Long Range Planning

Current Projects

Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan
Adams County has partnered with Bohannan Huston and Economic & Planning Systems, Inc to develop a plan for Federal Boulevard in unincorporated Adams County. The Federal Blvd Plan will evaluate and make recommendations on topics such as corridor aesthetics, land uses, infrastructure, multimodal transportation, and economic development. Visit the project page and learn about future opportunities to participate.

Strasburg Subarea Plan
Adams and Arapahoe counties are working together to create a plan for Strasburg’s next 20 years. The plan will ensure we are making decisions that meet the current needs and desires of the community, preserve the agricultural heritage of the area, and manage growth in a responsible manner. Visit the project page.

Water Master Plan
A Water Baseline Assessment was completed in 2023. This assessment provided a snapshot of Adams County’s growth and water resources. The creation of a comprehensive Water Master Plan is Adams County’s next step in integrated water management planning. The Water Master Plan will integrate and build upon the water baseline assessment and fill data gaps, address land use, and build relationships with water providers in the county. The plan is currently underway with more details here.

Applicable Plans Map

Click on a point on the map or search by address to find what plans apply to a property.

Adopted Long Range Plans

Date and description of each of the long range plans Adams County has adopted (listed in alphaphetical order):

120th Ave Safety and Multimodal Corridor Study

The 120th Ave Safety & Multimodal Corridor Study Final Report presents a comprehensive analysis and strategic plan to enhance the safety, functionality, capacity, and reliability of the 120th Ave corridor. This corridor is a critical east-west arterial route serving Adams County, the City of Brighton, and the City of Commerce City. Conducted over 18 months, this study involved extensive community engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders to develop a unified vision for the corridor’s future. The project team conducted a thorough review of existing conditions which helped to inform critical infrastructure needs. Together, the existing conditions analysis and community engagement helped to inform the development of three project alternatives, each evaluated based on a set of criteria developed by the project team. The preferred alternative, identified through community input and finalized through collaboration with a Technical Advisory Committee and agency staff, incorporates elements to improve safety, function, capacity, and reliability. Community and stakeholder engagement were pivotal to the identification of the preferred alternative and shaping the concept plan found in Appendix A of this report. The project team hosted multiple open houses, conducted surveys, and engaged with agency stakeholders and community organizations to ensure diverse perspectives were considered. Key community priorities identified through these efforts included reducing vehicle congestion, enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improving transit facilities.

Advancing Adams Comprehensive Plan 2022

The Advancing Adams 2022 Comprehensive Plan is an overarching plan that addresses the community’s vision for future land uses, housing and population growth, the natural and built environments, economic development, cultural heritage, and corridors and subareas. The Advancing Adams Comprehensive Plan was adopted on Sept. 8, 2022 and ratified by the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 27, 2022. Visit the Comprehensive Plan page and download the final Advancing Adams document.

Balanced Housing Plan & Appendix 2017 Housing Needs Assessment – 2018

Recognizes the need to address housing challenges identified in the 2017 Housing Needs Assessment, and has set the stage for working towards providing housing opportunities for all individuals at all income levels and stages of life. The Balanced Housing Plan’s purpose is to take the information collected from the HNA and stakeholder input, and present defined goals and outcomes through a multifaceted and collaborative approach. The Plan’s strategies focused on changes that could be made at the county level to provide better housing outcomes, including the expansion and leveraging of existing resources, balancing supply with demand through incentives and flexible regulations, maintaining existing affordable housing stock, decreasing the affordability gap through better wages, and providing greater predictability and the development process.

Berkeley Neighborhood Plan – 2008

Through community involvement, local government attention, and general resident awareness, the Berkeley Neighborhood developed objectives to address some of the biggest goals and concerns of the community: maintaining the character and visual appeal of the single-family neighborhood, improving transportation options and infrastructure, providing better enforcement for code issues, improving relations with Regis University, and promoting better opportunities for youth in the neighborhood.

Clear Creek Valley Transit Oriented Development Plan – 2009

Adams County completed this study in September 2009 to plan for development that will evolve around the two transit stations in southwest Adams County – the Clear Creek at Federal station and the Pecos Junction station. The plan focuses on encouraging sustainable, mixed-use development to maintain, enhance, and revitalize existing commercial corridors and industrial areas, creating new connections with surrounding areas, and improving open space and recreational opportunities to enhance the area’s role as a gateway into southwest Adams County.

Get more information about Transit Oriented Development.

Colorado Air and Space Port Subarea Plan – 2022

The Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is poised to serve as one of the nation’s hubs for commercial space transportation, research, and development. Colorado and the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area has a robust aerospace industry, including 280 aerospace related companies and more than 500 suppliers providing space-related products and services. The CASP is located six miles from Denver International Airport (DEN) with regional connectivity provided by I-70 and is in proximity to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) mainline. The CASP is surrounded by multiple jurisdictions, including unincorporated Adams County, the City of Aurora, the Town of Bennett, Arapahoe County, and the City and County of Denver. Each of these jurisdictions play a key role in development around the CASP and will be integral to the success of the airport-related mixed-use employment area surrounding DEN (also referred to as the Aerotropolis region).

Comprehensive Plan – Imagine Adams County
(Includes the Transportation Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan) – 2012

The Adams County Comprehensive Plan, updated in December 2012, is the official policy document of Adams County’s elected officials. The Plan provides a concise statement of the County’s objectives for future development within unincorporated areas of the County and in municipal growth areas. It establishes goals, policies, and strategies to in day-to-day decision-making regarding land use applications, capital improvement planning, and regional coordination efforts with other jurisdictions and agencies. This update, completed in 2012, includes four distinct, but closely integrated components: the Comprehensive Plan update, the Transportation Plan update, the Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the Open Space, Parks, and Trails Master Plan. Integrating these three efforts represents a significant departure from previous planning efforts in Adams County and around the country. This level of integration reflects Adams County’s commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future.

