T
he University of Denver took home the coveted Tracey Wilkes NAIOP Cup at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge (RMREC), hosted by NAIOP Colorado and presented by Land Title Guarantee Company. Blue Jay Development, the winning team from the University of Denver, wowed judges and a packed audience with their comprehensive redevelopment plan for the Thornton Shopping Center site, a transformative project in the heart of South Thornton.
The final event, held at the Seawell Grand Ballroom on April 30, showcased innovative proposals from graduate students at both the University of Denver and the University of Colorado Boulder. The challenge invited students to reimagine a 15.6-acre city-owned site with a rich history, once the original retail and social hub of Thornton.
Blue Jay Development's "Thornton Gateway" concept proposed a bold, phased redevelopment strategy anchored by a mix of retail, wellness, residential, and community-serving uses. Key highlights included:
* 238 multi-family units balanced across studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments
* A thoughtful site layout prioritizing walkability, activation, and multi-modal transportation
* A catalytic anchor grocery and food + beverage mix featuring a food incubator, brewpub, and coffee roaster
* Use of Opportunity Zone financing, TIF, and public-private capital stack strategies to support the $96.8 million total project cost
The University of Colorado Boulder's Three Peaks Collective delivered a compelling vision for "Miller's Market" – a vibrant, mixed-use district centered around a lively public plaza and community-first design. Highlights included:
* A 40,000 SF central plaza framed by The Barns and Rooftop Row dining and retail experiences
* A fitness collective, affordable apartment housing (90% AMI), and for-sale townhomes to encourage diverse housing options
* Projected 25-year tax revenue of $45M, 200+ jobs, and 800,000 annual visitors
The city plans to use the concepts presented during the Challenge to help shape and inform its RFP strategy for the site, with real potential for student visions to influence future development.
