Baca County Economic Development Commission

10/17/2026

🚨 IT’S HAPPENING TODAY! 🚨

🏢 OPEN DOORS SPRINGFIELD! 🏢

Have you ever driven past an empty building and thought, “What if…?” 🤔💡

Today is your chance to find out!

Ten buildings, marked with the banner pictured, will be open for YOU to walk through, look around, dream a little, and imagine the possibilities! ✨

☕ Could it become your dream coffee shop?
🛍️ A boutique or retail store?
🍕 A restaurant or gathering place?
💼 The home of your growing business?
🎨 Or something completely different that our community hasn’t even thought of yet?

What do YOU want to see in our community? What could YOU make these spaces become?

Maybe you’re already running a business and have been dreaming about moving into a storefront. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start something of your own but just haven’t found the right place. Or maybe you’re simply curious about what’s possible right here in Springfield!

Come explore, ask questions, and visit with the building owners and realtors. Three of the buildings are available for rent! You never know what opportunities might be waiting until you open the door and start the conversation. 🙌

📍 MAPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW at Longhorn Steakhouse and the Plainsman Herald building!

Grab a map, gather your friends, bring your ideas, and come see what’s possible! You don’t have to have it all figured out — sometimes the best ideas start with simply walking through a door. ❤️

Let’s dream BIG, support local business, and imagine what the future of our community could look like!

👇 Now tell us in the comments: What kind of business or space would YOU love to see in Springfield?

10/16/2026

🎉 TOMORROW IS THE DAY! 🎉

Open Doors Springfield is happening TOMORROW! 🚪🏡

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore a building or two, discover what’s behind those doors, and imagine what could be next! You never know what you might find, what ideas might spark, or what opportunities could come from simply taking a look. 💡

Whether you’re dreaming about starting a business, looking for a new space, or just curious about what’s available in our community, this is your chance to explore the possibilities!

📍 Need a map or more information? Baca County Economic Development will be set up inside the Plainsman Herald building at 849 Main St. with maps and additional information to help you make the most of your day.

🗺️ Maps will also be available tomorrow morning at the Longhorn Steakhouse.

🎀 The fun doesn't stop there! Join us at 2 PM for the Saddle & Sage Mercantile ribbon cutting and Grand Opening! Come help us celebrate this exciting new addition to our community and show them some local love! 🛍️👏

🍂🍻 And starting at 2 PM, it's time for Oktoberfest! So make a day of it! Explore local buildings, celebrate new opportunities, and stick around for even more community fun!

📣 Spread the word! Tell your friends, bring your family, invite a potential business owner, and come see what Springfield has to offer!

🕙 Doors open at 10 AM TOMORROW!

Let’s get out, explore, share ideas, and see what exciting possibilities we can uncover together. You never know what one open door could lead to!

10/16/2026

Almost just ONE day left until Open Doors Springfield! 🏢💡

I had a great conversation today with a handful of high school seniors, and I walked away encouraged by their insight, creativity, and ideas for the future of our community!

One thing they’d love to see? More food and entertainment options on Main Street!

🍦 What about an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain?

🏌️ What about a place with a couple of different sports simulators, some light food, and a fun atmosphere for friends and families to gather?

🎯 What about a unique entertainment destination that brings together axe throwing, darts, sports simulators, and other interactive activities—all under one roof?

Those are just a couple of ideas, and they got me thinking… What other possibilities could we bring to life on Main Street?

A new business? A unique gathering place? Something Springfield doesn’t have yet but would love to see?

Sometimes, all it takes is walking through an empty building to spark an idea. Maybe the space you tour will inspire your next big dream, business venture, or investment in our community!

👀 Come see the possibilities for yourself!

📅 Open Doors Springfield 🗓️ Saturday, October 17 ⏰ Self-Guided Tour begins at 10 AM

Bring your curiosity, your imagination, and your ideas. Who knows what might take shape when we start looking at these spaces not for what they are today, but for what they could become?

Springfield’s next great idea might be yours! 🙌

10/14/2026

⏰ Less than 3 days to go! 🎉

The Open Doors Springfield Tour is happening this Saturday, October 17th, and we can’t wait to see you there!

📍 Stop by the Baca County Economic Development Commission (BCEDC) booth at the Plainsman Herald building, 849 Main St., to pick up lending information and your Open Doors Springfield tour maps.

🏡 The tour is self-guided, so you can explore at your own pace! Start wherever you’d like, check out one building, or visit every location that’s open. It’s completely up to you! Check out the image below for more details.

📅 Saturday, October 17th | 10 AM–1 PM

But the fun doesn’t stop there! 👇

✂️🛍️ 2 PM – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at Saddle & Sage Mercantile! Join BCEDC in celebrating this wonderful new local business, located right next to the old Plainsman Herald building.

