Attachment A_Land Use Strategy

Future Land Use Framework A clear and distinct set of future land use classes and designations allows the community to: • • • •

Coordinate land use and infrastructure planning that reflects desired outcomes for how people live, work, move and connect; Prioritize resources, investments, and improvements where they are most needed and effective; Support a balanced community where multiple functions are more broadly distributed and each type of place can thrive based on its role; Provide greater opportunity for different use, scale, and intensity that is resilient and responsive to external changes.

Neighborhoods

Hubs

Systems

Special Purpose

Neighborhood 1

Community

Parks

Industrial

Neighborhood 2

Regional

Greenways

Facilities

Innovation and Production

Open Space

University

Civic

Rural Lands

Rapid Response Equity Assessment The Rapid Response Equity Assessment Tool Method was performed on the draft definitions for each proposed future land use designation. For each future land use definition, the project team asked the following questions: • • • • •

Who benefits? Who is burdened? Who is missing or excluded? What unintended consequences might occur? How can equity be improved?

Across all future land uses, increased housing diversity, mixed-use development, and mobility improvements offer strong equity benefits, particularly for lower-income residents, renters, shift workers, people with disabilities, and community members who rely on transit or need access to jobs and services within walkable areas. However, several land use types carry risks of displacement, rising rents, loss of small businesses, and exclusion of communities of color if implementation and policy do not intentionally address affordability, cultural belonging, and community representation. Key findings highlight the need for targeted policies and implementation strategies that proactively mitigate these risks and ensure benefits are broadly shared.

Class | Neighborhoods Neighborhoods are primarily residential areas and are one of the building blocks of the Boulder Valley’s character and housing choice. They can vary in density and scale; however, the focus of neighborhoods is livability.

Land Use Goals • • • •

Create more housing opportunities Enable diverse housing options to fit multiple lifestyle needs Provide community amenities and gathering spaces Encourage small-scale neighborhood-serving commercial opportunities that enhance walkability

Environmental Goals

• Enhance pervious areas to support water quality and natural ecosystems • Maintain and expand the urban tree canopy and other nature-based climate solutions • Create opportunities for more resource-efficient housing types

Mobility Goals

• Improve walkability to neighborhood amenities and services • Enhance the network of low-speed streets for safe and convenient walking, riding or rolling. • Incorporate fast, frequent, and reliable transit within neighborhoods to local destinations and regional transit networks • Achieve Vision Zero goals

Equity Goals • • • •

Increase access to housing choices for all Increase access to business opportunities Improve accessibility for travelers of all abilities Reduce reliance on cars for local trips

Neighborhood 1 What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses

What it is:

These neighborhoods are primarily residential, featuring a mix of single-unit homes and small-scale multi-unit housing types designed to be complementary to existing neighborhood scale, with opportunities for businesses and community uses such as dining, services, schools and places of worship.

Why it matters:

Neighborhood 1 maintains the charm and scale of our neighborhoods while making room for a wider variety of housing types. Allowing more home type options can offer more opportunities for individuals at all phases of life and a spectrum of income levels that need more options than those currently available. Neighborhood 1 encourages a variety of housing choices that are complementary to the primarily smallscale residential character of existing areas.

Residential

Detached Unit; Attached Unit; Group Living

Residential

Multi-Unit

Commercial

Retail; Personal services; Office; Food & Beverage; Maker, Artisans & Innovation

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional

Other

Recreation; Urban Agriculture

Urban Design Buildings in these neighborhoods are typically moderate in scale, maintaining a residential form and rhythm, generally two to three stories with massing, setbacks and architectural details that are harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood. Street-level frontages are designed to engage the public realm, with clearly defined front doors, porches, stoops and windows that create a sense of connection between homes and the street. Individual private green spaces, such as yards and gardens, provide personal outdoor areas, while occasional shared gathering spaces and courtyards foster social interaction and a sense of community.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which provides convenient access to residential homes and connections to the wider transportation network.

What does it feel like?

Sidewalks, paths and street trees support short trips and access to nearby parks, schools and small businesses.

Curb Activity?

The curbside is typically used for parking and delivery and may include bike lanes and micromobility parking.

