Downtown Performance + Trends Survey (2025)

2025 Downtown Performance & Trends Survey

This survey aims to gather insights from downtown place managers across Colorado to compare experiences related to sales, foot traffic, events, and community participation. Your feedback will help identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration as we move into 2025.

Step 1 of 3

33%

Section 1: About You

Name

First Last

Organization

Website

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Which of the following does your organization include (select all that apply)

Business Improvement District (BID)

Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

General Improvement District (GID)

For any districts or authorities in your organization, pleased list the year the BID, DDA, GID was formed?

For any districts or authorities in your organization, pleased list the year the BID, DDA, GID will sunset, if any?

Operating Budget in 2024

Less than $50K

$51-$100K

$101K - $200K

$201K - $300K

$301K - $500K

$501K - $750K

$751- $1M

$1M - $2M

$2M+

Operating Budget in 2025

Less than $50K

$51-$100K

$101K - $200K

$201K - $300K

$301K - $500K

$501K - $750K

$751- $1M

$1M - $2M

$2M+

Section 2: Downtown Overview

Annual Visitor Numbers for Your Downtown District

Under 100K

101K - 500K

501K - 1M

1M+

Residents in the District

Under 100K

101K - 500K

501K - 1M

1M+

Number of Shops/Restaurants/Services

Under 10

11-25

26-50

51-100

101-200

200+

Number of Second Story Businesses / Offices

Under 10

11-25

26-50

51-100

101-200

200+

How would you describe the current overall economic health of your downtown?

Thriving/Mature

Stable/Growing

Struggling/Stagnant

Other

Section 3: Sales and Foot Traffic

How did overall retail sales perform in your downtown in 2024 compared to 2023?

Increased significantly

Increased slightly

Stayed the same

Decreased slightly

Decreased significantly

How did foot traffic levels in 2024 compare to 2023?

Increased significantly

Increased slightly

Stayed the same

Decreased slightly

Decreased significantly

What factors most influenced sales and foot traffic trends in the last year? (Select all that apply)

New business openings

Business closures

Special events or festivals

Changes in tourism

Economic Conditions

Parking Availability

Public safety concerns

Weather conditions

Hybrid work environment

Other

If other, please elaborate

Section 4: Restaurants and Office Workers

How have restaurants and cafés in your downtown performed in 2024 compared to 2023?

Increased sales

Decreased sales

No significant change

How has the hybrid work environment impacted weekday lunch business for restaurants and cafés?

Significantly increased traffic

Slightly increased traffic

No significant change

Slightly decreased traffic

Significantly decreased traffic

What trends have you observed regarding office worker presence in your downtown?

More workers returning to the office

Fewer workers returning to the office

No significant change

What strategies have restaurants or your organization implemented to address the hybrid work environment? (Select all that apply)

Offering special weekday lunch promotions

Adjusting hours of operations

Expanding takeout/delivery options

Partnering with local offices for catering

Other

No changes made

If other, please elaborate

Section 5: Event Attendance and Marketing Tactics

How did event attendance in 2024 compare to previous years?

Significantly increased traffic

Slightly increased traffic

No significant change

Slightly decreased traffic

Significantly decreased traffic

What factors influenced event attendance in 2024? (Select all that apply)

Effective marketing and promotion

Improved event programming

Community engagement

Weather conditions

Safety concerns

Other

If other, please elaborate

Did you introduce any new events in 2024?

Yes

If yes, please briefly describe the event(s):

Are you planning to try any new events or event formats in 2025?

Yes

If yes, please describe your planned strategies:

What marketing tactics did you find most effective for promoting events in 2024? (Select all that apply)

Social media campaigns

Email newsletters

Local media coverage (TV, radio, print)

Partnerships with local influencers

Paid digital advertising

Print flyers/posters

Word of mouth

Other

If other, please elaborate

Are you planning to try any new marketing strategies in 2025?

Yes

If yes, please briefly describe your plans:

Section 6: Homelessness and Public Safety

How has homelessness impacted your downtown over the past year?

Significantly increased challenges

Moderately increased challenges

Slightly increased challenges

No noticable impact

What specific challenges related to homelessness have you experienced? (Select all that apply)

Impacts on public spaces (e.g., parks, sidewalks)

Customer complaints or safety concerns

Issues for businesses (e.g., loitering, encampments)

Increased need for outreach and services

Other

If other, please elaborate

How concerned are you about crime in your downtown (e.g., shoplifting, vandalism, public disturbances)?

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Neutral

Not very concerned

Not concerned at all

What types of crimes or safety issues have been most problematic over the past year? (Select all that apply)

Shoplifting or theft

Vandalism or property damage

Public disturbances or altercations

Drug-related activity

Other

If other, please elaborate

What measures have you taken or plan to take to address these issues? (Select all that apply)

Increased security presence

Collaborating with law enforcement

Implementing safety or awareness campaigns

Partnering with social services organizations

Other

No measures taken yet

If other, please elaborate

What support or resources would help you better address homelessness and public safety concerns in your downtown?

Section 7: Challenges and Concerns

What were the biggest challenges your downtown faced in 2024? (Select all that apply)

Declining sales or foot traffic

Business vacancies

Public safety/crime

Parking availability

Staffing shortages for businesses

Hybrid work environment impacts

Community engagement

Infrastructure issues

Homelessness

Other

If other, please elaborate

What are your biggest concerns for 2025? (Select all that apply)

Economic slowdown/recession

Continued business vacancies

Decline in office worker presence

Impact of hybrid work on restaurants

Public safety/crime

Parking and transportation challenges

Event funding and sponsorship

Business retention and recruitment

Declining community engagement

Homelessness

Other

If other, please elaborate

Please elaborate on any specific concerns or challenges you foresee for 2025:

Section 8: Collaboration and Insights

What strategies or initiatives worked well for your downtown in 2024 that you think others could benefit from?

What topics or issues would you like to collaborate on with other downtown place managers in 2025? (Select all that apply)

Event programming and management

Business retention and recruitment

Marketing and promotion

Public safety and security

Parking and transportation

Policy and advocacy

Adapting to hybrid work trends

Supporting restaurants and cafes

Supporting retail programs

New event ideas and formats

Addressing homelessness

Other

If other, please elaborate

Are there services, educational content, or other ideas that you would like to see DCI provide to BIDs and DDAs in Colorado?

Are you interested in participating in future group discussions or roundtables with fellow downtown place managers?

Yes

Maybe

If yes, or maybe, do you prefer to convene (select all that apply)

Remotely

In person

Quarterly

Semi Annually

In response to an issue or legislation

Would you like to host your peers in your downtown?

Yes

Not at this time

Thank you for your feedback!

Your insights are invaluable as we work together to support and improve downtown districts across Colorado.