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Boulder city and county approve updated comprehensive plan guiding growth
ColoradoBiz Staff //August 24, 2026//
Boulder city and county approve updated comprehensive plan guiding growth
ColoradoBiz Staff //August 24, 2026//
In Brief:
- Boulder City Council and County commissioners approve plan
- Plan update process began in 2024 with extensive public input
- Focus on mixed-income neighborhoods and climate resilience
- Plan protects rural character and open spaces in county
The city of Boulder and Boulder County have approved an updated Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan that will guide land use, housing, transportation, climate policy and economic development over the next 20 years.
The plan took effect after approval by the Boulder City Council, Boulder Planning Board, Boulder County commissioners and County Planning Commission. The two-year update process began in 2024.
The plan supports increasing the number and types of housing available in Boulder. It calls for more mixed-income neighborhoods with access to walking, bicycling, nature and transportation options. It also includes policies addressing climate resilience, the local economy, food systems and the needs of residents across age groups and cultures.
“The updated plan continues to emphasize that urban levels of development should be within the city, which protects the rural character and open spaces in the unincorporated parts of the county,” Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy said.
The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan was first approved nearly 50 years ago and receives a major update every 10 years.
The city and county said residents participated through more than 75 public engagement opportunities, including open houses, workshops, surveys, online forums and public hearings. Boulder’s first Community Assembly also developed recommendations related to 15-minute neighborhoods, which influenced the plan’s land-use map and policies.
The plan will be implemented through future programs, projects and policy decisions. A web-based version is scheduled to become available this fall at ABoulderFuture.org.
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