Neighborhood 2 What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses Residential

Attached Unit; Multi-Unit; Group Living

Residential

Detached Unit

Commercial

Retail; Personal Services; Office; Food & Beverage; Lodging; Vehicle Related; Maker, Artisans & Innovation

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional

Other

Recreation; Urban Agriculture

Urban Design

What it is:

These neighborhoods feature a mix of housing types in a moderately dense, walkable setting with taller and larger buildings, shared spaces and opportunities for neighborhood-serving businesses and community uses such as dining, services, schools and places of worship.

Why it matters:

Neighborhood 2 provides opportunities for more people to live close to jobs, schools, parks, shops and mobility options. They give people more options for how and where they live. Whether someone is living alone, with roommates, or raising a family, this area offers choices for a wide range of community members.

More urban residential form with buildings that are generally 3 to 5 stories in scale, compact and create a continuous street frontage. Structures may occupy larger portions of their lots, with limited setbacks and shared open spaces such as courtyards or plazas. The overall form emphasizes efficient land use while maintaining a comfortable pedestrian scale through thoughtful building design and streetscape elements.

Mobility What does it do?

Provides a safe and comfortable multimodal environment that provides convenient access to both residential uses and adjacent small-scale commercial areas.

What does it feel like?

Streets often include sidewalks, bike lanes and transit stops integrated into the neighborhood fabric.

Curb Activity?

There is typically more variety on these curbsides. They are more strictly managed for parking, and a greater focus is placed on space for transit, micromobility parking, and deliveries.

Class | Hubs Hubs are mixed-use centers, ranging in scale and expectations for activity. Hubs can be organized around nodes or along corridors. They act as anchors for surrounding areas and bring together housing, commerce, services, public spaces and mobility choices.

Land Use Goals • • • •

Encourage a variety of economic activity Expand housing choices through infill and redevelopment Connect community members and Boulder businesses Enhance cultural and civic life

Environmental Goals

• Preserve open lands by focusing higher intensity development at key locations • Support resource-efficient building types • Enhance and expand urban canopy and natural infrastructure into urban locations

Mobility Goals

• Provide safe, multimodal connections for all ages and abilities that prioritize transit, pedestrian, and micromobility access. • Create walkable pedestrian-oriented streets • Incorporate fast, frequent, and reliable transit from local destinations and provide connections to regional transit networks • Manage curbside demand to improve access and parking • Achieve Vision Zero goals

Equity Goals • • • •

Support diverse living and working choices for community members Support Boulder businesses Improve real and perceived safety Create reliable connections between where people live, work, play and gather

Community Hub What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses

What it is:

These active hubs bring together a wide mix of homes, shops, restaurants, services, offices and community spaces. They are designed to serve not just the immediate neighborhood, but the broader community as well. This is where people come to run errands, meet friends, attend events or work.

Why it matters:

Community Hubs help bring people together and support a strong local economy. They offer places to live, work and gather, all within a walkable, vibrant environment. They provide space for small and medium-sized businesses, local services and a range of housing types.

Residential

Multi-Unit; Group Living

Commercial

Retail; Personal Services; Food & Beverage

Commercial

Office; Entertainment; Lodging; Vehicle Related; Maker, Artisans & Innovation

Industrial

Research & Development

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional

Other

Recreation; Urban Agriculture

Urban Design Community hubs are moderately to highly dense areas with a mix of building types and sizes, generally 3 to 5 stories in scale that accommodate homes, shops, offices, restaurants and community spaces. Buildings are arranged to create an active street frontage, setbacks accommodate spillover space for activated commercial and community activity, pedestrian-friendly facades and public gathering spaces that encourage social interaction and activity throughout the day. The design emphasizes a vibrant, human-scaled environment that can support a variety of uses.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which provides convenient access to commercial uses and transit services.

What does it feel like?

Streets prioritize access to the hub and easy pedestrian and micromobility movement within the hub making them convenient for daily needs, social activities, and work.

Curb Activity

These areas support a wide range of curbside uses, prioritizing social spaces, commercial activity, transit, micromobility parking, and loading.

Regional Hub What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses

What it is:

Regional Hubs are major destinations for the Boulder Valley and beyond. They are busy, high-energy places where people come to work, visit, shop, dine and live and support both daytime and nighttime activity. They include a mix of stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, offices and housing, often in taller mixed-use buildings. A regional hub is the kind of place where someone can live upstairs, work down the street and meet friends for dinner without needing a car.

Why it matters:

Regional Hubs are a key part of the economy. They bring together jobs, retail, services, tourism and housing in one walkable, well-connected area. They support large, medium and small businesses, help reduce commuting and offer a vibrant mix of uses that serve the whole region.

