Bandimere Speedway, the storied drag strip that sat on the Hogback for 65 years, is on the move again. On Wednesday night, the Bandimere family rolled out a rezoning pitch near Hudson, packing the Planning Commission chamber and igniting a small-town fight over jobs, traffic, and the fate of nearby farms.
What Was Proposed
The Bandimere team filed an initial zoning application, listed as Case 25-17 on the town's Planning Commission agenda, to reclassify agricultural parcels near Interstate 76 for a new motorsports complex, according to the Town of Hudson. Presenters told commissioners the site could host about 20 major events a year between April and October and would aim to pull racers and fans from across the region, as reported by Denver7.
Local Reaction
The proposal drew a standing-room-only crowd. Some residents argued the track could finally bring new retail and jobs to a town of roughly 1,600 people. Others, especially nearby farms and neighbors, warned about noise, light, and odor spilling into their operations and homes.
"We want to be good neighbors, but we are worried about the welfare of our hens," a representative of Opal Foods told officials. Longtime resident Linda Pavelka countered that the project looked like a rare chance for growth in a place that still does not have a grocery store, according to Denver7.
Next Steps And Infrastructure
If the Planning Commission signs off on the rezoning, the application will head to the Town Council for additional public hearings. Reporting and public notices indicate the council is expected to set annexation hearings and a formal public hearing on March 4. That is when the political rubber really meets the road.
Developers and town officials say the proposal will require heavy upfront groundwork: traffic studies, utility planning, and roadway upgrades before any construction can start. Project partners say they will coordinate mitigation and neighborhood outreach as the plan evolves, according to KUNC.
Background: Why The Move Matters
Bandimere shut down its Morrison track after 65 years and has been hunting for a new permanent home. The family closed on an initial parcel near Hudson last year, described as the first step in a broader plan, BizWest reported.
Developers have said they hope to assemble roughly 1,100 acres in the area to build out a larger motorsports and events campus. That prospect brings obvious economic potential, but also big-planning headaches for a small town that has to weigh traffic, land use, and agricultural impacts before it greenlights anything.
For now, the clock is set by public hearings and technical reviews. Planners will dig into environmental studies, traffic mitigation plans, and neighborhood feedback before any vote is taken. The Bandimere proposal is filed as Case 25-17 on Hudson’s agenda, and residents can track filings and staff reports through the town’s planning portal as the process moves toward the council hearing in March.
