By Olivia Clark
Gypsum is changing fast. As our town grows, so do the challenges and opportunities. I’ve rounded up key updates from the council, major infrastructure plans, and what community feedback is telling our leaders about what matters most.
Major Projects Underway
I-70 Eagle Airport Interchange (EAI)
The EAI project, long discussed but set aside due to funding gaps, is now moving forward. A new feasibility study kicked off in 2024 to test earlier designs and explore safer, more effective solutions for traffic between I-70, Highway 6, and the Eagle County Regional Airport. The town recently won a federal grant aimed at assisting small communities with early planning and environmental review. Construction is tentatively slated to begin around 2029.
Capital Improvements & Utility Upgrades
Gypsum is investing in essential infrastructure across several fronts:
- Resurfacing of I-70 from Gypsum to Eagle, including bridge repairs, guardrail upgrades, and better ramp alignment.
- Upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment plant and a new “river view” sewer express line designed to keep up with demand.
- Relocation of the community recycling center, widening of Cooley Mesa Road, and updates to Gypsum Creek Pump Station.
Housing & Development Pressures
Workforce Housing Moves Forward
A $10 million horizontal development loan has been secured to kick off the first phase of a planned large-scale workforce housing development. The four-phase project will include hundreds of for-sale and rental units — much-needed given local demand and regional housing trends.
Mixed-Use Development & Community Amenities
The Gypsum Tower Center project has broken ground on its first phase. Along with new roadway infrastructure, this development includes the town’s long-anticipated post office, commercial space, and a mix of housing types. It aims to provide a more walkable downtown environment where residents can live, work, and gather.
What Community Feedback Is Saying
A recent town survey makes clear what residents prioritize:
- Water supply and sustainability: concerns about rights, conservation, and where future drinking water will come from.
- Traffic, roads, and intersections: especially near schools, where congestion and safety are pressing.
- Quality and affordable housing: housing options that serve full-time workers rather than seasonal or luxury buyers.
- Maintaining rural character and environmental balance as Gypsum continues to grow.
What’s Next
To turn plans into progress, there are crucial steps ahead:
- Finalizing designs and environmental reviews for major projects like the EAI and utility upgrades.
- Pursuing grants and funding sources to avoid delays like those that paused earlier plans.
- Engaging the community continuously — listening and acting on feedback about housing affordability, traffic, and sustainability.
- Ensuring new developments preserve what residents love about Gypsum — clean air, open spaces, and that sense of mountain-valley living.
Gypsum is at a turning point. With smart planning and community input, the town has an opportunity to grow without losing the heart of what makes it home.