WINDSOR - Woodward Inc. has leased the site of the old Iron Mountain Autoplex in Windsor.

Water Valley Land Co., the owner of the property, said Friday that Woodward leased the facility at 871 Champion Drive for three years.
The autoplex, which closed in 2009, included Kia, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Mazda dealerships owned by Champion Auto Group. The Colorado Department of Revenue closed the dealerships after they failed to pay off loans on trade-in vehicles.

Water Valley Land bought a 10-acre parcel and the building that formerly housed the Chevy dealership for $2 million.
The real estate firm did not provide details of the Woodward lease, but it said work at the facility would support Woodward's engine and industrial machinery systems and other Colorado-based functions for three years.

"We look forward to accomplishing our important temporary project work at the Windsor Iron Mountain Business Park facility while expanding our support for the Northern Colorado economy," Woodward CEO Tom Gendron said in a statement issued by the real estate firm. "We have been very impressed by the efforts of the town of Windsor and Water Valley Land Co. to make this possible."

Woodward has not yet determined specific employment figures, Water Valley Land Co. said.

The lease between Woodward and Southgate Two brings the business park to full occupancy.

"We are pleased to welcome such a quality employer to Windsor," Windsor Mayor John Vazquez said. "We look forward to partnering with them to bring more innovation and technology to the town."

Woodward, based in Fort Collins, makes fuel-control systems for aerospace and energy markets. It employs 6,500 people worldwide, including about 1,200 in Loveland and Fort Collins.