UPDATE: Residents of Lafayette are urgently pushing back against the proposed construction of a new 124-room Echo Suites Extended Stay Hotel in their community. The developer, Hix Snedeker, is seeking to build the hotel at 880 Aspen Ridge Drive, just behind popular retail establishments, but local residents are rallying to have the proposal rejected.
The hotel, which would be the second in Lafayette, is under review by city staff, who may recommend it to the Lafayette Planning Commission. However, residents are voicing serious concerns about noise, traffic, and safety, fearing it could significantly alter the character of the Silo neighborhood.
Local resident Wilko Koning, who lives just a few hundred feet from the proposed site, expressed deep concerns about the hotel’s potential impact. He stated, “With an extended-stay hotel, people can come and go at any time of the day. That’s our biggest concern, that we’re going to get noise and traffic right outside of our house and neighborhood at all times of day.”
Since the proposal surfaced, over 60 signatures have been collected on a petition opposing the hotel, which many residents believe could drive down property values and jeopardize safety, especially near a school bus stop located nearby.
In a public comment period this summer, residents raised alarms about the potential for increased crime associated with extended-stay hotels. One commenter highlighted concerns about “increased incidents of crime, including drug activity, theft, and disturbances,” particularly due to the transient nature of hotel guests.
However, Snedeker counters these claims, asserting that he is committed to maintaining the hotel’s integrity and safety. “I’m putting my name on this. I own it. We will operate it,” Snedeker stated, dismissing fears of crime and assuring residents that the hotel would not result in “negative publicity.” He emphasized that the development is intended to meet an urgent local need for more lodging options.
Currently, Lafayette has only one hotel, the Hampton by Hilton Inn & Suites, which has 84 rooms. The broader Boulder County region boasts around 51 hotel properties totaling approximately 4,400 rooms, meaning Lafayette has been underserved in terms of accommodations.
City officials have noted that the new hotel could bolster Lafayette’s visitor economy, especially as the 2027 Sundance Film Festival relocates to nearby Boulder, which is expected to increase lodging demand across the county. Major employers, such as Medtronic and Intermountain Health’s Good Samaritan Hospital, also frequently require accommodations for visiting executives and staff.
The proposed site lies at a strategic location near U.S. 287 and Arapahoe Road, a corridor that has seen significant development in recent years. Yet, residents like Alicia Burdick, who moved to Silo in 2024, argue that the hotel does not fit the community’s vision as a “sustainable, family-focused neighborhood.”
As this developing situation unfolds, the Lafayette Planning Commission and City Council will hold formal hearings, allowing residents to voice their concerns directly. For now, the future of the Echo Suites hotel remains uncertain, with local sentiment heavily leaning against its construction.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and engage with local officials as the review process continues. The outcry from Lafayette residents highlights a critical intersection of development and community safety, making it a key issue for the city.
