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While the majority of attendees at the Colorado Farm Show last month were there to check out the latest in farming equipment, livestock supplies and crop management, one booth caught the eye of some locals who took a minute from the show’s hustle and bustle to contemplate a looming topic for Weld County — growth.
“Let’s see, how do I feel about growth in unincorporated Weld County? That’s a tough one,” one Weld County resident said as he sat down to fill out a 10-question survey.
The questions on the survey don’t yield themselves to a right or wrong answer. However, as the county begins updating its comprehensive plan and setting a framework that will guide policies and decisions related to growth, development and transportation for the next 10 years, resident feedback is vital to the process.
A lot has changed in Weld County since the plan was last updated in 2008. More than 314,000 people call Weld County home now, but by the year 2050, the state demographer projects the county’s population will rise to almost 700,000 — that’s an additional 300,000 people in the next 30 years! While consistently a leader in agricultural production — ranking eighth in the U.S. in total market value of agricultural products sold — Weld County has also seen tremendous urban growth. In fact, the Greeley Metropolitan Area, which encompasses all of Weld County, is second-best in the nation for job growth and was recently classified as urban by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As the demographics of Weld County are changing, so too is the process the Board of Commissioners is using to generate resident feedback for this year’s update of the comprehensive plan. The issue of how to handle growth and improve transportation can be daunting and complex, but the new approach the commissioners are using to get public input will focus on a concept most don’t associate with government: Fun.
“We want this process to be an enjoyable one where we engage residents and ask them to tell us, ‘what do you want the future of Weld County to be?,’” said Barbara Kirkmeyer, Weld County Commissioner and Commissioner Coordinator of the Planning Department. “Whether it’s a greater focus on residential, industrial or agricultural growth, we want as many residents involved in the update as possible, and we want them to enjoy participating in the process.”
That process began at the Colorado Farm Show in January. Many residents stopped by the Weld County booth to learn more about the comprehensive plan, place a sticker on a photo they believed best represented Weld County, or indicate on a county map where they wanted more or less industrial, residential or agricultural growth to occur. More than 130 short surveys were completed. Some residents stopped by to ask general questions about the county, grab a handful of candy or simply gaze at the sticker-covered map. Most walked away with a smile, feeling more involved in county government.
“The Farm Show was the first of several events county staff will be at over the next six months as they gather input from county residents and landowners,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “We were able to roll out the engagement process, are pleased with the results and will be scheduling more events for residents to attend.”
Commissioners hope to hold at least six more events in various locations throughout the county where the public can stop by and give their thoughts on growth, transportation and the future of the county. The public outreach process will conclude at the Weld County Fair in July.
As more residents are faced with the important questions that cause them to think deeply before answering, the commissioners hope participants come away from the events with a better understanding about their role in county government.
“The county belongs to our residents, and its future should reflect the value and vision they have for the county moving forward,” Freeman said. “Participation in the process to update the comprehensive plan is important. Citizen input and feedback will be used to shape growth, transportation and development for the next 20 years.”
By Baker Geist, Weld County Communications Specialist
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