Notes from the CDO Director
Happy March,
As many of us are enjoying the longer days and balmy weather, severe drought conditions resulting from extremely low snowpack and unusually high temperatures have developed in 40% of the state. Extreme or exceptional drought persists in the Colorado River headwaters region, prompting Governor Polis to activate the state’s Drought Task Force and Phase 2 of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan.
Across the state, Colorado’s water supply varies widely depending on geography, snowpack, precipitation, and runoff timing. Over generations, Coloradans have managed a limited supply of water to support thriving communities. This winter underscores the importance of considering long-term water supply and facilities in future community planning.
The CDO team has recently expanded water and land use guidance to aid communities in:
- Developing and integrating their water supply goals,
- Meeting their water supply element requirements in comprehensive plans as outlined in SB24-174.
- Adhering to DOLA’s Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant guidelines, which require planning grant recipients to address the community’s water supply and water quality goals.
Under SB24-174, communities must integrate a water supply element into their comprehensive plans. This requires working with local water providers, including water conservation policies, and estimating a range of water supplies and facilities needed to support planned development.
While we can all hope that this winter’s snowpack and unseasonable temperatures are the exception and not the norm, understanding and accounting for water supply can help make sure no community is left out to dry.
All the best,
KC McFerson, Planning Director, Community Development Office
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Celebrating 100 Communities Adopting Fast Track
 100 communities (and counting) have adopted Proposition 123 fast track review policies for affordable housing ahead of the December 31, 2026 deadline!
Local governments can qualify for up to $45,000 of incentive funding for early adoption if they adopt a compliant fast track review process by June 30, 2026.
Visit DOLA’s Fast Track Website for:
- Guidance and resources, including a regularly updated list of all verified jurisdictions.
- Links to policy documents
- Examples from peer communities.
DOLA staff are available for technical assistance, courtesy reviews of draft policies, and weekly Fast Track Office hours every Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Drop in on Google Meet.
Guidance for Comprehensive Plan Elements Published
 CDO published Strategic Growth Element guidance and expanded guidance for Water Supply Elements to help subject jurisdictions meet the requirements in SB24-174. The law directs certain Colorado jurisdictions to adopt a strategic growth element and/or water supply element in their comprehensive plans by December 31, 2026. Communities must update this work at least every five years.
For general comprehensive plan questions or questions on the strategic growth element, contact Mark Williams. Contact Scott Williamson for questions specific to the water supply element.
Land Use and Housing Grant Awards
 Housing Planning Grant Program
The Division of Local Government recently awarded over $1.4 million across 15 projects through the Housing Planning Grant Program (HPLN). The program helps fund planning work that supports compliance with SB24-174. This includes:
- Housing needs assessments (HNAs)
- Housing action plans
- Strategic growth and water supply elements of comprehensive plans.
Inaugural Transit Oriented Communities Infrastructure Grant
The Division of Local Government, in partnership with Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), awarded over $13.3 million from the inaugural Transit Oriented Communities Infrastructure (TOCI) grant program. The awards will aid four communities in upgrading infrastructure that will support up to 720 units of affordable housing. Additionally, three of the projects advance crucial transit infrastructure that support ridership of rapid bus transit and light rail.
The TOCI program is available to 32 jurisdictions along the Front Range that are subject to the legislation. Grant funds may be used to upgrade infrastructure and support regulated affordable housing in locally-designated Transit Centers and Neighborhood Centers within certified Transit-Oriented Communities.
Resource Spotlight: Land Use and Planning Capacity Survey Report
 The CDO team recently published the 2025 Local Government Land Use Survey Report. This survey provides insight into Colorado’s local planning practices. We will use aggregated results to identify funding needs and advance planning research to better serve our communities.
DOLA sincerely thanks everyone who contributed to the survey. In particular, we want to thank the 191 municipalities and 53 counties that responded to the survey and our partners, Colorado Counties, Inc., Colorado Municipal League, and the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Funding Opportunities
Housing Planning Grant Program (HPLN)
The HPLN Grant Program offers funding to support Housing Needs Assessments, Housing Action Plans, and Comprehensive Plan Elements (strategic growth and water supply).
Community Schoolyards Grant Program
The brand new Community Schoolyards Grant Program, an initiative created under HB25-1061, is designed to fund the planning, design, and capital construction of innovative community schoolyards across Colorado. This program offers a single grant opportunity that encompasses both the planning and design, and capital construction phases for innovative community schoolyards. This unified approach aims to streamline the funding process, supporting projects from formal design to completion.
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