Erie officials highlighted continued population growth, new business openings and several major development projects during a “State of the Town” event early Tuesday morning.

The event, hosted by the Erie Chamber of Commerce, drew local business owners and residents to Erie Social Club on Wells Street. Mayor Andrew Moore, who delivered remarks, answered questions from the audience alongside Town Manager Malcolm Fleming. Several Erie Town Council members said they had not been aware of the event, and almost all did not attend, aside from the mayor and Councilmember Dan Hoback.

Erie’s estimated population reached about 42,000 in 2025, up roughly 4% year over year, Julian Jaquin, the town’s economic development director, told the crowd of dozens. That growth marked a slowdown from the previous year. From 2023 to 2024, Erie’s population jumped by roughly 9%, a surge that helped put the town on one list as the 15th fastest-growing city or town in the country among those with populations of 20,000 or more.

Population growth has fueled new business activity, Jaquin said, with about 20 new businesses having opened in Erie in 2025.

One example Jaquin pointed to is Cellar West Brewery, based in Lafayette, which held a grand opening at a new location on Briggs Street in October, adding what he called a “very homey” brewery to Old Town Erie.

Erie’s commercial inventory is currently about 95% to 97% occupied, leaving little available space, according to Jaquin.

“There’s not enough commercial space in Erie — and not enough affordable commercial space,” he said, but he pointed to ongoing developments.

Downtown and Town Center projects
Downtown projects are moving through planning and permitting, including a proposed Italian restaurant planned for the former Gaucho de Argentina empanadas space on Kattell Street. The restaurant group behind Johnny Bechamel’s, tied to Denver-based Dio Mio and Redeemer Pizza, is seeking permits for a renovated interior and patio for that space.

Across from Erie Social Club, Erie’s Urban Renewal Authority recently purchased property at Wells and Kattell streets. The site is slated for a roughly 10,000-square-foot mixed-use development that could feature a full-service restaurant, an ice cream shop, a bakery and retail spaces. The development would mark the first new commercial project in the Historic Old Town area since 2021, according to the town.

Officials also provided updates on the town-owned property at the northwest corner of Erie Parkway and County Line Road, part of the Town Center development area. The town is working with Evergreen Devco on a plan that includes retail and a grocery store, along with potential hotel space, according to the town.

The first retail phase of that project is estimated to cost about $43 million, according to the town. Financing agreements approved by the Town Council include $1.9 million in support through increment tax revenue and additional funding for undermining work related to historical coal mining in the area.

Jaquin said the town has a verbal commitment from a potential grocery store tenant at that site, with a lease expected to move forward later this year, though he didn’t say which company.

More growth ahead

Additional commercial development is planned near the intersection of Erie Parkway and County Road 5, where several national chains including Chipotle and McDonald’s could begin construction soon, Jaquin said.

In the Erie Municipal Airport area, construction is underway on the second phase of the Flight Business Park, which would add about 170,000 square feet of flex industrial space.

Moore also said the town is exploring ways to market Erie during the Sundance Film Festival, which is expected to relocate to Boulder County in 2027. With thousands of visitors expected to travel to the region for the festival, Moore said Erie could help ease lodging pressure while also bringing new visitors and economic activity into town.

Fleming noted people from around the world would travel to the area for Sundance.

“We’ll be looking for ways to help bring some of that energy here,” Fleming said, adding that more information would be shared as plans develop.