Prominent developer to lead Denver Urban Renewal Authority

Kenneth Ho, a prominent local developer, is the new executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.

The DURA board voted Thursday to approve the appointment, and Ho will start his new job on Dec. 1. Ho will succeed Tracy Huggins, who retired earlier this year after decades leading the organization, and interim director Bill Pruter.

“I come into this with a lot of curiosity and humility, because DURA has been under the very capable leadership of Tracy Huggins for the last 25 years,” Ho told Denverite in an interview. “I’m having to step into some pretty big shoes.”

Ho was a leader of the failed proposal to build mixed-use housing, shopping and open space at the Park Hill Golf Course, but voters rejected that effort.

Ho has been instrumental in many successful development projects, most recently serving as the chief operating officer of the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a large-scale development north of the CU Anschutz campus dedicated to life sciences. He led the real estate development and infrastructure planning and worked closely with the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority on that project.

Ho prides himself on his community outreach work and his understanding of complex development projects.

DURA is a quasi-governmental authority that tries to bring new life to areas it determines are blighted throughout the city. It is separate from the municipal government, though it often works with the city of Denver to plan and build developments, demolish buildings and fund renewal efforts in existing buildings.

Currently, DURA is involved in projects like:

the redevelopment of Burnham Yard into a new Broncos stadium,

the renovation of the Rossonian Hotel,

the restoration of Sloan’s Lake

and investment in Northeast Park Hill.

As executive director, Ho will be tasked with not just leading large-scale projects but also navigating complicated neighborhood dynamics.

“There are a lot of challenges out there in the community and especially in terms of how development can or can’t work here in the city,” Ho said. “And I just look forward to being part of those conversations and part of the next big thing in Denver.”