Stewardship Through Development
Land Use And Development Policy Revision
TBD
In Progress
Completed or Current
Review and update land use and development policy documentsUtilize community engagement activities to validate development goals and community values that encourage economic diversity, preserve and enhance quality of life, protect natural resources, and support affordable living. Review and redraft the current policy documents, including the Community Plan, Land Use Regulations, Adopted Building Codes, Nuisance and Noise Ordinances, Road & Bridge Design Standards, and Local On-site Wastewater Treatment System Regulations, to ensure development goals and community values are appropriately represented in each.
Contract has been signed with HR Green to complete the Community Plan update; Development Services Director is reviewing Land Use regulations and compiling potential changes for recommendation in conjunction with Community Plan update findings; Building Code and On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems regulation updates were approved July 1 (OWTS is still updating portions of the new regulation). Yellow
Simplify the development approval processStreamline the permitting and approval process for developments that meet the County’s intended outcomes concerning development goals and community values, making it easier for responsible development to proceed.
State certified for Fastrack/Prop 123 guidance for streamlined permitting related to affordable housing. Development Services Director is reviewing Land Use regulations and compiling potential changes for recommendation in conjunction with Community Plan update findings. Green
Incorporate feedback mechanisms Establish a more dynamic system for regularly engaging with residents to receive feedback on development policies, ensuring that community values are reflected in development processes.
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Feedback has started with the Community Forums and building code update meetings, and the Comprehensive Plan Update community meetings will begin in August. We will continue meetings at least twice a year to continue receiving feedback (Last mtg held: 6/18/26).
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A Comprehensive Plan webpage has been created to inform the public about upcoming meetings, share exhibits, and provide educational materials. A Community Survey was created and has been released to the public July 23, 2026. Focus group meetings will begin July 27th. Green
Economic Diversification
Foster public-private partnershipsEncourage partnerships between the County, private sector, and nonprofits to drive economic development projects that align with community values.
The County currently works with or is a member of the CDC, Colorado Region 9, Mainstreet, Tourism Board to promote local/regional economic development projects. We will look to survey current partners to identify potential other organizations/companies to partner with. We will look for opportunities to develop/drive projects. Yellow
Support local entrepreneurshipPartner in the removal of barriers and the creation of policies, programs, and resources that support local entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping them to grow and diversify the local economy.
The County currently works with or is a member of the CDC, Colorado Region 9, Mainstreet, Tourism Board to promote local/regional economic development projects that help grow and diversity the local economy. Yellow
Attract new industriesWork with partners for targeted outreach efforts to attract new industries to the County, particularly in sectors that do not consume high levels of regionally scarce resources such as water and electricity.
TBD. Red
Partner with educational institutionsCollaborate with local schools, colleges, and workforce training programs to align educational opportunities with the skills needed for existing and emerging industries.
TBD. Red
Leverage tourism and recreationExpand economic opportunities in the tourism and outdoor recreation sectors by investing in infrastructure and moving the conversation toward using these to grow new opportunities.
The County has paved road and parking to/at Cloman Park, and continues to fund park projects and related infrastructure via its Conservation Trust Fund. The current Lodging Tax supports local tourism marketing. Yellow
Develop And Monitor Quality-of-life Indicators
Create a quality-of-life task forceEstablish a task force of community members, local leaders, and experts to define measurable quality-of-life indicators, periodically collect and review data, and produce regular reports for the community that provide recommendations for improvement.
TBD. Some quality-of-life indicators are available via Region 9, the CDC, Chamber of Commerce, local housing authorities, etc., but no task force exists. Red
Conduct annual quality-of-life assessmentsPerform annual assessments of the County’s progress on quality-of-life indicators, with results used to inform policy updates and development decisions.
TBD. A Community Survey for the Comp Plan has been released July 23rd but it is not an all encompassing quality-of-live assessment. Red
Integrate quality-of-life metrics into development policiesEnsure that all development projects are evaluated based on their potential impact on the County’s quality-of-life indicators.
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TBD. Red
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The Comprehensive Plan – Community Survey has been released to the community. The community survey will play a pivotal role in supporting the plan’s vision, goals, and priorities. Questions will cover quality of life, growth and land use, water, housing, and county services. the intent of the survey is to understand the community’s experiences and hopes for the county’s future.
Address Affordable Cost Of Living
Conduct a comprehensive housing studySupport a housing study to identify gaps in the current housing inventory, as well as the specific needs for affordable and workforce housing. Update the study periodically to measure changes and progress toward goals.
A Joint City/County Housing Needs Assessment was completed in 2025, the Joint Housing Action Plan is nearing completion, and the County Community Plan Update began in July 2026. Green
Map funding opportunitiesIdentify and map potential funding sources for affordable workforce housing projects, including federal and state grants, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships.
The County has collaborated with the City, Habitat for Humanity, CDC, and ACHD funding affordable workforce housing projects and securing grant funding. This includes Prop 123 grants, use of STR fines, and previous County funding of tap fees. Green
Review and revise housing policiesConduct a policy review to identify barriers to affordable workforce housing development, and update policies to encourage the creation of more affordable options.
A Joint City/County Housing Needs Assessment was completed in 2025, the Joint Housing Action Plan is nearing completion, and a County Community Plan Update began in July 2026. Findings from the HAP and the Community Plan update will be utilized in adopting revised County Land Use Code NLT early 2027. Yellow
Support the Workforce Housing FundExplore ways to generate funding for the Workforce Housing Fund, created to support the development of affordable workforce housing.
TBD. Red
Streamline building processesSimplify the approval and permitting process for affordable workforce housing developments to accelerate the construction of new units.
The County received certification as a Prop 123 Fastrack-compliant government entity. The County will also revise its Land Use Regulations NLT early 2027 following input gained from its Community Plan update. Yellow
Milestones
Completion of a comprehensive policy review and zoning updatesThe County reviews existing development policies, implementing updates that support conservation, protect open spaces, and encourage sustainable, clustered development.
Improved coordination with partners for land use planningThe County strengthens partnerships with key organizations and land-use planning entities to protect the community character and WUI, ensuring new developments align with long-term community character desires and resource constraints.
Expanded economic opportunities in new industriesEconomic diversification efforts result in the attraction or expansion of at least two new or emerging industries, providing higher-paying jobs and reducing reliance on traditional sectors.
Create a quality-of-life reporting systemThe County supports the development and launch of a system to track and publicly report on key quality-of-life indicators, with annual assessments guiding development decisions and policy adjustments.
Increased availability of affordable workforce housing unitsThere is measurable progress in increasing the inventory of affordable workforce housing, with new developments incorporating a range of price points to accommodate diverse income levels.
