Category: Property & Land

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

Environmental review of the project area near Arapahoe Road found 11 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Safety data from the Nederland area shows 22 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 25% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Arapahoe Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Eligibility

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 19% of properties in the Nederland 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.

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 28% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,339 responses from residents across the county.

Update: Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment (2026)

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.

The application deadline is July 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 30 business days.

The Hall Ranch open space property encompasses 882 acres and features 5 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Next Steps

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 862 affordable housing units since its inception, with 172 additional units in the development pipeline.

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.

Related Programs

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 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal — Gunbarrel Area

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 18% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,834 responses from residents across the county.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 38% 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.

Background

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $116,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

According to James Rodriguez, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 18% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Louisville and the surrounding area,” James Rodriguez said.

Resources

Safety data from the Louisville area shows 14 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 28% 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.

Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — Ward Area

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 Transportation processed over 3,276 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.

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 2086 county employees across 45 departments and offices.

Background

The Gunbarrel Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,193 seniors participated in center programs last year.

According to Kevin Larsen, director of Transportation, this program served 91% 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,” Kevin Larsen said.

Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move — Follow-Up Report

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.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 7 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Works worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,893 affordable housing units since its inception, with 257 additional units in the development pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 1958 county employees across 37 departments and offices.

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 $76,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road — Follow-Up Report

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $164,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 91% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

How to Participate

According to Rachel Stein, director of Community Planning & Permitting, this program served 91% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” Rachel Stein said.

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

Details

The Caribou Ranch open space property encompasses 2,321 acres and features 15 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment — August 2025

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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 33% 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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $348,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Community Impact

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 1872 county employees across 39 departments and offices.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 4 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Related Programs

The Parks & Open Space processed over 6,721 applications last year, with an average processing time of 3 business days. Staff are available at the Louisville office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

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.

According to Lisa Patel, director of Resource Conservation, this program served 47% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lafayette and the surrounding area,” Lisa Patel said.

The Rabbit Mountain open space property encompasses 1,370 acres and features 10 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Contact Information

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 28% 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.

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 2082 county employees across 41 departments and offices.

May: 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.

Environmental review of the project area near Niwot Road found 9 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Health worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

For questions about this program, contact Diana Orozco at Public Health: (303) 441-1979 or email Public [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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $317,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Community Impact

The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Longmont and the intersection with Coal Creek Canyon Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 6 months.

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.

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 56% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,311 responses from residents across the county.

Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Housing & Human Services at (303) 441-5282 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Details

The application deadline is May 29, 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 7 business days.

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

What You Need to Know

According to Amanda Foster, director of Housing & Human Services, this program served 56% 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,” Amanda Foster said.

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.