Safeway to Close 12 Stores Across Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico by Nov. 7
Closures affect 10 Colorado locations and draw concern from local officials and union leaders as grocers reshuffle footprints amid industry shifts
Safeway, the grocery chain owned by Albertsons, said it will close 12 stores across three states by Nov. 7, a move that will shrink the company’s footprint in parts of Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico.
The company announced the planned shutdowns after what it described as "long and careful deliberation." The closures include 10 stores in Colorado, one in Nebraska and one in New Mexico. Safeway will retain more than 900 locations following the action, with the largest concentration of outlets in California and other stores in Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii and Virginia. Safeway and Albertsons declined to comment further on the upcoming store closures.
Union and elected officials expressed concern about the impact on workers and communities. Kim Cordova, president of United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Local 7, urged Safeway to "invest in Colorado communities with new and improved stores" rather than shrink its footprint. Otero County Commissioner Rob Oquist said the closures raised worries not only for employees but also for families who rely on local grocery access. Lamar Mayor Kirk Crespin described the planned closure in his town as a "significant loss" and said local officials are seeking new businesses to fill the gap.
The stores slated for closure are: 201 E Jefferson, Englewood, Colorado; 500 E 120th Ave, Northglenn, Colorado; 1653 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, Colorado; 12200 E Mississippi, Aurora, Colorado; 3657 S College Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado; 860 Cleveland Ave, Loveland, Colorado; 5060 North Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, Colorado; 1425 S Murray Blvd, Colorado Springs, Colorado; 315 West 2nd St, La Junta, Colorado; 906 E Olive St, Lamar, Colorado; 230 Morehead St, Chadron, Nebraska; and 730 W Main St, Farmington, New Mexico.
The closures come as the U.S. grocery sector continues to evolve, with some chains reducing footprints while others expand. In recent months, smaller rival Homeland closed five supermarkets in Oklahoma and Georgia, and Kroger — a major competitor — has closed upward of 60 stores in its own network. At the same time, discount grocer Aldi is pursuing rapid expansion and plans to open more than 225 locations this year through new builds and conversions of select Winn-Dixie and Harvey Supermarkets; Trader Joe’s is also adding roughly 30 stores.
The moves by Safeway’s parent company follow a period of corporate challenges for Albertsons. A proposed merger with Kroger was blocked in 2022, and the company has faced subsequent legal disputes. Analysts and local officials say decisions to close specific stores frequently reflect a mix of local sales performance, lease and real estate considerations, labor costs and broader competitive pressures.
Safeway did not provide details on employee transition plans, severance or potential opportunities to transfer staff to nearby locations. Local officials and union representatives have called for the company to engage with communities and workers to mitigate the closures’ effects.
Safeway’s announced timetable sets the last day of operations for the affected stores as Nov. 7. Company statements and public filings will be monitored for further detail, and local governments have begun outreach to potential replacement businesses to address anticipated service gaps in affected towns and neighborhoods.