Weld County Opens Public Input on Growth PLAN As Population Set to Surge
Weld County residents can now shape how the region absorbs explosive growth over the next 25 years through a new online survey for the Comprehensive Plan update and four drop-in events in January.
"Weld County is inviting residents, business owners and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community by participating in a public survey for the Weld County Comprehensive Plan update," according to a county announcement. The survey is now live on the Weld County Comprehensive Plan webpage.
State projections show Weld County's population climbing from about 359,000 residents in 2023 to 423,000 by 2030, 515,000 by 2040 and 597,000 by 2050.
County planners haven't yet released a public growth-allocation map or official population projections for 2030, 2040 and 2050, making this engagement phase one of the few clear chances for residents to shape priorities on agriculture preservation, transportation corridors and development patterns before technical decisions lock in.
Residents can drop in at four locations in January:
- Thursday, Jan. 22: 9–11 a.m. at Black Sheep Coffee and Crepes in Johnstown, or 3–5 p.m. at WeldWerks Brewing Co. in Greeley
- Friday, Jan. 23: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at McCarty's at Eaton Country Club
- Jan. 27–29: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Colorado Farm Show, Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley
How the county handles that growth depends partly on existing land-use rules. Current policy directs large residential developments to municipalities and limits unincorporated areas to nine lots or fewer per project.
The shift is already underway. Unincorporated Weld's share of residents has dropped from 28.8% in 1980 to 13.3% in 2023, with most growth concentrating in cities along I-25, I-76, US-85 and US-34.
"Public input is critical to ensuring the plan reflects the values, needs and priorities of those who live and work in Weld County," the county stated. The Comprehensive Plan guides decisions on land use, transportation, housing and agriculture over the next 25 years.
Residents can access the public survey and learn more about the planning process at the Weld County Comprehensive Plan webpage.