🍻🎶 Then head over to Lost Dog & West 9th for Oktoberfest! Enjoy live music, tons of vendors, and activities throughout the rest of the afternoon.

There’s so much happening in Springfield this Saturday! Bring your friends, support local businesses, explore our community, and make a day of it! ❤️

We’ll see you Saturday! 🙌

10/13/2026

🚪✨ Just 4 more days until Open Doors Springfield! ✨🚪

Who's excited?! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ We sure are! We can't wait to welcome you as you explore these unique properties, look inside and out, and see where inspiration strikes! 🏡💡 You never know what ideas might spark when you step inside a space full of possibility!

📍 The final tour map is here! There are 10 properties included in the Open Doors Tour, each offering a chance to explore, imagine, and dream about what's possible for these buildings and our community.

But wait, there's more! 👀 While a few additional buildings for sale weren't able to be included on the official tour, you can still learn about other available properties!

🏠 Be sure to stop by 189 E. 9th Street, just off Main Street, and visit with Paula Wright exp Realty to learn more about other properties available for sale in Springfield!

Whether you're looking for inspiration, interested in the future of these buildings, or simply curious to see what's behind the doors, we hope you'll join us!

🎉 And there's even more to celebrate! In honor of Open Doors Springfield AND Oktoberfest, we're celebrating with a special 7% cash back promotion through the Baca Benefits Open Rewards app! 🙌 It's a great opportunity to explore our community, celebrate local happenings, and enjoy a little extra back along the way. 💰🍂

🗓️ Only 4 days to go! Grab your friends, check out the final map, and get ready to explore Springfield with us!

10/08/2026

🚪 We’re just 10 days away from Open Doors Springfield!

💡 Did you know?
Baca County is located in an Enhanced Enterprise Zone.

Enterprise Zones are economically distressed areas designated by the Colorado Economic Development Commission based on factors such as unemployment rate, population growth, and/or per capita income. Colorado has 16 designated Enterprise Zones, encompassing both urban and rural communities.

Why does that matter for local businesses?

Colorado offers several tax incentives for businesses that start, expand, invest, or create jobs within an Enterprise Zone. These incentives primarily come in the form of credits that can be applied toward a taxpayer’s Colorado income tax liability. There are also sales and use tax exemptions for certain machinery and machine tools used solely and exclusively within an Enterprise Zone.

🏗️ One opportunity to know about:
Vacant Building Rehabilitation Credit
A taxpayer who owns or leases a qualified building in an Enterprise Zone may be eligible for an income tax credit for qualified expenditures made to rehabilitate that building.

For tax year 2026:
The building must be located in an Enterprise Zone.
It must be at least 20 years old.
It must have been unoccupied for at least 2 years.
The credit is generally 25% of qualified expenditures.
The total credit is limited to $50,000 per taxpayer, per building.

Changes starting January 1, 2027:
The required vacancy period drops to just a few months.
The maximum credit increases to $200,000, calculated as 25% of aggregate qualified rehabilitation expenditures.

📞 Interested in learning more? Pre-qualification is required. For information about the tax credit, including qualified and non-qualified expenditures, contact the Enterprise Zone Administrator at SECED at 719-336-3850.

🏪 Then let your business take shape in Springfield!

One of our available opportunities is 841 Main St.

This building last saw activity as the home of Fusion, our local recreational cheer company. The front portion of the building could be a great location for a small retail shop, boutique, service business, or other entrepreneurial venture.

Could this be the space for your next business idea? 👀

Open Doors Springfield is just 10 days away! Come see what’s possible in our community.

10/06/2026

Act fast on this! This could be a great resource!

Town of Springfield has been contacted in regards to a pilot grant opportunity for assistance in Asbestos Abatement. Limited funds are available for only residential addresses located within city limits of Springfield, CO. If you are a residential property owner who's demolition is prevented by the....

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Maps are here! Maps will be available for pickup in Springfield at the Longhorn Steakhouse and the Lost Dog later today, and there are a limited number currently at SECED in Lamar. Or feel free to print these images from here.

09/28/2026

Continuing our countdown — just 20 days until our Open Doors Springfield tour! 🎉

Today, we’re taking a look at AI-inspired building #3: 925 Main St., most recently remembered as the 1st home of Blackthorne Rose.

Located in a high-visibility spot right on Main Street, this commercial property offers an excellent opportunity for a business looking for a prominent downtown location. The building has been well-maintained both inside and out and is move-in ready, helping minimize the need for immediate capital improvements and allowing a new owner or tenant to focus on making the space their own.

Whether you’re looking for a new location for your business, considering an investment, or simply curious about the spaces and possibilities in downtown Springfield, this is one you’ll want to see.

Come see 925 Main Street for yourself during Open Doors Springfield! We can’t wait to show you what’s possible. 👀🏢

20 days and counting!