Louisville Comprehensive Plan Update

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Let's Create Louisville's Future!green logo that says Louisville Comprehensive Plan

The City of Louisville is updating its Comprehensive Plan, one of the community's most important policy documents. The last update was in 2013, and a lot has changed since then! The Comprehensive Plan update is an opportunity for the community – including residents, business owners, workers, elected and appointed officials, and City staff – to take stock of where we are and where we want to be, and to refresh the City’s overall vision, values, and policies. Once adopted by City Council, the final Comprehensive Plan will become a guiding document for future growth and development. Comprehensive plans are truly comprehensive – covering growth, community services, infrastructure, economic development, housing, transportation, natural resources, and historic and cultural resources.

Draft Plan Now Available!

Community Open House Wednesday

January 28, 2026 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. @ The Simon, 957 Main St.

We are now in the final phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update and are sharing the draft with the community for information. Join City staff to learn more and view the draft goals, strategies, future land use map, and more. The open house provides an opportunity for the community to see the plan and ask questions prior to the upcoming City Council public hearing and adoption of the plan. Light refreshments provided.

Can't attend the open house? View the draft HERE and provide any clarifying comments or questions below! You can also view the display boards that were shared at the open house here.

September 2025 Project Update

The Comprehensive Plan had three rounds of community input in 2024 where over 2,000 Louisville residents shared their input on the most important things for the Plan to address. The project team recently gathered focused input from several City boards and commissions in in the Spring and early Summer to inform the Comprehensive Plan draft. The project team is currently drafting the Plan to share with the community for input as soon as possible. Stay tuned!

Get In Touch. The City of Louisville welcomes comments and questions. Please send us a question below or reach out to Jeff Hirt at JHirt@LouisvilleCO.gov.

Let's Create Louisville's Future!green logo that says Louisville Comprehensive Plan

The City of Louisville is updating its Comprehensive Plan, one of the community's most important policy documents. The last update was in 2013, and a lot has changed since then! The Comprehensive Plan update is an opportunity for the community – including residents, business owners, workers, elected and appointed officials, and City staff – to take stock of where we are and where we want to be, and to refresh the City’s overall vision, values, and policies. Once adopted by City Council, the final Comprehensive Plan will become a guiding document for future growth and development. Comprehensive plans are truly comprehensive – covering growth, community services, infrastructure, economic development, housing, transportation, natural resources, and historic and cultural resources.

Draft Plan Now Available!

Community Open House Wednesday

January 28, 2026 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. @ The Simon, 957 Main St.

We are now in the final phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update and are sharing the draft with the community for information. Join City staff to learn more and view the draft goals, strategies, future land use map, and more. The open house provides an opportunity for the community to see the plan and ask questions prior to the upcoming City Council public hearing and adoption of the plan. Light refreshments provided.

Can't attend the open house? View the draft HERE and provide any clarifying comments or questions below! You can also view the display boards that were shared at the open house here.

September 2025 Project Update

The Comprehensive Plan had three rounds of community input in 2024 where over 2,000 Louisville residents shared their input on the most important things for the Plan to address. The project team recently gathered focused input from several City boards and commissions in in the Spring and early Summer to inform the Comprehensive Plan draft. The project team is currently drafting the Plan to share with the community for input as soon as possible. Stay tuned!

Get In Touch. The City of Louisville welcomes comments and questions. Please send us a question below or reach out to Jeff Hirt at JHirt@LouisvilleCO.gov.

Questions or General Comments about the Comp Plan?

Thanks for your interest in the project! Ask a question or provide a general comment on the Comprehensive Plan here.  A team member will get back to you as soon as possible.  

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  • Share 1. I am concerned about adding housing to downtown without providing parking. Won’t that create problems for visitors to downtown businesses and for people who live near downtown but don’t have off street parking of their own? 2. While I agree that Louisville needs to keep growing, this plan seems like way too much growth. 3. More housing won’t lower prices because there are more aspects to demand than just availability, the desirability of living in Boulder County, for example. When cities are in desirable locations, the demand outpaces availability, no matter how many houses they build. 4. I appreciate the thought and time people have put into the plan so far. on Facebook Share 1. I am concerned about adding housing to downtown without providing parking. Won’t that create problems for visitors to downtown businesses and for people who live near downtown but don’t have off street parking of their own? 2. While I agree that Louisville needs to keep growing, this plan seems like way too much growth. 3. More housing won’t lower prices because there are more aspects to demand than just availability, the desirability of living in Boulder County, for example. When cities are in desirable locations, the demand outpaces availability, no matter how many houses they build. 4. I appreciate the thought and time people have put into the plan so far. on Twitter Share 1. I am concerned about adding housing to downtown without providing parking. Won’t that create problems for visitors to downtown businesses and for people who live near downtown but don’t have off street parking of their own? 2. While I agree that Louisville needs to keep growing, this plan seems like way too much growth. 3. More housing won’t lower prices because there are more aspects to demand than just availability, the desirability of living in Boulder County, for example. When cities are in desirable locations, the demand outpaces availability, no matter how many houses they build. 4. I appreciate the thought and time people have put into the plan so far. on Linkedin Email 1. I am concerned about adding housing to downtown without providing parking. Won’t that create problems for visitors to downtown businesses and for people who live near downtown but don’t have off street parking of their own? 2. While I agree that Louisville needs to keep growing, this plan seems like way too much growth. 3. More housing won’t lower prices because there are more aspects to demand than just availability, the desirability of living in Boulder County, for example. When cities are in desirable locations, the demand outpaces availability, no matter how many houses they build. 4. I appreciate the thought and time people have put into the plan so far. link

