Comprehensive Plans

The comprehensive plan is based on inventories, studies, surveys, analysis of current trends and, throughout the planning process, residents, planners, and planning commission members consider the social, economic, and environmental consequences of the plan and existing and projected population.

Considering Specific Reports and Plans (Required)

Beginning in 2026, local and regional planning commissions must consider the following when adopting or amending a comprehensive plan where applicable or appropriate (per C.R.S. 30-28-106(3)(a.3) and C.R.S. 31-23-206(1.3)(c)):

• Applicable housing needs assessments (First statutory deadline for HNAs is Dec 31, 2026) 
• Statewide Strategic Growth Report (publication deadline is October 31, 2025)
• Natural Land and Agricultural Opportunities Report (publication deadline is December 31, 2025)
• Colorado Water Plan (tips on Connecting to the Colorado Water Plan)

The principal purpose for a comprehensive plan is to be a guide for the achievement of community goals and aspirations. A plan will also:

• State and promote broad community values in the plan goals, objectives, policies and programs.
• Establish a planning process for orderly growth and development, and economic health.
• Balance competing interests and demands.
• Provide for coordination and coherence in the pattern of development.
• Provide for a balance between the natural and built environment.
• Reflect regional conditions and consider regional impacts.
• Address both current and long-term needs.

The planning commission is responsible for preparing the plan, distributing the plan, holding public hearings on the plan, and adopting the plan. For counties, comprehensive plans are subject to the approval of the County Commissioners. For municipalities, comprehensive plans are subject to approval by their governing body.

Public participation helps to guide the planning commission in making decisions and in promoting community understanding of planning needs and issues. Public hearings are required before the plan is adopted, but best practice is to engage the community broadly, throughout the planning process and well before public hearings to build community consensus and understanding of the issues and data and to generate active participation in planning to get helpful input that can shape the outcome. Residents who have been engaged throughout the planning process and are well informed can provide meaningful support of the plan's implementation, including support for local programs, projects, and regulations. DOLA’s Inclusive Engagement for Community Planning webpage provides additional considerations and resources, including an engagement plan template.

Required Elements

Elements that are required in Colorado’s comprehensive plan statute (C.R.S. 30-28-106 and 31-23-206) include:

• A narrative description of the procedure used for the development and adoption of the comprehensive plan, including a summary of any objections to the comprehensive plan made by neighboring jurisdictions (defined in C.R.S. 24-32-3209(1)(h), and includes special district water providers per 30-28-106(3)(a.3)(I) and 31-23-206(1.3)(b))
• Housing Action Plan (most recent housing action plan adopted pursuant to C.R.S. 24-32-3705)
• Recreation and Tourism
• Strategic Growth (more guidance available early 2026)
  • Population and growth rate-related exemptions apply per C.R.S. 30-28-106(3)(a.7)(II) and 31-23-206 (1.7)(b))
  • Completed by December 31, 2026
  • Updated no less frequently than every five years
• Three-mile Plan (required of Regional Planning Commissions and municipalities)
• Water Supply (additional guidance)
  • Completed by December 31, 2026
  • Updated no less frequently than every five years

Other Common Elements

• Statement of Objectives, Policies and Programs
• Relationship of Plan to the Trends/Plans of the Region
• Capital Improvements
• Cultural/Historical/Social Setting
• Economic Development
• Educational Facilities
• Efficiency in Government
• Energy
• Environment
• Hazards
• Land Use
• Natural and Cultural Resources
• Parks and Open Space
• Sustainability
• Transportation
• Urban Design
• Urban Influence Area
• Utility and Facility Plan

In addition to statutory requirements, DOLA’s Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) requires planning grant recipients to include certain components, such as robust community engagement and an action plan, and strongly encourages others, such as land use code updates and intergovernmental agreements (IGAs). Review the most recent guidelines on the EIAF webpage for more information. 

The adopted comprehensive plan can be used in many ways and a strong implementation section is critical to operationalize the plan. For example, the plan can be used as:

• A basis for regulatory actions: The plan serves as a foundation and guide for the provisions of the zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, the land use map, flood hazard regulations, annexation decisions and other decisions made under these regulations.
• A basis for community programs and decision making: The plan is a guide and resource for the recommendations contained in a capital budget and program, for a community development program, and for direction and content of other local initiatives, such as water protection, recreation or open space land acquisition and housing.
• A source for planning studies: Few plans can address every issue in sufficient detail. Therefore, many plans will recommend further studies to develop courses of action on a specific need.
• A standard for review at the County and State level: Other regulatory processes identify the municipal comprehensive plan (and associated Three-Mile Plan) as a standard for review of applications. Comprehensive plans are important to the development of regional plans or inter-municipal programs, i.e., a regional trail network or area transit program.
• A source of information: The plan is a valuable source of information for local boards, commissions, organizations, citizens and business.
• A long-term guide: The plan is a long-term guide by which to measure and evaluate public and private proposals that affect the physical, social and economic environment of the community.