Since the Land Use Code was adopted in 2020, La Plata County commissioners have consistently heard from residents, builders, agricultural operators, business owners and applicants who interact with the code. The message has been clear: While our performance-based code is grounded in sound planning principles, navigating it can at times be confusing, time-consuming or frustrating. We are listening – and we are acting.
La Plata County operates under a performance-based land-use code, which differs from the traditional (Euclidean) zoning model used by most Colorado counties. That traditional approach was rejected by many residents during the 2020 update. Our code is designed to answer a simple but critical question: Does a project strike the right balance between private property rights, community values and the goals outlined in the comprehensive plan? When the answer is yes, the code is designed to enable projects to proceed. In the absence of traditional zoning, decision-makers rely on clear standards, access to infrastructure and compatibility with surrounding uses.
Any land-use code must be legally defensible under Colorado law and fit within the county’s administrative capacity. It must also be understandable, predictable and consistent. However, we knew from the day of its adoption that the code was a living document that we are committed to refining to reflect our communities’ evolving priorities.
Since adoption, the county has made continual process improvements, but we recognize there is more work to do. To that end, a Code Review Team was formed in November with representatives from the Community Development Department, the County Attorney’s Office, administration and the Board of County Commissioners, with Commissioner Elizabeth Philbrick serving on the team. The team’s charge is to refine the code and improve its functionality for the community.
Equally important, we recognized early that not all challenges stem from the code language itself. Some arise from process, communication or customer experience. To address these, two additional action-oriented efforts are underway.
While the Code Review Team is focusing on the land-use code itself – clarifying language, improving consistency and ensuring required revisions are handled efficiently and transparently, a process innovation and customer service effort is examining how applicants interact with the Community Development Department. This group is identifying opportunities to reduce unnecessary steps, improve response times and deliver measurable service improvements. Third, a communication effort is strengthening how we engage with the public for a greater understanding of how the department functions.
These efforts are already producing results. In 2025, the county adopted six resolutions with land-use code amendments addressing various topics in each, and completed two District Plan updates.
We are also actively seeking direct input from those who live, work and build in unincorporated La Plata County. As of today, multiple surveys have launched, beginning with a housing survey to inform a countywide housing plan and code amendments, and a general customer experience survey to identify real-world friction points. Future surveys will focus on specific topics, including commercial development, and, like the housing survey, will allow participants to reference exact sections of code they find problematic. The goal of this outreach is to identify specific challenges, understand why they occur and respond where possible.
The Board of County Commissioners will also host regular work sessions focused on land use priorities, beginning with geographic and process-specific concerns. These discussions will inform which code amendments are prioritized for consideration in 2026 and beyond. All work sessions will be public and recorded, and we encourage community members to attend or review them.
Looking ahead through this year and next, the county will add new water, strategic growth and housing elements in its Comprehensive Plan, and continue District Plan updates. At the same time, we are expediting internal code revision processes and testing innovative tools – including limited applications of artificial intelligence – to improve efficiency where appropriate.
None of this work is about lowering standards. It is about ensuring the land-use code functions as an effective tool that supports our community’s social, environmental, and economic goals. When concerns are raised, it is the responsibility of county commissioners to seek solutions – not to wring our hands. This work is a major priority in 2026, and we are committed to pursuing it with transparency, fairness and clear communication.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners is Matt Salka, chair; Elizabeth Philbrick, vice chair; and Marsha Porter-Norton, commissioner. Reach them at 382-6219.