Federal Blvd. Framework Plan – 2014

In order to thoughtfully manage growth and redevelopment anticipated with pending openings of rail lines in southwest Adams County, the Federal Boulevard Framework Plan was developed in 2014. Completed in tandem with a Health Impact Assessment, the Framework Plan evaluated the corridor in terms of urban design and streetscape environments, bicycle and pedestrian safety, the context of market feasibility, and engagement of the many communities along the corridor. Based on a detailed inventory and analysis of these four factors, the Plan identifies a set of 20 recommendations to be considered to address findings.

I-70 Corridor Economic Assessment – 2011

The eight-mile-long corridor along I-70 from approximately E-470 to Deer Trail represents the communities on the eastern edge of the Denver Metro Area, including portions of Aurora and the communities of Bennett, Byers, Deer Trail, Strasburg, and Watkins. This economic assessment, completed in 2011, summarizes the existing economic conditions, infrastructure capacity, historic and future growth trends, and economic drivers in the corridor.

Making Connections – 2016

Focuses on formulating a sound and rational basis for guiding development, redevelopment and supporting infrastructure for 13,177 acres of unincorporated southwest Adams County. The Plan includes projects ideal for multi-jurisdictional and public-private partnership and investment. The Plan focuses on economic return on investment while being strategic and equitable for the existing community, neighborhoods, and businesses.

Mineral Extraction Plan – 2005

State-mandated Master Plan that is limited in scope to limestone, coal, sand, gravel, and quarry aggregate materials. The Plan describes known and probable mineral resources in the county and typical extraction techniques for each of the five minerals.

Open Space, Parks & Trails Master Plan – 2012

The vision for the 2012 Master Plan promotes an open space system that conserves agricultural lands throughout the county; preserves and enhances important wildlife habitats and corridors; and protects and improves important natural and scenic resources such as wetlands, floodplains, and unique land forms. The plan identifies corridors for trail development and open space conservation that link to the open space systems of adjacent counties and communities while retaining the natural, cultural, and agricultural qualities of the county.

Riverdale Road Corridor Plan – 2005

Seeks to preserve the South Platte River valley and to prevent urban growth and development from spoiling the natural and scenic beauty of the area by providing a vision and implementation policy framework to guide future development and conservation efforts in the corridor.

Southwest Area Framework Plan – 2005

The 2005 Southwest Adams County Framework Plan provided an outline for future planning and redevelopment efforts in southwest Adams County. It is intended to serve as a guiding document throughout the many years it would take to complete the neighborhood plans, corridor plans, and other redevelopment efforts needed to improve southwestern Adams County.

Splendid Valley District Plan – 2016

Find more information about the Plan & Commission on the Historic Splendid Valley site.

Adams County and the City of Brighton partnered in 2016 to create the Splendid Valley District Plan to study the feasibility of preserving farmland in southern Brighton that remains valuable for food production, while allowing for a range of development opportunities that consider the most efficient and sustainable use of the land. This plan helps decision-makers guide investment in the area for compatible residential, commercial, and industrial development, as well as farmland conservation, and local food and agritourism promotion.

Square Lake Subarea Plan – 2022

The Square Lake Subarea Plan envisions development, redevelopment and revitalization opportunities to ensure this gateway into Adams County and the City of Arvada is thoughtfully planned. The plan builds on a foundation that evaluated opportunities and constraints, existing land use, and existing transportation infrastructure. Context-sensitive recommendations in the plan envision vibrant future land use, build upon community character, enhance quality of life, improve transportation and mobility infrastructure, identify opportunities for economic development, and propose enhanced open space and trail connections.

Strasburg Plan – 2002

The Strasburg Plan was a joint effort between Adams and Arapahoe Counties to maintain the small town, agricultural character of the Strasburg area. The plan seeks to control growth by focusing development within the area to prevent sprawl and create a new activity center to provide jobs and services to residents.

Sustainability Plan – 2015

The Sustainable Adams County 2030 identifies four cornerstones of sustainability and sixteen goals that are integral to ensuring the long term environmental, social and fiscal sustainability of Adams County. The four cornerstones are Responsible and Innovative Regional Leadership, Waste Management and Reduction, Conservation of energy and Resources, and Respect for Adams County’s Heritage.

Welby Subarea Plan – 2014

The Welby Plan represents the product of hard work and innovative ideas on how to build on and transform existing assets, reinvest, and maintain a vibrant community that attracts investments from both inside and outside of Welby. It envisions vibrant corridors and neighborhoods built on community pride. The Plan includes seven strategic goals, including: economic development; environment; history and culture; infrastructure; public safety; recreation, open space, and agriculture; and vibrant neighborhoods.

Weld/Adams County Line Crossroads Alignment Study – 2008

The border between Weld and Adams Counties is known as Weld County Road 2 (WCR 2), or East 168th Avenue. Due to survey correction lines, many of the north-south roadways along this border are offset, making it difficult for traffic to smoothly travel across the joint county boundary, as well as complicating how multiple jurisdictions can properly plan for future transportation needs. This study, completed in October 2008, establishes preferred north-south alignments that will provide a smooth transition across East 168th Avenue for the following five major intersections.