Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. Colorado
  4. Boulder
  5. Issues

Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Update

At a glance

  • What: The major (10-year) update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, the long-range land use and policy plan adopted jointly by the City Council and Planning Board. Council and Planning Board each have to approve it.
  • Where it stands: The joint public hearing was held June 4, 2026, and both bodies voted to continue it for deliberation and action. Planning Board set June 16 (no more public comment); Council set June 25 (no more public comment). The minutes obtained so far do not cover those later meetings.
  • Agenda note: The October 1, 2026 City Council agenda lists adoption of the 2025 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan 10-year update on the consent agenda (agenda only; October 1 minutes are not yet posted).
  • Next: Check the June 16 Planning Board, June 25 Council and October 1 minutes when posted.

Joint public hearing, June 4, 2026

  • Special meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. with all nine Council members present; the May 21 Council meeting had converted the June 4 regular meeting into a special meeting to hold this joint hearing with the Planning Board.
  • Planning Board members Kaplan, Hanson-Thiem, Lord, McIntyre, Nordback, Robers and Robles (seven) joined at 6:13 p.m.
  • Staff presentation by Brad Mueller (Planning and Development Services Director), Kristopher Johnson (Comprehensive Planning Manager), Kathleen King (Principal Comprehensive Planning Planner) and Sara Horn (Senior City Planner), followed by questions.
  • Public hearing 7:35 to 8:10 p.m.; 17 speakers (listed below). The minutes record speaker names, whether in person or virtual, and pooled time only, not what each said.
  • Planning Board: Vice Chair Hanson-Thiem moved, Robles seconded, to continue to June 16, 2026 for deliberation and action; carried 7:0. Chair Kaplan said no additional public comment would be taken then and encouraged written comments by email. Planning Board adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
  • Council: Marquis moved, Speer seconded, to continue to June 25, 2026 for Council deliberation and action; carried 9:0. No additional public comment on June 25; Mayor Brockett encouraged emailed comments. Adjourned 8:17 p.m.

Speakers on June 4: Lynn Segal, Ben Molk, Jonathan Singer, Danica Powell, Evan Ravitz, Marki LeCompte, Crystal Gray, Karen Hollweg, Donna George, Sara George, Dinah McKay, Mark George, Lisa Spalding, Tom Birkle, Miho Shida, Pedro Silva, William Hammel.

  • May 21, 2026: Council approved converting the June 4 regular meeting to a special meeting for the joint hearing (consent item).
  • June 4, 2026: Council approved converting the June 25 study session to a special meeting to hold the continued public hearing (consent item C, 9:0).

Sources

Log

2026-10-06 - Planning Board

Two annexations needed land use map changes from Rural Lands to Neighborhood 1 under the 2025 update; the board approved both 6-0 and found RR1 zoning inconsistent with Neighborhood 1. See Native American Rights Fund Annexation and Githens Acres Enclave Annexation.

2026-10-01 - City Council Regular Meeting

Listed on the consent agenda as adoption of the 2025 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan 10-year update (agenda only; minutes not yet posted).

2026-06-04 - City Council Special Meeting

Joint hearing with Planning Board; 17 speakers; Planning Board continued to June 16 (7:0) and Council to June 25 (9:0). The June 25 study session was converted to a special meeting for the continued hearing.

2026-05-21 - City Council

Consent item converted the June 4 regular meeting into a special meeting for the joint hearing.

2026-09-23 - Housing Advisory Board

Staff told the Housing Advisory Board that new comprehensive plan designations may allow future rezones that expand transit-oriented communities areas, but implementation will take years.