Category: Property & Land

Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review Near Erie

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.

For questions about this program, contact Michael Kowalski at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-3168 or email Area Agency on [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lyons office without an appointment.

According to Michael Kowalski, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 72% 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,” Michael Kowalski said.

Contact Information

The project includes improvements along Baseline Road between Lyons and the intersection with Flagstaff Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 13 months.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 72% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,082 responses from residents across the county.

Related Programs

The Hall Ranch open space property encompasses 1,631 acres and features 9 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

The Lyons Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,240 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Area Agency on Aging publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

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 2413 county employees across 45 departments and offices.

What You Need to Know

The Niwot Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,353 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Safety data from the Niwot area shows 15 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 7% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along South Boulder Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Contact Information

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 6 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

A community information session will be held at the Niwot library on Sunday, May 10 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.

July 2025: 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.

According to Emily Chen, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 83% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Emily Chen 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 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

Eligibility

A community information session will be held at the Niwot library on Wednesday, May 13 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.

The application deadline is July 18, 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.

Longmont Community Briefing: Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal

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.

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 project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Lafayette and the intersection with Foothills Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 10 months.

Community Impact

Safety data from the Lafayette area shows 10 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 17% 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 Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,706 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Related Programs

Water quality monitoring at 20 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Clerk & Recorder publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Residents in the Lafayette area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Clerk & Recorder at (303) 441-6282 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

Volunteers contributed over 12,945 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 18 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Timeline

For questions about this program, contact David Thompson at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-8495 or email Area Agency on [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lyons office without an appointment.

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 16 business days.

Next Steps

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 78% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,159 responses from residents across the county.

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Thursday, June 4 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.

Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal — Erie 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.

For questions about this program, contact Diana Orozco at Human Services: (303) 441-8741 or email Human [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Superior office without an appointment.

Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Human Services at (303) 441-8741 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Timeline

The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,005 affordable housing units since its inception, with 259 additional units in the development pipeline.

Background

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 1905 county employees across 45 departments and offices.

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

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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,552 affordable housing units since its inception, with 155 additional units in the development pipeline.

Safety data from the Lyons area shows 45 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 19% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along 63rd Street and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Contact Information

Water quality monitoring at 20 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Housing & Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 25% 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.

Timeline

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.

Update: Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment (2024)

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.

Safety data from the Gunbarrel area shows 42 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 14% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Left Hand Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

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.

Related Programs

According to David Thompson, director of Sheriff’s Office, this program served 82% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Gunbarrel and the surrounding area,” David Thompson said.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 82% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Background

For questions about this program, contact David Thompson at Sheriff’s Office: (303) 441-3182 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 Gunbarrel office without an appointment.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 82% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,359 responses from residents across the county.

Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment — December 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.

According to Michael Kowalski, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 31% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Boulder and the surrounding area,” Michael Kowalski said.

The Area Agency on Aging processed over 5,129 applications last year, with an average processing time of 7 business days. Staff are available at the Boulder office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Next Steps

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Sunday, May 17 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.

Volunteers contributed over 12,618 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 23 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

How to Participate

For questions about this program, contact Michael Kowalski at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-5869 or email Area Agency on [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.

Safety data from the Boulder area shows 41 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 6% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Niwot Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move — Ward Area

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.

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 $72,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The project includes improvements along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway between Lafayette and the intersection with Foothills Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

Details

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $457,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 6 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Timeline

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 76% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,862 responses from residents across the county.