Fraser Economic Development

The small, funky, vibrant town of Fraser is a historic, creative community with world class outdoor recreation. We are growing, and we would love for you to grow with us.  Is your business the right fit for Fraser? If so, incentives may be available. 

What's Happening in Fraser


The Riverwalk District was rezoned to encourage mixed use development that encourages density and requires ground floor commercial along Clayton Court and Highway 40.

A Main Street initiative is underway along Clayton Court with grant funding of $1.5 million to help with infrastructure development.

Fundraising continues for The Fraser Center for the Creative Arts, which will serve as a call to create, an "icon" and an anchor for Main Street and Fraser downtown development. In 2024, the Fraser Board of Trustees deeded land on the north end of Clayton Court to Fraser Valley Arts, securing the Center's future home on Main Street Fraser.

175+ housing units and an early childhood center are now in development. Sitting adjacent to downtown, St. Louis Landing will provide much needed workforce housing within walking distance of local amenities and employers.

In early 2024 Simple Coffee opened in its new space on HWY 40 and Birdie Lounge joined the Fraser community!

Fraser's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was approved by voters in April 2024 and adopted a Development Plan for downtown Fraser in October 2024. The DDA Board is eager to get to work on projects to enhance Downtown Fraser!

Development continues in Grand Park with additional homes, a new hospital facility, and future commercial spaces under construction.

Ways to reach Fraser continue to expand! Home James, Grand Mountain Rides, the Bustang, Amtrak, and the Ski Train will all get you here without a car. Once here, the free LIFT bus service will keep you moving between Winter Park Resort and the Towns of Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby.  

Business Incentives are available to help welcome new business ventures to Fraser and Business Enhancement Grants provide support to current local businesses. 

For More information on economic development, contact Sarah Catanzarite, Assistant Town Manager & DDA Interim Executive Director at scatanzarite@town.fraser.co.us; 970-531-9930.

Riverwalk_District_Conceptual_2016
Plan of Development

Who We Are

Fraser is a small mountain community centrally located within the Fraser Valley in Grand County, Colorado, approximately 70 miles northwest of Denver. The community is rich in regional and local history, shaped by the lumber and railroad industries that first drew full-time residents to the area. Fraser offers the mixture of small town life, rural character, mountain living, and world class outdoor recreational activities. mapGCstate

Fraser remains less developed than other Colorado mountain towns, relatively preserved, true to its roots, and bursting with potential and opportunity. The  community recognizes the value of economic growth and encourages responsible development while placing a high priority on preserving the uniqueness of the Fraser Valley. 

Fraser’s central location along one of Colorado’s primary transportation corridors (US-40) is a key advantage to commercial prospects. US-40 provides convenient access to Colorado’s major Denver/Front Range metropolitan communities via I-70, as well as to Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake. 

Downtown Fraser sits adjacent to the Town of Winter Park, home to Winter Park Resort, Colorado’s longest continually operated ski resort. Winter Park Resort was acquired by Alterra Mountain Company in 2018. Since then the resort has invested in rebranding  as an international, four-season destination. 

Winter Park Resort is also the only Colorado ski resort accessible via train from the Front Range, with Fraser conveniently located as a stop on the Amtrack and Ski Train lines. With increasing passenger rail a key priority for the Governor's Office,  Fraser is excited to embrace this opportunity. 

On a busy day, Fraser may sees anywhere between 15,000 to over 20,000 visitors. With a number of those visitors coming from the Front Range, there is ample opportunity for loyal customers and repeat business.  As Denver and surrounding Front Range populations continue to grow, the Fraser Valley’s proximity as the closest premier ski resort to Denver, in combination with the international rebranding efforts for Winter Park Resort, will only result in steadily increasing traffic to the Town of Fraser.