Category: Property & Land

Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — Follow-Up Report

The Board of County Commissioners has approved amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code to streamline the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties in unincorporated areas. Changes include reduced setback requirements, simplified design standards, and by-right approval for units under 800 square feet.

The application deadline is August 4, 2026. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. Incomplete applications will be returned with a list of missing items. Average review time is 12 business days.

Water quality monitoring at 18 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Community Planning & Permitting publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Next Steps

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 15% of properties in the Lyons area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Saturday, May 23 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Eligibility

Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2026, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 66% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review — December 2024

The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed comprehensive updates to the Land Use Code’s site plan review process. Key changes include new stormwater management requirements, updated landscape standards, enhanced wildfire mitigation provisions, and expanded public notification procedures.

According to Rachel Stein, director of Housing & Human Services, this program served 45% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Erie and the surrounding area,” Rachel Stein said.

Safety data from the Erie area shows 5 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 9% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Baseline Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Timeline

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $80,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Erie and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

May: Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment

The Board of County Commissioners has approved amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code to streamline the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties in unincorporated areas. Changes include reduced setback requirements, simplified design standards, and by-right approval for units under 800 square feet.

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Tuesday, May 19 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-7 / Ute Highway found 9 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Clerk & Recorder worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Eligibility

The Lyons Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,600 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Water quality monitoring at 15 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Clerk & Recorder publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal Near Gold Hill

Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting has launched an updated online building permit portal with improved search functionality, real-time status tracking, and mobile-friendly document uploads. The new system reduces average permit review times by 15% and allows applicants to schedule inspections online.

Historical context: Boulder County was established in 1861 and covers 741 square miles of diverse terrain from the Great Plains to the Continental Divide. The county’s population of approximately 330,000 residents is served by 1876 county employees across 39 departments and offices.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 84% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,916 responses from residents across the county.

Eligibility

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $85,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Volunteers contributed over 3,792 hours to this program last year. The Clerk & Recorder coordinates with 23 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Details

Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2025, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 5 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Update: Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment (2024)

The City of Boulder and Boulder County have released the draft 2026 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update for public review and comment. The plan addresses land use, housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Public comments will be accepted through May 15.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 25% of properties in the Louisville area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $48,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Timeline

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 79% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,268 responses from residents across the county.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-7 / Ute Highway found 4 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Justice Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment — Follow-Up Report

The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed updates to the General Floodplain Development Permit process. Changes include streamlined review timelines, updated fee structures, and new requirements for climate-adjusted flood risk assessments. Comments are due by April 30.

Volunteers contributed over 5,677 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 7 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $109,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community Impact

A community information session will be held at the Longmont library on Thursday, April 16 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Residents in the Longmont area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Parks & Open Space at (303) 441-2717 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Longmont and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

Water quality monitoring at 10 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road — Pine Brook Hills Area

The Boulder County Planning Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow construction of a 48-unit affordable housing development on Arapahoe Road near the intersection with 63rd Street. The project will provide permanently affordable rental units for households earning 30-60% of area median income.

Funding of $10,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2026 budget session.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 12 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 29% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,564 responses from residents across the county.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $41,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to Participate

The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Louisville and the intersection with Foothills Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

March 2026: Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road

The Boulder County Planning Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow construction of a 48-unit affordable housing development on Arapahoe Road near the intersection with 63rd Street. The project will provide permanently affordable rental units for households earning 30-60% of area median income.

For questions about this program, contact Jennifer Walsh at Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience: (303) 441-4159 or email Sustainability, Climate Action & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Boulder office without an appointment.

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Boulder and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

Next Steps

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, or in person at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting. Written comments received by 5:00 PM the day before the hearing will be included in the public record.

Funding of $378,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2024 budget session.

September: New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment

The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed updates to the General Floodplain Development Permit process. Changes include streamlined review timelines, updated fee structures, and new requirements for climate-adjusted flood risk assessments. Comments are due by April 30.

The Niwot Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,200 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Funding of $158,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2025 budget session.

How to Participate

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 17% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,635 responses from residents across the county.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 24 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Timeline

Environmental review of the project area near Arapahoe Road found 12 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $158,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

November 2026: Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment

The City of Boulder and Boulder County have released the draft 2026 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update for public review and comment. The plan addresses land use, housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Public comments will be accepted through May 15.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 16% of properties in the Lafayette area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

The Housing & Human Services processed over 616 applications last year, with an average processing time of 15 business days. Staff are available at the Lafayette office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Community Impact

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 69% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,610 responses from residents across the county.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 40% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $118,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 1,002 acres and features 8 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.