Residential

Multi-Unit

Commercial

Retail; Personal Services; Office; Food & Beverage; Lodging; Entertainment

Residential

Detached Unit; Attached Unit; Group Living

Commercial

Vehicle Related; Maker, Artisan & Innovation

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional

Other

Recreation; Urban Agriculture

Urban Design Regional hubs are high-density, mixed-use areas featuring taller buildings that accommodate a wide variety of uses. Structures are often multi-story and arranged to create an active, pedestrian-friendly streetscape with public plazas and open spaces that encourage social interaction. Setbacks accommodate spillover space for activated commercial and community activity. The overall form emphasizes efficient land use while maintaining a lively, human-scale environment at street level, supporting a wide variety of daily activities in close proximity.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which provides convenient access to commercial uses including local transit services.

What does it feel like?

Streets prioritize access to the hub and easy pedestrian and micromobility movement within the hub allowing residents and visitors to move between work, shopping, dining and entertainment without a car.

Curb Activity

These areas support a wide range of curbside uses at a greater intensity than the Community Hub, prioritizing social spaces, commercial activity, transit, micromobility parking, and loading.

Innovation & Production Hub What you can expect:

What it is:

Innovation & Production Hubs are live/work neighborhoods that integrate many of Boulder’s workplaces with new housing choices. These areas support important industries and provide opportunities for businesses to start and grow. They also offer dynamic living options that are wellconnected, close to jobs and amenities.

Why it matters:

Innovation & Production Hubs are essential to the Boulder Valley’s innovative economy and entrepreneurial future. They support existing and emerging industries, encourage startups and small businesses and create harmony between working, living and making. These areas offer an anchor for talent and investment in the region. These hubs offer choices for a range of community members who appreciate the character of working neighborhoods and want to live close to active places of work and innovation.

Supporting

Primary

Uses Commercial

Office; Maker, Artisan & Innovation

Residential

Attached Unit; Multi-Unit; Group Living

Industrial

Research & Development; Light Industrial

Commercial

Retail; Personal Service; Food & Beverage; Vehicle Related

Other

Urban Agriculture

Urban Design Innovation and Production Hubs feature a diverse mix of building types and sizes that accommodate commercial, light industrial, office, research, and residential uses, including live/work spaces. Buildings vary widely in height and form, ranging from smaller workshop-style structures to larger multi-story facilities that support flexible work environments and housing. The overall design emphasizes functional layouts with adaptable spaces, active street edges and shared amenities that foster collaboration and innovation.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment that supports both workers and residents.

What does it feel like?

Streets accommodate walking, biking, transit and vehicle travel. The street network prioritizes safe, convenient circulation for all users, linking workspaces, housing, transit and nearby amenities.

Curb Activity

Curbside uses are designated to meet a wide variety of demands. Freight and delivery access is well-integrated to serve production and research uses without disrupting pedestrian areas.

Civic Hub What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses Residential

Attached Unit; Multi-Unit; Group Living

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional

Commercial

Retail; Personal Services; Office; Food & Beverage

Other

Recreation; Urban Agriculture

Urban Design

What it is:

A Civic Hub is a community-focused area centered around public places such as municipal buildings, hospitals, schools, recreation centers, libraries or cultural institutions. They are often designed to serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood or city. The core function of these areas is community-serving, while also offering places to live, work and shop, encouraging civic life and social activity.

Why it matters:

Civic Hubs serve as focal points for community life, providing spaces where people can gather, access public services, and participate in cultural, recreational, health and educational activities. By combining public facilities with complementary uses, these hubs strengthen social connections, foster a sense of place and support vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.

Civic Hubs are typically medium- to large-scale areas centered around prominent public buildings, such as civic campuses, recreation centers or libraries, often paired with open plazas, courtyards or landscaped gathering spaces. Buildings are designed at a human scale to feel approachable, with articulated facades, varied materials and mixed-use edges that support complementary services like small retail, cafes, or offices. Residential uses may also be incorporated into the area or buildings. The overall form emphasizes a cohesive and accessible environment that encourages community interaction and reinforces a distinct sense of place.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which provides convenient access to civic uses through walking, biking and transit connections.

What does it feel like?

Street layout encourages circulation within the hub while connecting seamlessly to surrounding neighborhoods, making it a convenient and welcoming destination for community members.

