified firms, this is an opportunity to deliver a landmark project in collaboration with an engaged, stable public partner—one that brings vision, land, institutional credibility, and long-term alignment to the table.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs sits at the north end of one of the most significant redevelopment efforts in the state of Colorado—the North Nevada Avenue corridor. This 500-acre area, stretching from downtown Colorado Springs to the UCCS campus, is transforming into a dynamic hub for education, innovation, health, hospitality, and community engagement. Supported by the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority, the corridor represents a long-term investment in sustainable growth and economic vitality for the Pikes Peak region.

UCCS’s planned hotel and conference center will be among the first major private developments to anchor this transformation. Its strategic location positions it as both a gateway to campus and a cornerstone of the city’s northern redevelopment strategy. The project offers respondents an opportunity to be part of a broader vision that integrates university expansion with mixed-use commercial, cultural, and residential development along North Nevada Avenue.

Beyond the hotel itself, the corridor is envisioned as part of a collaborative ecosystem linking university programs with community partners, health systems, technology startups, and industry leaders. The future North Nevada district will connect education and enterprise, creating a walkable environment where hospitality, learning, and innovation coexist. For development and hospitality partners, participation in this project means joining a multi-year initiative that will shape how Colorado Springs grows—socially, economically, and architecturally.

For interested firms, the hotel and conference center project offers more than a development opportunity—it’s a chance to help define the physical and economic future of Colorado Springs. With access to a growing campus community, expanding arts and health districts, and a city committed to reinvestment, the North Nevada corridor represents an ideal setting for a signature destination that reflects UCCS’s mission of innovation, partnership, and regional impact.

The proposed hotel and conference center sites on UCCS’s West Campus offer panoramic views of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, direct access to North Nevada Avenue, and proximity to the Ent Center for the Arts (one of the region’s premier cultural venues), the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center (a “City For Champions” project), and UCCS athletic facilities. This location is the nexus of campus, community, and commerce, serving as both a gateway to the university and a visible symbol of its connection to Colorado Springs’ broader economic future.

Our proposed locations sit at the north end of the reimagined North Nevada Avenue corridor – a vibrant 1.6-mile stretch between the University and the city’s Old North End - that will combine education, hospitality, recreation, and innovation. The hotel and conference center will anchor this area – one of Colorado Springs most promising areas for redevelopment and growth. Its setting provides an unparalleled opportunity for guests to experience the beauty of Colorado’s Front Range while engaging directly with one of the most forward-thinking campuses in the state.

The preferred site is on the north end of campus with strong visibility and convenient access to North Nevada Avenue and I-25. The site is currently occupied by the UCCS softball field and is directly north of the Ent Center for the Arts. Drone footage on this page illustrates the context and adjacencies.

UCCS anticipates a full-service hotel with conference and event capabilities. Final scale, room count, and program mix will be informed by respondent concepts, feasibility, and alignment with campus needs.

The University is open to creative, market-tested structures (e.g., ground lease, JV, creditworthy operating partners) that balance risk, ensure public-sector transparency, and deliver long-term value.

Key dates and submission requirements are detailed in the REOI. Updates and addenda (if any) will be posted to this portal and communicated to registered respondents.

Design, circulation, utilities, parking, and operational coordination will be guided by campus standards and stakeholder engagement to ensure seamless integration with academic and community uses.