Safeway Shutters Multiple Colorado Locations Citing Poor Performance

By Parker Gordon | KDVR FOX 31

DENVER (KDVR) — Safeway has just announced the closure of 10 stores within Colorado, including some Denver Metro area locations.

On Tuesday, a Safeway spokesperson told FOX31 that the 10 stores are expected to cease operations before or on Nov. 7, which comes after a “strategic consolidation” through merging the Intermountain and Denver division into a Mountain West Division.

“We continuously evaluate the performance of our stores, and occasionally, after long and careful deliberation, it becomes necessary to make the difficult decision to close certain locations. We are working to place affected associates in nearby stores wherever possible,” said the Safeway spokesperson.

The spokesperson also listed the 10 Colorado locations, which are as follows:

• 201 E Jefferson, Englewood
• 500 E. 120th Ave, Northglenn
• 1653 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver
• 12200 E. Mississippi, Aurora
• 3657 S. College Ave, Fort Collins
• 860 Cleveland Ave., Loveland
• 5060 North Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs
• 1425 S Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs
• 315 West 2nd St., La Junta  
• 906 E. Olive St., Lamar

In a statement from UFCW Local 7 provided to FOX31, it said that it represents workers at 8 of the 10 stores being closed in Colorado.

“The Company’s decision to close these stores represents new evidence that Albertsons is more interested in lining the pockets of its Wall Street investors as opposed to serving Coloradans,” stated the union.

UFCW Local 7 also noted that the closures to the Safeway locations in the cities of La Junta and Lamar were “already the only full-service grocer in town” and that the impacts of the closures will force community members and customers to drive “at least 60 miles” to get to the nearest full-service grocery store.

Lamar Mayor Kirk Crespin told FOX31, “While this is a significant loss, Lamar is a resilient and strong community. We will continue working closely with our economic development partners to recruit new businesses—especially one that can provide similar goods and services to meet the needs of our residents.”

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