Curb Activity

Curbside areas are designed for a variety of needs bike lanes, and transit stops facilitate easy access for all users, while on-site or nearby parking is provided to support visitors arriving by car.

Class | Systems Systems define the Boulder Valley’s distinct sense of place. While these systems may not all be connected on a map, they make up the framework that a community relies on for healthy, meaningful and sustainable living. These are the backbones of how the city and natural environment interconnect.

Land Use Goals • • • •

Maintain the urban and rural characteristics that define the Boulder Valley Enhance opportunities for connection with nature Support spaces for social interaction Maintain a healthy agricultural community

Environmental Goals • Improve climate adaptation and resilience by thinking of systems holistically across the Boulder Valley • Recognize the critical link between urban and natural systems • Maintain and enhance natural areas that increase biodiversity, protect water resources, sequester carbon and perform other ecosystem services

Mobility Goals • Provide safe, multimodal connections for all ages and abilities that prioritize transit, pedestrian and micromobility access • Maintain safe, low-intensity road networks that support rural travel needs, focusing significant commuter travel onto primary multimodal corridors and minimizing impacts on the surrounding landscape and natural environment • Achieve Vision Zero goals

Equity Goals • Ensure community spaces and services are dispersed throughout the Boulder Valley • Focus resources on underserved areas • Ensure rural residents have fair access to essential services, connectivity and opportunities while preserving the distinct identity of rural communities

Parks What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses Other

Recreation

Commercial

Food & Beverage; Retail; Entertainment

Other

Urban Agriculture

Urban Design

What it is:

Parks are recreational and passive spaces within the city such as playgrounds, sports fields, pavilions, landscaped areas and walking paths. These areas are designed for public access, enjoyment, physical activity and mental health, and support climate resiliency. Parks also offer supporting and complementary uses to promote activity and social gathering.

Why it matters:

The parks system enhances community health, provides green space in the city and supports mental and physical well-being. It also helps manage stormwater, reduces urban heat island and fosters social interaction.

Parks are designed to balance passive space, recreation and natural features. Landscapes include lawns, trees, gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, and pavilions arranged to create welcoming, safe and accessible areas for all ages. Pathways, seating, and activity areas are laid out to encourage movement, social interaction and passive enjoyment, while preserving natural elements and views that enhance the city’s green character.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment with inclusive access for all users.

What does it feel like?

Streets and pathways will support safe and comfortable walking, rolling and riding with clear connections to surrounding neighborhoods and trail networks.

Curb Activity

Parking and transit stops will be thoughtfully integrated to balance accessibility with the goal of encouraging active transportation.

Greenways What you can expect: Uses Primary

Civic

Utility Operations

Supporting

Other

Open Space; Recreation

Urban Design Greenways are associated with Boulder Creek and major drainageways. These linear spaces are designed to manage creek and flood waters while weaving natural systems into the urban fabric that also encourages recreation and mobility activities.

What it is:

Greenways are areas adjacent to Boulder Creek and major drainageways that help manage and mitigate flood and support multifunctional landscapes, recreation, active transportation and/or ecosystem services.

Why it matters:

The Greenways system is a key feature of the community’s flood mitigation strategy but also offers opportunities to enhance community and environmental health including ecosystem services, ecosystem functions and biodiversity. Greenways also provide access to nature in the city and support mental and physical well-being, help reduce urban heat island effects, play a key role in regional, offstreet, pedestrian and bicycle networks, and fosters social interaction and connectivity.

Their design emphasizes continuity, ecological integrity, and accessibility. Built elements, such as paths, trails, bridges, lighting, seating and interpretive signage, are integrated sensitively into the landscape to support recreation and movement that works with the natural character Native plantings, restored riparian zones, and shaded gathering areas create comfortable, scenic environments that invite both movement and pause. The overall design balances human use with habitat protection, creating a cohesive public realm that connects neighborhoods through nature.

Mobility What does it do?

Provide safe, comfortable, continuous and scenic routes for walking, rolling and riding that connect neighborhoods, parks and major destinations.

What does it feel like?

Multi-use paths are accessible and offer an off-street alternative that promote low-stress recreational and commuter travel by pedestrians and micromobility users enhancing connectivity across the community.

Curb Activity

Curbside areas near greenway access point may include car parking, bikeshare stations and places to park bikes and other small mobility devices.

