CANON CITY, Colo. (KOAA) — Cañon City is working to modernize while maintaining its small-town appeal through strategic development projects that began over a decade ago.

The city's economic development efforts have focused on revitalizing Main Street, connecting downtown to the Arkansas River, and planning future housing and commercial developments.

"Our economy was certainly impacted by I-25 and competing with those communities for growth and development has been very difficult," said Rick Harrmann, Cañon City's economic development manager.

The 2012 decision to expand Main Street resulted in wider sidewalks and improved parking downtown. In 2017, the city began updating its riverwalk, creating new connections from downtown to the Arkansas River.

Cheryl Owens, who has owned Cheryl's

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