Pitkin County releases draft comprehensive plan for public input

Pitkin County released a draft of the updated Pitkin County Comprehensive Plan for public review and comment on Wednesday.

The deadline for comment is Feb. 23.

“A comprehensive plan sets the long-range vision for how our community grows and evolves,” said Ellen Sassano, long range planning manager with Pitkin County Community Development, in a press release announcing the draft. “It provides the foundation for future land use regulations, policies, and investments, ensuring that day-to-day decisions align with community values and long-term goals.”

In July 2022, the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners formed the Community Growth Advisory Committee for the purpose of developing recommendations to manage growth and development in the county in a way that aligns with community values and the county’s climate action goals.

The Community Growth Advisory Committee and the Board of County Commissioners worked together to create a set of goals that included 90% reductions to greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and residential net zero emissions by 2030, while maintaining a balanced level of economic activity. 

A report created by the committee in 2023 established recommendations “designed to protect quality of life, balance community and economic health, and preserve rural and wild lands,” according to the comprehensive plan’s prologue. These recommendations led to the creation of the Pitkin County Vision 2050 process, a part of which is updating the comprehensive plan. 

According to the press release, the draft comprehensive plan was shaped through extensive public engagement, including a range of opportunities for community members to share local values, identify priorities, and help guide the county’s long-ranging direction. 

The draft “reflects the voices, values, and priorities shared by community members throughout the Vision 2050 process” and is available for comment ahead of the Planning Commission’s public hearings for adoption. 

The press release states that this public comment period is a milestone that will ensure the community has a meaningful opportunity to weigh in before the plan is finalized and will be used to guide future land use decisions and code updates in Pitkin County. 

Community members are asked to review the draft and send written comments to vision2050@pitkincounty.com for inclusion in the Planning Commissioner packet scheduled for first hearing on March 3. More information can be found on the Vision 2050 webpage, pitkincounty.com/1606/Pitkin-County-Vision-2050.