Public invited to review proposed changes and provide feedback

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting will present two proposed Land Use Code text amendments to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. The public is encouraged to review the proposals and provide feedback.

The hearing will be held in a hybrid format, allowing community members to participate virtually through Zoom or in person at the Boulder County Courthouse in downtown Boulder. Public testimony will be accepted.

The proposed amendments stem from a direction provided by the Board of County Commissioners earlier this year following discussions about potential land use impacts associated with data centers and detention centers in unincorporated Boulder County. In June 2026, the board initiated a temporary moratorium on applications related to these uses while staff developed proposed code amendments.

Note: These proposed changes are for the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not municipalities like Boulder or Longmont. Boulder County’s unincorporated areas comprise the rural, mountainous and plains communities that are not part of any incorporated municipality.  

Docket DC-26-0003: Text Amendments Related to Data Centers

The Boulder County Land Use Code does not currently define data centers as a specific use or identify where and at what scale they may be appropriate in unincorporated Boulder County. The proposed amendments would establish a definition for data centers and identify where they may be allowed.

Under the proposal, data centers would be limited to facilities with an information technology (IT) energy load of 75 kilowatts or less, subject to Limited Impact Special Review, and allowed only in Light Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts. Larger data centers would not be permitted under the proposed regulations.

View the Staff Recommendation for Docket DC-26-0003, or more information at boco.org/dc-26-0003.

Docket DC-26-0004: Text Amendments Related to Detention Centers

The Boulder County Land Use Code does not currently define detention centers as a specific use or identify where they may be permitted. The proposed amendments would define detention centers and clarify that they are not permitted in unincorporated Boulder County.

The proposal would define detention centers as facilities where individuals are held in custody, including holding areas, prisons, jails, correctional facilities, penal institutions, or similar facilities, whether publicly or privately owned.

View the Staff Recommendation for Docket DC-26-0004, or more information at boco.org/dc-26-0004.

Public Hearing Information

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Boulder County Courthouse, Third Floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder, or online via Zoom. Register to participate virtually, or sign-up to speak in person. A kiosk will be available at the courthouse for in person speaker sign-up on the day of the hearing.

How to Submit Written Comments

Community members may submit written comments online by Tuesday Nov. 9. For more information, contact Ethan Abner, Long Range Planning & Policy.

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.