A Boulder Today highlights snapshots of our community through the lens of the Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework goals

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County and the City of Boulder and have published “A Boulder Today,” snapshots of our community today through the lens of the Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework goals, as the first phase of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update.

The comprehensive plan guides policy, land use and long-term planning in the Boulder Valley, including how the community will look and feel, the transportation networks that connect us and changes to our natural and built environment over the next 20 years.

The first part of the update centers around understanding the current local context and trends of the Boulder Valley community, the environment and the region in order to best guide future policy choices. A Boulder Today organizes the Boulder Valley’s current conditions by the SER Framework goals including:

• Accessible and Connected
• Economically Vital
• Environmentally Sustainable
• Healthy and Socially Thriving
• Livable
• Responsibly Governed
• Safe

As part of the first steps in the update, the city and county asked community members about their hopes and priorities for the future to help shape the plan’s vision and focus areas. The SER Framework goals that came up the most were Livable, Environmentally Sustainable and Safe. Many ideas have begun to emerge from these conversations, including key themes around affordable living, climate action, crime, public safety, social connection, gathering, arts and culture, walkable 15-minute neighborhoods and housing density and diversity.

The next phase of the update, “A Boulder Tomorrow,” will define focus areas for deeper exploration based on the community’s priorities and interests, and inform potential policy updates.

Community members are invited to share feedback during this phase in a variety of ways, including:

• Help further define the community’s vision for the future by answering a few questions online through Feb. 14.
• In person, on Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Boulder City Council Chambers at 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302. Join the city, the county and Motus Playback Theater for an engaging event where your vision for the Boulder Valley is captured and comes to life on stage. Share your story or reflection about what matters most to you, and watch professional actors transform it into a theatrical performance with movement, music and spoken word. Everyone is welcome, and live Spanish interpretation will be provided. RSVP with Motus.
• Additional engagement opportunities including pop-up events, questionnaires and office hours with staff will be announced over the next few months. Sign up to receive A Boulder Future News, the city's newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events and the latest about the update!

Visit ABoulderFuture.org to learn more about the update and all the ways to get involved.

What is the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan?

The BVCP was first adopted in 1977 and is intended to guide long range planning and policies to meet the Boulder Valley community’s vision and goals for the next 20 years. The plan undergoes a major update every 10 years, with mid-term updates in between. The BVCP has shaped the Boulder Valley for the past five decades, and we invite everyone in the community to help us shape the next 20 years.

The planning area encompasses the Boulder Valley, which is generally defined as those areas bounded by the mountain backdrop on the west, 95th Street on the east, Davidson Mesa and the Coal Creek drainage on the southeast, the south county line on the south, Mineral Road on the northeast and Neva Road and Niwot Road on the north. The plan includes the City of Boulder and portions of unincorporated Boulder County surrounding the city. The current boundaries of the planning area are as shown below on the map.

If you have any questions, please contact Boulder County at LongRange@bouldercounty.gov.

Were you forwarded this email? Sign up to receive future Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Updates from Boulder County.

Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email ada@bouldercounty.gov, or call 303-441-1386. If you need help in another language, please email cppfrontdesk@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3930.