Big Changes Could Be Coming to Morrison Near Red Rocks and Bandimere Speedway

If you've driven past the old Bandimere Speedway along C-470 lately, you've probably wondered what's going to happen with all that land. The drag strip closed in 2023, Copart purchased the property, and now Morrison has some plans of its own for a piece of it.

And they're not talking about another apartment complex or a typical shopping center.

The town wants to see a hotel, grocery store, shops, and possibly an entertainment venue on approximately 16 acres near the Morrison Road interchange. It's an interesting location, especially with Red Rocks Amphitheatre just up the road and thousands of concertgoers passing through during the warmer months.

But there's quite a bit that needs to happen before anyone starts building.

What's Planned Near Red Rocks and Bandimere Speedway?

On October 6, 2026, Morrison's Board of Trustees voted 5–1 to move forward with Red Rocks Gateway LLC as its development partner. The town had another offer on the table from Bear Creek Development Corporation, which wanted to purchase the property for $5.5 million.

Morrison passed on the money.

Instead, the trustees chose an arrangement that allows the town to retain ownership and have a much bigger say in what gets built. That's important in a place like Morrison, where development has always been a balancing act between bringing in business and keeping the town from looking like every other commercial corridor around Denver.

The competing proposal also included housing. Bear Creek had initially considered roughly 400 residential units before reducing that number to 50. Morrison wasn't interested in adding more homes to the plan, and the Red Rocks Gateway proposal is commercial only.

The proposed hotel is probably the most interesting part. Red Rocks draws visitors from all over the country, and while there are plenty of places to stay farther into the metro, lodging closer to the amphitheatre could be attractive to people coming in for concerts.

A grocery store is another possibility, along with restaurants, retail shops, and a smaller entertainment venue. The idea isn't to compete with Red Rocks, but to give people more reasons to spend time in Morrison.

And that brings up something the town has been dealing with for years.

Morrison Needs Business Beyond Concert Season

Anyone who spends much time around Morrison knows how different the town can be depending on the time of year.

On a summer concert night, traffic backs up, restaurants are busy, and downtown can be packed. Head through Morrison on a cold weekday in January and it's a completely different experience.

Here's something not everyone realizes: Red Rocks Amphitheatre is actually owned and operated by the City and County of Denver, not Morrison. But Morrison benefits tremendously from being the gateway to one of Colorado's most recognizable attractions. Concertgoers pass through town, stop for dinner, visit local businesses, and contribute to an economy that depends heavily on tourism.

And you don't need a concert ticket to enjoy Red Rocks. The amphitheatre and surrounding park are generally free to visit during public access hours. On concert days, visitors can typically explore the amphitheatre until around 2 p.m., although closing times can vary depending on the event. It's worth checking the official Red Rocks calendar before heading up.

Red Rocks is a major part of the local economy, but concerts don't fill the calendar all year. The park still attracts hikers, sightseers, and people exercising on the amphitheatre steps during the winter, just nowhere near the crowds that show up for a sold-out concert.

That's one reason Morrison wants businesses that can attract customers regardless of what's happening at the amphitheatre.

A grocery store would give nearby residents another shopping option. Restaurants and retail could bring in people from Lakewood, Littleton, and the surrounding foothills communities. A hotel might also attract visitors who want to spend a weekend exploring the area rather than simply attending a concert and heading home.

There's already plenty to do around Morrison, from Dinosaur Ridge and the trails at Red Rocks to the restaurants along Bear Creek Avenue. Adding businesses near C-470 could expand those options without putting everything into the small downtown area.

Of course, there's a difference between having a good idea for a development and actually getting it built. And this particular property has a problem that isn't going to be cheap to solve.

The Water Problem at the Former Bandimere Speedway

Here's something that might surprise people who only knew Bandimere as a place to watch drag racing: the property operated for decades without the kind of permanent water and sewer infrastructure you'd expect at a major commercial facility.

I spent years racing karts at Action Karting on the Bandimere property. Great views of the foothills, plenty of wind, and pretty basic facilities. We didn't even have permanent restrooms. Anyone who spent much time out there knew water was an issue.

That becomes a much bigger deal when you're talking about building a hotel, grocery store, and restaurants.

Copart's plans for much of the former speedway involve vehicle storage and automotive auction operations. Those uses don't require nearly as much water as a hotel or a large residential development, which helps explain why the property can be reused without the same level of infrastructure investment.

The proposed commercial development is another matter.

There are existing utility lines in the surrounding area, but connecting the property to adequate water and sewer service will require additional planning and expense. Morrison's own planning documents have identified the cost and feasibility of extending those services as issues that still need to be worked out.

Red Rocks Gateway is looking into those questions now. Until there's a better understanding of the costs, it's difficult to know how quickly this project could move forward.

So When Will Construction Start?

Don't expect to see a hotel going up next spring.

The 16 acres are still tied to Copart's larger development plans, and the land transfer to Morrison hasn't been completed. Red Rocks Gateway also has to work through engineering, utilities, financing, and the actual development design.

The agreement provides time for the developer to study whether the project is feasible and prepare a more detailed plan. The town will have opportunities to review that work before anything moves toward construction.

As of October 2026, there are no confirmed tenants, no construction start date, and no announced opening.

Still, it's a pretty substantial change for an area that spent more than 60 years being associated with drag racing. Bandimere was a landmark along C-470, and plenty of people have memories of watching races there or hearing the cars from miles away.

What eventually replaces part of that property will look considerably different.

Whether Morrison gets the hotel, grocery store, and entertainment destination it's hoping for remains to be seen. For now, the town has chosen the direction it wants to go. Getting the infrastructure in place and finding businesses willing to invest will be the next big tests.

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