Berthoud Residents Debate Revere Development Proposal

Voter initiatives aim to limit residential growth and preserve commercial tax revenue

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:23pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty commercial lot on the edge of a small town, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of solitude and nostalgia.The proposed Revere development site on the outskirts of Berthoud has become a flashpoint for debates over the town's commercial tax base and residential growth.Berthoud Today

A Berthoud resident has written a letter to the editor expressing concerns about the proposed Revere development project on the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 287 and County Road 8. The resident argues that the development plan sacrifices potential sales tax revenue for the town, which is already facing a decline in sales tax receipts from 2024 to 2025. The letter urges voters to support two ballot initiatives - 1A to overturn the Trustee's approval of the project, and 3A to mandate a lower residential density that would make the lot unattractive for homes and preserve it for commercial use, which the town is said to badly need.

Why it matters

Berthoud is facing infrastructure funding challenges and needs to maintain or increase its sales tax revenue to support those needs. The Revere development proposal, which includes residential units, is seen by some residents as a threat to the town's commercial tax base and long-term financial stability.

The details

The letter writer argues that the Revere development plan deviates from Berthoud's existing comprehensive and land use plans, which previously called for no residences on the property. The writer also claims the developer's team 'cooked the books' on traffic impact and misrepresented findings from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Additionally, the town administrator is accused of personally adding a residential section to the property in the comprehensive plan, contrary to previous Trustee decisions.

  • The April 7 election will include voter initiatives 1A and 3A related to the Revere development.
  • Berthoud saw a decline in sales tax receipts from 2024 to 2025.

The players

Steven Kiepe

A Berthoud resident who wrote the letter to the editor expressing concerns about the Revere development proposal.

Berthoud Town Trustees

The town's governing body that previously approved a final development plan for the Revere property in 2010, explicitly stating that no residences would be allowed.

Berthoud Town Administrator

Accused of personally adding a residential section to the Revere property in the town's comprehensive plan, contrary to the 2010 Trustee decision.

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What they’re saying

“The developer's proposal for the Revere lot on the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 287 and County Road 8 sacrifices potential sales tax revenue despite Berthoud's sales tax receipt decline from 2024 to 2025.”

— Steven Kiepe, Berthoud Resident

“Voter Initiative 1A would overturn the Trustee's approval and stop the developer from building homes Berthoud doesn't need while limiting developer expenses for road improvements, etc. If residences are built on this lot, required infrastructure improvements will eventually become Berthoud's expense.”

— Steven Kiepe, Berthoud Resident

What’s next

Voters in Berthoud will decide the fate of the Revere development proposal by voting on Initiatives 1A and 3A in the April 7 election.

The takeaway

This debate over the Revere development highlights the tension between residential growth and commercial tax revenue that many small towns face. Berthoud's residents are weighing the long-term financial implications of the project against the developer's plans, underscoring the importance of aligning new development with a community's comprehensive vision and fiscal needs.