"While we obviously wished that St. Anthony Central could remain within the Denver city limits, we understand the constraints its current campus places on the hospital's ability to grow in the future," says Hickenlooper. "This task force is the first step in our proactive efforts, working with St. Anthony and the west Denver community, to ensure the site becomes a positive economic engine for the West Colfax corridor and surrounding areas."

The St. Anthony Central Community Advisory Task Force--composed of neighborhood representatives and city officials, as well as hospital, business and real estate development representatives--will help identify opportunities and strategies to address the conversion and transformation of the current facility into a community redevelopment complex.

"The potential reuse of this site provides a significant economic and social change opportunity for the West Colfax area," says Garcia, whose district includes the site. "The St. Anthony Central Hospital infill redevelopment is as big for northwest Denver as the Stapleton and Lowry projects have been for East Denver." In addition to Garcia and Zara, Laura Aldrete of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority will chair the task force.