Open Space What you can expect: Uses Primary

What it is:

The Open Space system is protected by the city or county either through direct ownership, conservation easements held on private land, or other contractual obligations like annexation agreements. Open Space is managed for specific purposes including preservation and restoration of natural habitat, water resources, scenic views, agriculture and passive recreational uses. These areas also serve, in part, as the foundation of the Boulder Valley’s local agriculture community.

Other

Open Space; Agriculture

Urban Design Open space areas are characterized by a deliberate absence of urban development. The landscape itself is the defining feature, shaped by natural landforms, vegetation, and ecological processes rather than buildings or infrastructure. Where structures exist, such as trailheads, agricultural facilities, operational buildings or small shelters, they are minimal, functional and designed to blend into the natural setting. The emphasis is on preserving scenic views, healthy ecosystems and the sense of openness that distinguishes these lands from the built environment.

Why it matters:

The Open Space network forms the foundation of the Boulder Valley’s philosophy of compact urban development surrounded by intact rural and natural lands. It provides an accessible connection to nature and rural character and contributes to the mental and physical well-being of the residents, workers and visitors of the Boulder Valley. Critically, these lands serve as the foundation for the area’s ecological health, supporting local wildlife and help community resilience to climate change.

Mobility What does it do?

Safe and comfortable multimodal access to open space trailheads. Walking, biking and micromobility is allowed on designated trails, viewing areas and educational sites.

What does it feel like?

Agricultural and ranching operations access open spaces through service or maintenance routes designed to minimize environmental impact.

Curb Activity

Parking for cars, bikes, micromobility and bikeshare is provided at or above the curb. High-use trailheads also include curbside areas for transit or shuttle pick-up and drop-off.

Rural Lands What you can expect: Uses A variety of uses as allowed by county zoning at intensities supportable in and compatible with a rural area. More intensive uses are subject to a discretionary review process.

What it is:

Rural Lands are the unincorporated areas of the Boulder Valley that are expected to remain in the county’s jurisdiction for the length of the planning horizon and include a variety of land uses and county zone districts. Future land uses in these areas will be guided by county planning processes, the uses permitted by county zoning, and polices in the Plan intended to preserve rural land uses and character of this area.

Why it matters:

Retaining rural land supports local food systems, land based economic activities, and cultural heritage. These lands shape urban growth integral to the creation of a compact development pattern and community identity. These lands provide a sense of place for both urban and rural areas of the Boulder Valley. Maintaining the rural character of this area prevents it from being a competing location for urban uses, and reduces the pressure to convert rural lands to urban uses. This prevents sprawl, and leapfrog, noncontiguous and scattered development.

Urban Design In rural land the design can vary widely often reflecting the time period of the development of specific area, the economic activities of the area, and the land itself.

Mobility What does it do?

Primarily oriented around vehicular access to residences, farms, and other established uses. Agricultural equipment, freight, and service vehicles are accommodated as well as secondary recreational uses which are viable and safe.

What does it feel like?

The road network is used by people driving, biking or taking transit in and out of the city.

Curb Activity

Lower curbside demand with the exception of bicycle facilities along roadways

Class | Special Purposes Special purpose areas represent significant community assets and/or unique opportunities for Boulder’s governance and economy.

Land Use Goals • Support essential services and facilities to provide high quality of life for community members • Support education, research and employment that sustain Boulder’s economy and meet community needs.

Environmental Goals • Promote sustainable building and operational practices that minimize resource use, reduce emissions, and protect surrounding natural systems.

Mobility Goals • Provide non-motorized connections through connected networks to and within the special purpose for pedestrians, bicycles and other micromobility options • Maintain safe, low-intensity road networks that support the special purposes while focusing significant commuter travel onto primary multimodal corridors • Incorporate fast, frequent, and reliable transit from local destinations and provide connections to regional transit networks • Achieve Vision Zero goals

Equity Goals • Foster inclusive access to jobs, education and services • Ensure these areas offer the potential to benefit all members of the community

Industrial What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses Commercial

Vehicle Related; Maker, Artisans & Innovation

Industrial

Research & Development; Light Industrial; Heavy Industrial; Warehousing & Distribution Facilities

Commercial

Office; Food & Beverage;

Urban Design

What it is:

Industrial Sector lands have and will continue to serve the community’s needs for more intensive manufacturing, processing, services, commercial and other uses.

Why it matters:

Industrial areas provide essential goods, services, and employment opportunities that help sustain Boulder’s economy and self-sufficiency. They support local businesses, supply chains, and trades, and contain uses that cannot be located in other land use categories due to space, noise or operational needs. Preserving industrial land helps ensure that Boulder can continue to produce, repair and distribute locally, reducing dependence on outside markets and transportation.

