BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update

The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan is the City of Boulder’s Comprehensive plan guiding land use, development and community priorities for the City of Boulder. The city and county share a common goal of directing urban development to urban areas and preserving the distinction between the urban nature of the city and the rural character of the county.

Since the 1970s, the City of Boulder and Boulder County have jointly adopted the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) in acknowledgement that the city and county must work together to achieve this outcome. The BVCP also provides the city and the county the opportunity to identify other areas where collaboration may be needed to achieve a common goal.

The BVCP is currently undergoing a major update to respond to changing conditions and community needs, in order to ensure the plan remains relevant in its guidance. A major update occurs every ten years.

ABoulderFuture.org is the primary website for the ten year major update, please visit that website to read about the work that has been completed to date. A draft of the updated Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan was published March 3, 2026, please visit the website to review the draft plan and submit your comments on the draft. Comments will be accepted through April 3, 2026. Following the comment period a revised, recommended draft will be developed and published. The recommended draft is expected to be published mid-May. Public Hearings for the adoption of the plan are scheduled for June 2026.

The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan is adopted by four decision making bodies including City Planning Board, City Council, the County Planning Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners. Details and links to the materials for County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners meetings and hearings are provided below.

Materials published for City Planning Board will be found on the City of Boulder Planning Board website. City Council agenda packets are also made available through the City Council Agendas and Materials website.

Upcoming County Meetings on Draft Plan

BOCC Public Meeting – Docket BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update, April 9, 2026 at 1 p.m.

The BOCC will be given a brief high level overview of the draft plan. The meeting provides the BOCC with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to staff on the draft plan. The BOCC is not requested to make any decision at this meeting. No public testimony will be taken.

Detailed meeting information can be found on the BOCC Calendar Event Page for April 9.

View the BOCC Staff Memo for Docket BVCP-25-0001, April 9.

Joint Work Session of City of Boulder Planning Board, City Council, County Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners: Docket BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update, April 13, 2026 at 5-8 p.m.

The meeting provides the four bodies with the opportunity to discuss the draft plan with each other and staff. The four bodies are not requested to make any decision at this meeting. No public testimony will be taken.

Dinner for the four bodies will be held from 5-6 p.m., with the meeting portion of the evening beginning at 6 p.m.

Detailed meeting information can be found on the Calendar Event Page for April 13.

Upcoming County Meetings for Plan Adoption

Joint Public Hearing of County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners: Docket BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update, June 11, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners will be given an overview of the recommended plan by staff.

Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners are requested to ask any clarifying questions of staff after the presentation, to hold the public hearing, to deliberate as time permits, and to continue the meetings to June 17, 2026 and June 25, 2026 respectively as may be necessary for further deliberation and decision making.

This is a public hearing and public testimony will be taken.

Public Meeting of Planning Commission: Docket BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update, June 17, 2026 1:30 p.m.

Planning Commission will continue deliberation and decision making on the recommended plan.

This is a public meeting, no public testimony will be taken.

Public Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners: Docket BVCP-25-0001: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Major Update, June 25, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The Board of County Commissioners will deliberation and decision making on the recommended plan.

This is a public meeting and no public testimony will be taken.

Boulder Valley Planning Area

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, including Gunbarrel (it does not include neighboring communities such as Niwot, Louisville, and Lafayette). The current boundaries of the planning area are as shown on the Planning Areas I, II, III Map.

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