For nearly 80 years, the Sand and Sage Motel at 8405 and 8415 East Colfax Avenue has stood as a weathered landmark of the 80208 corridor, its neon sign flickering through decades of neighborhood change. Now, the City and County of Denver has secured a new chapter for the property, approving a lease that brings the Roads to Recovery program inside its 38 rooms before the building eventually meets the wrecking ball.
The city council adopted the agreement on June 30, 2025, authorizing the Roads East Colfax Redevelopment, LLC to operate the motel as a transitional housing site. The deal, valued at $693,543.68, sets a nightly rental rate of $95.68 per unit and runs through December 31, 2025. This short-term arrangement bridges a critical gap, allowing the recovery program to serve individuals in need while the city prepares the 33,000-square-foot site for permanent redevelopment.
While the lease extends the life of the motel for less than a year, the long-term plan is far more transformative. The Sand and Sage, originally built in 1946, is slated for demolition later this year. Once the current lease expires and the structure is cleared, the site will be redeveloped into new affordable housing units. This pivot aligns with broader efforts to revitalize East Colfax, turning a historic but aging lodging facility into a modern residential asset.
Residents can track the progress of the demolition and subsequent construction by attending public meetings at Denver City Hall. The city has also made legislative details available online at denver.legistar.com, where the approved lease and future zoning actions for the property are documented.