The City of Idaho Springs has created an updated, draft Comprehensive Plan. Idaho Springs is requesting comments on the draft Plan from now until July 15, 2026.
The plan can be reviewed at the following link: https://www.idahospringsco.com/media/4626.
The city's objectives and strategies for achieving these objectives can be found here: https://www.idahospringsco.com/media/4621.
Contact Community Development Planner Dylan Graves at DGraves [at] idahospringsco.com (DGraves[at]idahospringsco[dot]com) to provide comments, ask questions, need translation services, or would prefer a paper copy.
This is the result of over a year of public outreach and engagement; hours of staff research; coordination with regional agencies, local stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders; and significant review by the city's Planning Commission, Historic Preservation and Review Commission, and other local boards and commissions. The goal of the Comprehensive Plan is to guide development and decision-making in the city for the next 10-20 years, setting achievable objectives and strategies to accomplish the city's goals. The city will use this document to grow but will also use the document to maintain existing historic community character.
Over the next month, we are soliciting feedback and comments that will go into the final draft. The goal is to have this document completed by August 2026.
FAQs
What is a comprehensive plan?
The Comprehensive Plan looks into the future. It is a roadmap for the future of the City of Idaho Springs. It is a policy document that provides guidance to City Council, Planning Commission, City Staff, residents, businesses, and developers to facilitate informed decisions about the current and future needs of the community. A comprehensive plan is used to help inform growth and change over time. The goal is to build on the past to strengthen the future. Importantly, a comprehensive plan is a guidance document - it is non-regulatory, but helps shape and inform decisions.
Why is a comprehensive plan important?
It helps shape the future of a city by creating a balanced, sustainable plan for growth. It can improve quality of life, reduce urban sprawl, protect the environment, and enhance economic opportunities. As a community document, the hope is that there will be substantial public involvement and engagement. This ensures that the community's vision for the future - not just a few people who work for the city, but everyone who lives, works, and recreates in the city - has a say in how the city plans for the future.
What specific areas are covered in the plan?
The plan contains several specific elements, including: Housing, Sustainable Growth, Land Use and Community Character, Transportation, Water Supply, Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, Parks and Open Space, Historic Preservation, and Public Facilities and Services.
Are there any challenges or limitations on what we can create?
Challenges can include balancing competing interests (e.g., development vs. preservation), addressing funding and resource limitations, and ensuring meaningful community engagement. Economic shifts, political changes, and unexpected growth can also make planning difficult. Additionally, there are a variety of State laws that regulate what must go into a comprehensive plan. For example, a city cannot choose to deny all development and completely limit growth. Rather, the city must determine where growth is appropriate and allow for strategic development.