Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan

The aim of the first plan approved in 1977 was to concentrate urban development in the city and preserve the rural character of lands outside the city service area. Since then, the plan has evolved to also:

• State the community's core values, commitments and long-term vision
• Guide decisions about growth, development, preservation, environmental protection, economic development, affordable housing, culture and arts, urban design, neighborhood character and transportation
• Inform decisions about how services like police, fire, water utilities and others are provided
• Define the desired land use pattern for the Boulder Valley by establishing the location, type and intensity of development and setting land use designations
• Offer a starting point the reflects our visions and values as the community develops strategies and policies to confront emerging issues and challenges
• Serve as a foundation for city and countywide plans created by city and county departments to implement the goals of the plan

What is the Boulder Valley? What communities are included?

The plan affects a defined area – the City of Boulder and portions of unincorporated Boulder County, including Gunbarrel – and does not include or affect neighboring communities such as Louisville and Lafayette.

The Boulder Valley planning area is generally bounded by:

• The mountains on the west
• Neva Road and Niwot Road on the north
• Mineral Road on the northeast
• 95th Street on the east,
• Davidson Mesa and the Coal Creek drainage on the southeast,
• The south county line on the south

See map below for more details.

• Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan 2020 Mid-Term Update (PDF)

The most recent mid-term update, a routine process to ensure the BVCP incorporated recent area plans and current maps, took place from 2020 to 2021. The mid-term update reviewed progress made toward the objectives identified in the last major plan update, provided an opportunity for the community to request changes to the plan that do not involve significant city and county resources and make minor additions or clarifications to the policy section.

Area I

Area I is an area within the City of Boulder. This land has adequate urban facilities and services and is expected to continue to accommodate urban development.

Area II

Area II is under Boulder County's jurisdiction, where annexation to the city could be considered. New urban development may only occur if adequate facilities and services are or will be available.

Area III

Area III is the remainder of the Boulder Valley and for the most part is in Boulder County. The Area III-Rural Preservation Area is preserved for rural land uses and character. The Area III-Planning Reserve Area is sub-area where the city and county maintain the option of future development.

The community's elected leaders on the Boulder City Council and the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, along with the city’s appointed Planning Board and county’s Planning Commission approve changes to the plan. These governmental bodies provide guidance to the City of Boulder's Planning & Development Services Department and Boulder County's Community Planning & Permitting Department, which conduct public outreach, do research and draft the plan.

Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework

The framework explicitly identifies the community’s values expressed in the BVCP.

Community Profile

The Boulder Community Profile gives an overview of the key indicators and trends of Boulder population, housing, jobs, and land use.