County Updates Comprehensive Plan

Published on January 24, 2020

County updates comprehensive plan

Growth - the media writes about it, the state demographer predicts it, and we all feel it. So, the time is right to take a look at the Weld County Comprehensive Plan. This plan, which serves as the foundation for the policies the county uses when managing growth, is due to be updated per county code this year.

As part of the updating process, the Board of Commissioners would like the help of county residents – tell us what you think about growth in the unincorporated areas of the county. Where do you want to see growth occurring? Are the right things being put in the right places? And because more people means more traffic – how do you rate the county’s roadway system, and where are you experiencing traffic congestion?

“Updating this plan is extremely important for the county,” said Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “Attitudes toward growth and development change over time, and the board wants to ensure the plan takes those changes into account for the update. So come see us at the Colorado Farm Show January 28 through the 30th and give us your opinions.”

The show will be held at Island Grove Regional Park and county representatives will be at Booth 9 (near the main entrance of the Exhibition Building) gathering input from residents.

“The county booth will have interactive ways for county residents to express their views about growth,” said Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, coordinator for the planning department this year. “Whether you live in a municipality or in the unincorporated area, your opinion and feedback are valuable. We all have an interest in how our county grows.”

Can’t make it to the Farm Show? There will be numerous opportunities for public input throughout the next six months across the county. Visit www.weld2020vision.com and watch our social media for more information including event dates and times as they are scheduled.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

  • The Comprehensive Plan was originally developed in 1974 and revised in 1987, 1995, 2002 and 2008.
  • According to the County Code, an overall review and update will be conducted at least every ten (10) years, or earlier as directed by the Board of County Commissioners.
  • 2,570,711 – total number of acres in Weld County.
  • 2,422,516 – total number of acres in unincorporated Weld County (including the 193,000 acres of the Pawnee National Grasslands)
  • 314,250 - total population of Weld County as of July 2018
  • 244,116 - total population of Weld County in 2008 (time of the last plan update)
  • 699,836 – projected population of Weld County by the year 2050.