Kenneth Ho Named Executive Director of DURA

Kenneth Ho, a prominent local developer, is the new executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. The DURA board approved the appointment on Thursday, and Ho will begin his new role on Dec. 1. Ho is taking over for Tracy Huggins, who retired earlier this year following many years at the helm of the organization, and for 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’s Development Background

Ho was a key figure in the unsuccessful plan to construct a project with mixed-use housing, retail, and public green space at the Park Hill Golf Course, but that initiative was turned down by voters. Ho has played a major role in numerous successful development ventures, having most recently served as the chief operating officer of the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a substantial development located north of the CU Anschutz campus and focused on life sciences. He was in charge of real estate development and infrastructure planning for that project and collaborated closely with the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority.

DURA Works on City Renewal Projects

DURA is a quasi-governmental body that seeks to revitalize areas of the city it designates as blighted. While it is independent from the municipal government, it frequently partners with the city of Denver on planning and constructing developments, razing structures, and financing upgrades to existing buildings. At present, DURA’s portfolio includes projects such as: the transformation of Burnham Yard into a new Broncos stadium, the refurbishment of the Rossonian Hotel, the rehabilitation of Sloan’s Lake, and investment in Northeast Park Hill.

Ho’s Vision for the Future

As executive director, Ho will be responsible for not only spearheading major undertakings but also for navigating intricate neighborhood issues. 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.

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