Archuleta County Community Plan Update

Archuleta County is seeking proposals from qualified individuals/firms with experience of preparing Comprehensive Plan Updates.

Bid proposals are due to Archuleta County Finance Department by no later than March 9, 2026. Archuleta County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids and may not select the low bidder. Archuleta County reserves the right to cancel this RFP for any reason whatsoever.

THREE SETS (ONE ORIGINAL AND TWO COMPLETE COPIES OF THE SEALED PROPOSAL), clearly marked with “Archuleta County Community Plan Update,” and the name, address, and phone number of the Proposer will be received by Chad Eaton, Finance Director. Answers to all questions, inquiries, or requests for additional information will be issued in the form of an addendum. The County will not be responsible for the authenticity or correctness of oral interpretations of the contract documents or information obtained in any other manner than through the media of addendum. Proposers in their proposals shall acknowledge receipt of each addendum, and each addendum shall be considered part of the contract documents. Failure to acknowledge receipt of addendum issued may invalidate a proposal as incomplete.

Questions must be received no later than the close of business seven (7) days prior to the Proposal Deadline.

The proposal shall be awarded by the Board of County Commissioners. It is the Proposers’ responsibility to verify the exact date of the award. Proposers may, but shall not be required to, attend the award of proposal. A proposal tab shall be forwarded to all Proposers as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informalities and minor irregularities in proposals, and to accept the proposal deemed, in the opinion of the Board, to be in the best interests of Archuleta County.
Published: (Twice in 3-week period) 2026, in the Pagosa Springs Sun

The consultant shall update the Archuleta County Community Plan to address statutory requirements related to the Water Supply Element and Strategic Growth Element, consistent with comments provided by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). All Tasks shall take into consideration the priorities, milestones, and recommended actions as set forth in the 2025-2028 Archuleta Strategic Plan.

Task 1: General Update to the Comprehensive Plan

• Existing Conditions Assessment, including but not limited to.
  • Vision and Goals
  • Population and demographic trends
  • Employment and economic conditions
  • Existing land use patterns
  • Infrastructure and utilities, transportation and mobility
  • Environmental constraints and natural hazards

Task 2: Water Supply Element Update

• The consultant will prepare an updated Water Supply Element that includes the following required components:
  • Coordination with Water Providers
    • Document consultation and coordination with local water and sanitation providers, including PAWSD and applicable metro districts.
  • Water Conservation Policies
    • Update and carry forward existing water conservation policies, including landscaping and conservation techniques.
  • Water Supply and Facility Analysis
    • Update estimates of water supply and facility needs.
    • Clearly document the relationship between:
      • Preferred Growth Scenario
      • Build-out at current densities
      • Demonstrated housing needs
    • Identify infrastructure constraints that may limit growth.
  • Assumptions and Reassessment Triggers
    • Document key assumptions used in the analysis.
      • Identify conditions that may require reassessment in a future five-year update.
  • Plan Update Commitment
    • Include a statement committing to review and update of the Water Supply Element no less frequently than every five years.

Task 3: Strategic Growth Element Update

• The consultant shall prepare a standalone Strategic Growth Element that includes the following required components:
  • Policies and Tools to Promote Strategic Growth and Prevent Sprawl
    • Describe existing policies and tools currently used by the County.
    • Develop an updated Future Land Use Map that establishes clear density ranges for designated areas throughout the County and identifies Housing Opportunity Areas.
  • Infill Analysis
    • Provide an area-based analysis of vacant and underutilized sites with an emphasis on identifying potential areas for affordable housing.
    • Designate Tier 1 Urban Service Areas as priority locations for infill and redevelopment.
  • Greenfield Analysis and Fiscal Impact
    • Analyze undeveloped sites, including identified Village Centers.
    • Provide general fiscal metrics describing long-term infrastructure and service costs.
  • Housing Needs Linkage
    • Demonstrate how strategic growth policies support the County’s documented housing needs as noted in the April 2025 Archuleta County & Town of Pagosa Springs: Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
  • Plan Update Commitment
    • Include a statement committing to review and updating the Strategic Growth Element no less frequently than every five years.

Task 4: Public Engagement (Statutory Requirement)

• The consultant shall conduct public engagement sufficiently to meet statutory requirements for adoption of a Comprehensive Plan.
  At a minimum, the consultant shall:
  • Develop a public engagement plan that ensures broad and inclusive participation, that may include:
    • Stakeholder meetings and workshops
    • Community survey (online and/or paper)
    • Outreach materials and presentations
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders including but not limited to:
    • Town of Pagosa Springs
    • La Plata Electric Association (LPEA)
    • Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD)
    • Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID)
    • Archuleta School District #50 JT
    • Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA)
    • Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation
      • Conduct at least:
        • One public meeting or open house during plan development
        • One public meeting or hearing to review the draft plan
      • Provide opportunities for public comments
      • Summarize public input and describe how it informed the updated plan

1. Closing submission date:
   March 9, 2026, by 3:30 pm
2. Inquiries:
   Inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to Chad Eaton at 970-264-8554. Proposers may direct questions via email, by phone, or in-person meeting.

• Updated Comprehensive Plan document
• Updated Water Supply Element
• Added Strategic Growth Element with Future Land Use maps
• Summary of public engagement and responses
  • Survey results summary (if utilized)

All costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal responding to this RFP will be the responsibility of the proposer and will not be reimbursed by Archuleta County.

The proposer’s proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked in the lower lefthand corner with the following information:

Archuleta County Community Plan Update
RFP No. 2026-01

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Understanding of DOLA comments and statutory requirements
• Technical approach to required updates
• Experience with Colorado comprehensive planning
• Public engagement approach
• Cost and schedule/timeline
  Please note: cost shall not exceed (NTE) $140,000, which is contingent on County receipt of State of Colorado LPC 50% matching grant. Should the county not receive State matching grant, cost shall not exceed (NTE) $70,000