Cabela's Incorporated plans to extend its footprint in the Colorado market with the opening of two Denver-area locations – Thornton and Lone Tree.

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and Cabela's expects to open both locations in 2013. The stores will be Cabela's second and third in Colorado, joining the Grand Junction location.

“Because of the longstanding loyalty of our customers in the Centennial State, the abundance of outdoor opportunities across the region and Denver's proximity to Cabela's headquarters, it's the perfect situation to open two stores,” said Cabela's Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner. “This is the first time we've simultaneously announced two stores in the same metropolitan area so that says a lot about how we feel about the Denver area. It's a landmark day.”

The 110,000-square-foot Lone Tree store will be located in Douglas County south of Denver in the new RidgeGate Commons development along Interstate 25 at RidgeGate Parkway, about a mile south of Park Meadows Mall.

RidgeGate Commons will be located on the southwest quadrant of the interchange and is being developed by Coventry Development.

“We enthusiastically celebrate and welcome the arrival of Cabela's into the Douglas County community,” said Jill Repella, Douglas County Commissioner. “Their legendary brand and reputation as the world's leading outdoor outfitter is the perfect complement to the recreational lifestyle important to so many residents of Douglas County.”

The 90,000-square-foot Thornton store will be located north of Denver in a new retail development along Interstate 25 at 144th Avenue.

The new development will be located on the southeast quadrant of the interchange and is being developed by Thornton Development, LLC, an affiliate of THF Development.

“This is great news for the City of Thornton. City Council has wanted to bring jobs and development to this important corridor in Thornton for quite a while, and getting a great partner like Cabela's to come in and be the first anchor store there is very gratifying,” said Thornton Mayor Heidi Williams. “We feel like this gets the development of Thornton's North Washington corridor started in the right direction.”

Both stores will be built in Cabela's next-generation layout, designed to surround customers in an outdoor-like experience with trophy animal mounts and wildlife displays.

In addition to thousands of quality outdoor products, the stores will feature a gabled entry façade, fireplace, Gun Library, Bargain Cave, Fudge Shop and mountain replica featuring North American game animals re-created in their natural habitat.

“The addition of an internationally recognized brand like Cabela's cements Lone Tree's reputation as Colorado's premier retail destination,” said Lone Tree Mayor Jim Gunning. “We are excited to have Cabela's as a partner and wish them great success.”

Cabela's, based in Sidney, Neb., less than 200 miles from both Thornton and Lone Tree, currently operates 36 retail stores across the United States and Canada.

In 2004, Cabela's announced plans to build a retail store in Wheat Ridge as part of an 80-acre development at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Highway 58. However, the project didn't come to fruition as the company shifted its focus to the next-generation format, emphasizing efficiency and flexibility. An accompanying shift in real estate strategy gave Cabela's a fresh approach to the Front Range marketplace.

“We wanted to sharpen our focus on serving our customers, while also reducing our involvement in the land development business,” Millner said. “So our strategic approach to the Front Range changed.”

Cabela's opened the Grand Junction location, a next-generation store, in 2010.

Now, with two retail locations along the I-25 corridor, Cabela's legendary retail experience will be easily accessible to the entire Rocky Mountain region.

“Thanks to the leadership and vision of the cities of Thornton and Lone Tree, as well as Douglas County, the Front Range will have two premier Cabela's stores,” Millner said. “It took a team effort to pull this together, and Cabela's is excited to join both communities.”

Cabela's will open locations in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Charleston, W.Va.; Rogers, Ark.; and Union Gap, Wash., in 2012. Cabela's also has announced plans to open stores in Louisville, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio; and Grandville, Mich., in 2013.

The company is famous for its strong brand and world-renowned reputation for delivering quality merchandise, value and legendary customer service.

“Denver-area shoppers have been very loyal customers of our Sidney store, as well as our website and catalog,” Millner said. “We've had our eye on Denver for years. We're happy we can bring this double-barreled good news to our customers.”