Category: Property & Land

Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review — Follow-Up Report

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.

The application deadline is April 23, 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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $162,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

How to Participate

Water quality monitoring at 15 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Transportation publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

The project includes improvements along Coal Creek Canyon Road between Gunbarrel and the intersection with Niwot Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 13 months.

January: Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review

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.

Safety data from the Longmont area shows 11 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 10% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Nelson Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 30 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Background

Residents in the Longmont area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Resource Conservation at (303) 441-6366 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The application deadline is May 24, 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 13 business days.

Next Steps

Funding of $245,000 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.

Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment — Nederland Area

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.

Volunteers contributed over 9,277 hours to this program last year. The Clerk & Recorder coordinates with 6 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Monday, May 4 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Related Programs

The application deadline is June 15, 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 8 business days.

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

Contact Information

The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 692 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Clerk & Recorder, 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.

Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal Near Eldora

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.

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 66% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,528 responses from residents across the county.

Funding of $267,000 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.

Contact Information

The application deadline is July 14, 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 5 business days.

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.

Related Programs

A community information session will be held at the Louisville library on Sunday, May 17 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

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.

September: 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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 17% 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.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Public Health, 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.

Next Steps

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 2363 county employees across 40 departments and offices.

A community information session will be held at the Louisville library on Monday, May 4 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Details

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,489 affordable housing units since its inception, with 276 additional units in the development pipeline.

Volunteers contributed over 13,839 hours to this program last year. The Public Health coordinates with 18 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Superior Community Briefing: 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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,250 affordable housing units since its inception, with 59 additional units in the development pipeline.

The Sheriff’s Office processed over 3,644 applications last year, with an average processing time of 21 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Details

Water quality monitoring at 14 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Sheriff’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Volunteers contributed over 10,664 hours to this program last year. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

January: Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review

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.

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 15 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Sheriff’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Details

For questions about this program, contact Diana Orozco at Sheriff’s Office: (303) 441-6220 or email Sheriff’s [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Longmont office without an appointment.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $271,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Eligibility

Environmental review of the project area near Nelson Road found 3 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

The application deadline is May 8, 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 28 business days.

Update: Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move (2025)

The Boulder County Assessor’s Office reminds qualifying seniors that Colorado’s property tax exemption portability provision allows them to transfer their exemption to a new primary residence within the county. Seniors who have moved should contact the Assessor’s Office to ensure their exemption transfers correctly.

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

Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 11 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Area Agency on Aging worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Next Steps

The Area Agency on Aging processed over 6,276 applications last year, with an average processing time of 18 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

According to Sarah Mitchell, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 27% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Gunbarrel and the surrounding area,” Sarah Mitchell said.

Superior Community Briefing: 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 Area Agency on Aging processed over 7,566 applications last year, with an average processing time of 18 business days. Staff are available at the Boulder office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The application deadline is July 3, 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 11 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Wednesday, April 22 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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 35% of properties in the Boulder 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.

Resources

According to Maria Gonzalez, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 40% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Boulder and the surrounding area,” Maria Gonzalez said.

Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road — Niwot 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.

The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,124 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Community Impact

Safety data from the Superior area shows 28 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 22% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-119 Diagonal Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-3595 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Resources

Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 3 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.