Colorado

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31, 2023 - The Denver Post

Orchard Station RTD Light Rail

Colorado to Consider Statewide Transit Pass

A bill expected soon in the Colorado State Legislature would establish a universal transit pass, good for a ride on any of local or regional transit system in the state.

August 29, 2023 - Colorado Newsline

Nighttime view of bus stop in Denver, Colorado

Denver Leaders Take BRT Notes in Minneapolis

More cities are leaning into bus rapid transit, a faster, cheaper alternative to light rail-based rapid transit systems.

August 23, 2023 - Colorado Public Radio

View of natural gas power plant with two tall smokestacks on Northern California coast

Making Natural Gas Power Plants Cleaner

Carbon capture and storage has long been associated with coal-burning power plants. Calpine Corp. hopes to apply the controversial technology to existing natural gas power plants, beginning with a pilot project to start this month in the Bay Area.

August 17, 2023 - The Sacramento Bee

The Animas River winds through the town of Durango in southwestern Colorado

Durango Mobile Home Park Residents Form Community Land Trust

The model of combining housing co-ops with community land trusts could show a new path forward for increasing housing stability.

August 11, 2023 - High Country News

Sprawl

Colorado Erases Local Growth Limits

Colorado legislators passed a law earlier this year that preempts local limits on the number of building permits issued every year.

August 8, 2023 - The Denver Post

A conceptual rendering of a bus stop and bus-only lane on a downtown street.

Land Use Changes Could Improve Walkability Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Denver

Denver councilmembers are proposing an overhaul of land use regulations along a long stretch of East Colfax Avenue—the route of a planned Bus Rapid Transit line expected to open in 2026.

July 20, 2023 - Denverite

Person on mountain bike biking on trail in Colorado with mountains in background

‘Queer Byke Brigade’ Wants to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive

A Colorado group of bike enthusiasts is creating a safe, welcoming outdoor space for LGBTQ+ people in Montezuma County.

June 29, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Fly fisherman standing in small creek in Colorado surrounded by trees

Colorado Supreme Court Denies Access to Riverbeds

The state doesn’t seem ready to reverse its famously restrictive aquatic access policies anytime soon.

June 19, 2023 - High Country News

Aerial view of Colorado state capitol in Denver, Colorado

What Caused the Failure of Zoning Reform in Colorado?

Land use reform bills that gained bipartisan support in the Montana legislature were strongly opposed by Colorado Republicans.

June 14, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Apartment buildings in Denver, Colorado

Colorado Governor Vetoes Affordable Housing Bill

The bill would have given cities the right of first refusal when multifamily housing projects come up for sale if the city wants to preserve them as affordable housing.

June 11, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Denver City Hall building with green lawn and red flowers in front, Denver, Colorado

Denver Makes ADU Rules More Flexible

The city hopes adjusting its regulations for accessory dwelling units will make the process more affordable for residents and help ease the city’s housing crunch.

June 7, 2023 - Denverite

View of Colorado River from top of Hoover Dam with concrete column on left

The New Colorado River Deal: An Explainer

According to one analyst, the agreement approved by the states doesn’t go nearly far enough to protect the river in the long term.

May 28, 2023 - The Land Desk

"Bathtub ring" showing low water level on red rocks at Lake Powell, Arizona

States Reach Consensus on Colorado River Deal

The seven states along the Colorado River basin are in agreement over proposed water cuts over the next three years to preserve dangerously low reservoirs.

May 24, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of Colorado River winding through canyon in red rock cliffs against lightly cloudy blue sky

Lower Basin States Closer to Agreement on Colorado River

After a year of contentious negotiations, Western states dependent on the river’s water supply are nearing a deal that would reduce water use significantly over the next three years.

May 22, 2023 - The Washington Post

Colorado State Capitol Building

Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature

Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.

May 11, 2023 - CPR News

Three-story apartment buildings in Takoma Village, a cohousing complex in Washington, D.C.

Building Community With Cohousing

Developers and buyers create new models for housing that hold the promise of a more environmentally friendly, connected, and multigenerational way of living.

May 10, 2023 - Urban Land Online

Close-up of person on electric mountain bike on gravel path

Colorado To Launch E-Bike Rebate Program Statewide

On the heels of Denver’s highly successful e-bike incentive program, a statewide program will provide rebates to all Colorado residents.

May 9, 2023 - Colorado Public Radio

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort

Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.

April 26, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Denver, Colorado skyline with park and lake in foreground and mountains in background

Denver Residents Lack Transit Access to Local Parks

Despite an early plan to run rail lines to the city’s mountain parks, they are not easily accessible to Denverites without cars.

April 17, 2023 - Colorado Public Radio

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.