Category: Property & Land

Louisville Community Briefing: 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.

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

Volunteers contributed over 4,090 hours to this program last year. The Human Services coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Background

For questions about this program, contact Maria Gonzalez at Human Services: (303) 441-2699 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 Gunbarrel office without an appointment.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,946 affordable housing units since its inception, with 262 additional units in the development pipeline.

Louisville 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.

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.

The Public Health processed over 2,186 applications last year, with an average processing time of 18 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Background

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Health at (303) 441-9486 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $355,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

How to Participate

The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Niwot and the intersection with 75th Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

The Anne U. White open space property encompasses 534 acres and features 14 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Eldorado Springs Community Briefing: 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.

A community information session will be held at the Nederland library on Friday, May 1 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.

Residents in the Nederland area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-9995 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Related Programs

The application deadline is July 6, 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 27 business days.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 49% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Contact Information

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their April 26 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

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

Update: Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road (2024)

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 Housing & Human Services processed over 11,367 applications last year, with an average processing time of 11 business days. Staff are available at the Lyons office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

According to Brian Nakamura, director of Housing & Human Services, this program served 61% 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,” Brian Nakamura said.

Eligibility

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 2493 county employees across 44 departments and offices.

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.

Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road Near Allenspark

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.

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.

A community information session will be held at the Louisville library on Monday, May 11 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.

Community Impact

Environmental review of the project area near Arapahoe Road found 5 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 1,929 acres and features 14 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Background

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 68% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

The Community Planning & Permitting processed over 4,238 applications last year, with an average processing time of 16 business days. Staff are available at the Louisville office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

March 2024: 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 1,571 affordable housing units since its inception, with 297 additional units in the development pipeline.

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 54% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,938 responses from residents across the county.

Contact Information

According to Emily Chen, director of Sheriff’s Office, this program served 54% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Nederland and the surrounding area,” Emily Chen said.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 2 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Details

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $221,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

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 2404 county employees across 44 departments and offices.

May: 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.

For questions about this program, contact Carlos Rivera at Transportation: (303) 441-8307 or email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lafayette office without an appointment.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,027 affordable housing units since its inception, with 292 additional units in the development pipeline.

Resources

According to Carlos Rivera, director of Transportation, this program served 15% 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,” Carlos Rivera said.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 11 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Transportation worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The project includes improvements along SH-119 Diagonal Highway between Lafayette and the intersection with Sunshine Canyon Drive. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 16 months.

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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,602 affordable housing units since its inception, with 218 additional units in the development pipeline.

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 Housing & Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

How to Participate

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 26% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,926 responses from residents across the county.

The project includes improvements along South Boulder Road between Niwot and the intersection with SH-7 / Ute Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 13 months.

Timeline

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 39% of properties in the Niwot 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.

Superior Community Briefing: 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.

Funding of $347,000 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.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Assessor’s Office, 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.

Resources

The Assessor’s Office processed over 5,805 applications last year, with an average processing time of 18 business days. Staff are available at the Lafayette office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The project includes improvements along 63rd Street between Lafayette and the intersection with Arapahoe Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Details

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Saturday, June 6 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.

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

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.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 76% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,575 responses from residents across the county.

According to David Thompson, director of Resource Conservation, this program served 76% 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,” David Thompson said.

Next Steps

The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,635 seniors participated in center programs last year.

The application deadline is July 10, 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 21 business days.