The former Bandimere Speedway is on course to become a car sales centre

Bandimere Highway owners and the city Morrison are taking steps toward annexation and commercial redevelopment on 125 acres against Colorado’s Hogback rock formation in the foothills of the mountains on the southwestern edge of metro Denver.

Instead of hot rods screaming down as fast as 300 km/h Bandimeer‘s quarter mile of concrete stripthe country is on its way to becoming ‘a pioneering online vehicle auction centre’.

Drag racing ended in October after owner John Bandimere Jr. decided to sell the property, saying the track needed more space and ending a 65-year tradition. He has said he hopes to reopen in 2025, perhaps at a location nearby Denver International Airport.

Code part, a $52 billion Dallas-based company that manages auto sales, has entered into a contract to buy the site. Cars, trucks, boats and industrial equipment declared “summated” by insurers would be stored and handed over to new owners. About 20 employees would work in a building that oversaw the sale, according to a proposal submitted to Morrison on May 5 by the Baseline Corporation on behalf of Bandimere and Copart.

“The area east of the hogback is targeted for intensive development that would expand Morrison’s tax base,” the filing said.

Morrison City Council members formally approved the proposal on Tuesday application, filed by Bandimere, after staffers recommended approval. Board members directed staff to hold a mandatory public hearing on the proposed annexation on August 6.

The property is nestled among more than 2,160 acres of open space in Jefferson County. Cyclists and hikers flock to the area’s trails, including a trail along the hogback spine above the former highway. “However, we only heard that the property was available after it was under contract,” Jefferson County open space spokesman Chris Barker said. “We can’t do anything about it since they sold it. We don’t have much say in it.”

Jefferson Counties schedule director Chris O’Keefe said annexation would give Morrison control of the Bandimere site, which has long been zoned for commercial activity in the surrounding open space. If Morrison were to ask for comment, Jeffco officials would point out that this zoning allows for redevelopment. “We would also talk about the background area of ​​the Front Range foothills,” O’Keefe said. “We would certainly remind them of the natural aspects of the property which we hope they will also take into account.”

Copart officials and Bandimere owners did not respond to requests for comment.

Their annexation proposal acknowledges “challenging topography.” There is no water or sewerage on site.

Copart has also committed to working with Morrison on commercial development, including new buildings, on about 20 acres south of the highway that was used for parking, the application said.

Compared to drag racing events, the proposed use of the land would involve less traffic, lighting and noise, the application said. Billboard signs would be removed. “Copart use will have limited hours with no weekend traffic,” the filing said, “and vehicle pickup will be by appointment only” with “limited water and sewer requirements.”