The City of Boulder and Boulder County invite community members to answer online questions, gather with their community, join workshops, complete Community Change Requests and more

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County and the City of Boulder invite community members to participate in a series of interactive events this summer and fall as part of the next stage of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update, called A Boulder Direction.

This stage of the process builds on the ideas, priorities and goals already shared by community members over the past year — including housing choice and opportunity, inclusive local economy, climate action, stronger food systems and more. In our previous stage, A Boulder Tomorrow, we asked the community to think about the future and identify key areas that the plan update should address. This sparked big ideas, refined priorities and contributed to a shared vision for the Boulder Valley.

Our Shared Vision for the Boulder Valley

The City of Boulder and Boulder County are working together to build a strong future for our community. We are committed to a shared vision that reflects the values and hopes of the people who live, work and play here.

"Our community works together to ensure everyone belongs, to create opportunities for all and to sustain the health of the Boulder Valley for future generations."

To realize this vision, we will:

• Balance housing opportunities and economic activity with natural ecosystems and rural lands
• Serve as a model for innovation and action as we face a changing climate
• Strengthen physical and social connections that are accessible to everyone
• Embrace our diverse experiences, community partnerships and creative spirit to solve tough problems

Now, the city and county are working with partners and community members to explore strategies and policies that could help bring this collective vision to life.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

• Aug. 11 to Sept. 2 | Answer a few questions online to help shape potential policies on the future of housing choice and opportunity, an inclusive local economy, natural hazard resilience and more. We’ve taken what we’ve heard from the community about the vision for the future of the Boulder Valley – help us develop strategies and policies to get us there.
• Aug. 19 | From Vision to Action: Community Member Hosted Gatherings | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Join fellow Boulderites in hosting your own community conversation in a location of your choice.
  • Gather a group of friends, family, neighbors or anyone in your community to host a workshop to help shape policies and strategies to achieve the community’s vision. You’ll be joined online for opening and closing remarks from the city and county, receive a host guide to help facilitate the conversation and submit your group’s findings at the end of the evening. Hosted in partnership with YOUnify.
  • Aug. 14 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Virtual Host Training | Take the training to be a host and sign up to host your own gathering.
• Sept. 9 | From Vision to Action: Plotting the Course for Boulder’s Future | Casey Middle School Cafeteria, 1301 High St. | 6 to 8 p.m. | Hands-on workshop where you will explore different potential land use strategies for the comprehensive plan — and help decide which ideas best move us toward the community’s shared goals. Hosted in partnership with YOUnify.
• Sept. 15 to Oct. 17 | Statistically Valid Survey | This September, a statistically valid mail-in survey will be distributed. An online companion questionnaire with the same questions will be available starting Sept. 22 for anyone who doesn’t receive a survey invitation.
• Sept. 17 | Office Hours | Penfield Tate N101 | 1777 Broadway Blvd | 4 to 6 p.m. | The comprehensive planning update team will be available to answer questions about the update process. No presentation will be given.
• Through this fall, the city invites community members to participate in Voicing Boulder, a new project led by local artist Chris Carruth. Participants are encouraged to submit videos or photographs of meaningful places, objects or scenes around Boulder, paired with short written or audio reflections that describe their desires for the city’s future. Some submissions may be selected for an exhibit and even as part of the adopted plan. Details on how to participate are available on the Voicing Boulder website.

Community Change Requests

The city and county will also open Community Change Requests on Aug. 11 through Oct. 3 as part of the plan update. Community Change Requests give community members and property owners the chance to propose changes to the comprehensive plan text, policies, the Land Use Designation Map or the Planning Areas I, II, III Map. Anyone can submit a request, or multiple requests, to be considered during the update — whether you live in Boulder, own property here or are simply interested in how the Boulder Valley evolves.
 
Visit ABoulderFuture.org to learn more.

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.