Industrial areas feature a wide range of building types and scales, from single-story warehouses and manufacturing facilities to multi-story processing or office structures. Buildings are generally designed for functional efficiency, with large footprints, high ceilings and spaces for equipment, storage and operations. Open areas are primarily allocated for truck circulation, loading docks and parking, with minimal green space except where required for buffering, landscaping or stormwater management. The overall form prioritizes operational needs over aesthetic considerations, while maintaining a clear, organized layout that supports industrial activity.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which provides convenient access to industrial uses. Freight and delivery vehicles are prioritized within the area.

What does it feel like?

Connections to regional transportation routes are prioritized, supporting the movement of goods and services, while separating heavy vehicle traffic from more pedestrian-oriented areas.

Curb Activity

Curbside uses are designated to meet a wide variety of demands while honoring the operational nature of these areas.

Facilities What you can expect:

Supporting

Primary

Uses

What it is:

Facilities lands include areas that provide essential community services and infrastructure, as well as some lands dedicated to scientific, environmental and technological research. This designation encompasses municipal operations such as the airport and water treatment facilities, energy generation or transmission sites, and other utilities along with federal research campuses, laboratories, offices and support facilities. These lands often include specialized infrastructure, outdoor spaces, and operational areas needed to support research, innovation and the delivery of essential community functions.

Why it matters:

These lands play a vital role in supporting community resilience, ensuring the efficient operation of public services and advancing scientific discovery. Municipal facilities enable the delivery of energy, water and transportation services while research institutions contribute to global innovation and local economic vitality. Together, they reflect Boulder’s commitment to sustainability, self-sufficiency and public service, strengthening the city’s ability to meet environmental, technological and infrastructure challenges.

Civic

Government, Healthcare & Institutional; Utility Operations

Commercial

Office

Industrial

Research & Development

Urban Design Buildings on these lands vary widely in scale and function, from low-rise laboratories and service buildings to larger specialized or industrial facilities. Development is typically organized in a campus-like pattern or functional clusters, balancing operational efficiency with environmental sensitivity. Outdoor spaces may be used for ecological monitoring, stormwater management or natural buffering, integrating these sites into the surrounding landscape while accommodating the specialized infrastructure required for research and operations.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment that provides access for employees, visitors and service vehicles, with designated routes for deliveries and operations.

What does it feel like?

Internal streets and pathways are designed to accommodate walking, biking and transit connections where appropriate, while maintaining clear separation from high-traffic or utility access areas.

Curb Activity

Parking and loading areas are provided to meet operational needs. Parking for cars, bikes, micromobility and bike share is provided at or above the curb. Flexible loading for delivery and transit or shuttle pick-up and dropoff areas.

University What you can expect: Uses

Rendering Here

Uses support University of Colorado activities and needs such as, but not limited to, educational facilities, research facilities, athletic facilities, event space and student and faculty housing

Urban Design University lands are composed of a diverse mix of building types and scales, ranging from low-rise dormitories and academic buildings to taller student housing, research facilities and cultural centers, some exceeding typical city height limits.

What it is:

The University designation applies to land that will be used for university purposes into the future. This includes educational facilities, research facilities, event space, student and faculty housing and other uses that support a high-quality university environment.

Why it matters:

The University of Colorado (CU) is a cornerstone of Boulder’s identity, economy and cultural life. It attracts students, faculty and researchers from around the world, fostering innovation, creativity and a vibrant exchange of ideas. The university is one of the city’s largest employers and a key driver of local business activity. Its research partnerships and community programs strengthen Boulder’s capacity to address local and global challenges. Beyond academics, CU enriches the community through arts, athletics and public events that bring people together.

Buildings are arranged to create active courtyards, plazas and shared green spaces that support both formal and informal gatherings, outdoor learning, recreation and campus events. The overall form emphasizes connectivity, visual interest and a cohesive campus environment while balancing dense development with open spaces that enhance the student and community experience.

Mobility What does it do?

A safe and comfortable multimodal environment which prioritizes walking, biking and transit, with extensive networks of sidewalks, bike lanes, shuttle services and transit stops.

What does it feel like?

Streets and pathways are designed to safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists alongside vehicular access for deliveries, campus services and residents.

Curb Activity

Curbside uses are designated to meet a wide variety of demands.