    1. I am concerned about adding housing to downtown without providing parking. Won’t that create problems for visitors to downtown businesses and for people who live near downtown but don’t have off street parking of their own? 2. While I agree that Louisville needs to keep growing, this plan seems like way too much growth. 3. More housing won’t lower prices because there are more aspects to demand than just availability, the desirability of living in Boulder County, for example. When cities are in desirable locations, the demand outpaces availability, no matter how many houses they build. 4. I appreciate the thought and time people have put into the plan so far.

    hg asked 1 day ago

    Hi and thanks for your question and for following the project.  

    Regarding question #1, that is certainly a valid concern and its important to point out that the City's regulations require that parking be provided for new residential downtown, #2 the plan does not have a target or goal for the amount of residential growth, the numbers in the plan are a range of estimates for the City to plan around over the next 10-20 years (the lifespan of the Comprehensive Plan), #3 it's important to note that the City does have an "inclusionary housing ordinance" that requires that 12% of the new residential be set aside as permanently "affordable", meaning below market rate; #4 thank you! 

  • Share This is too much growth for Louisville. on Facebook Share This is too much growth for Louisville. on Twitter Share This is too much growth for Louisville. on Linkedin Email This is too much growth for Louisville. link

    This is too much growth for Louisville.

    wmpkyle asked 2 days ago

    Thank you for your comment! 

  • Share I agree with the increases in housing in the Comp Plan. We need more housing in Louisville! I am also excited to see all the off-road infrastructure for people walking, running, and bicycling. on Facebook Share I agree with the increases in housing in the Comp Plan. We need more housing in Louisville! I am also excited to see all the off-road infrastructure for people walking, running, and bicycling. on Twitter Share I agree with the increases in housing in the Comp Plan. We need more housing in Louisville! I am also excited to see all the off-road infrastructure for people walking, running, and bicycling. on Linkedin Email I agree with the increases in housing in the Comp Plan. We need more housing in Louisville! I am also excited to see all the off-road infrastructure for people walking, running, and bicycling. link

    I agree with the increases in housing in the Comp Plan. We need more housing in Louisville! I am also excited to see all the off-road infrastructure for people walking, running, and bicycling.

    FPhillips asked 2 days ago

    Thanks for your comment! 

  • Share In general I think we should have taken the opportunity to rezone around downtown to be more mixed use and slightly higher density. That are should allow duplexes, and 3 story buildings by right. It's our most walkable area on Facebook Share In general I think we should have taken the opportunity to rezone around downtown to be more mixed use and slightly higher density. That are should allow duplexes, and 3 story buildings by right. It's our most walkable area on Twitter Share In general I think we should have taken the opportunity to rezone around downtown to be more mixed use and slightly higher density. That are should allow duplexes, and 3 story buildings by right. It's our most walkable area on Linkedin Email In general I think we should have taken the opportunity to rezone around downtown to be more mixed use and slightly higher density. That are should allow duplexes, and 3 story buildings by right. It's our most walkable area link

    In general I think we should have taken the opportunity to rezone around downtown to be more mixed use and slightly higher density. That are should allow duplexes, and 3 story buildings by right. It's our most walkable area

    Chrisgabriel asked 2 days ago

    Thank you for your comment! There are policies in the Comprehensive Plan that support allowing some new residential (e.g., mixed use) in Downtown Louisville and consideration of three story buildings in some locations.  The policy is essentially to maintain the ground floor commercial in the core Downtown area like along Main and Front Streets, for example, but allow more residential above these ground floors to support the City's housing goals and add vitality to Downtown.   

  • Share It looks like resiliency and preparedness is one of the primary goals, but there is nothing in any of the scenarios or other areas of the plan about this. How will wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness be integrated into this entire plan? Especially with the release of the WCRA? on Facebook Share It looks like resiliency and preparedness is one of the primary goals, but there is nothing in any of the scenarios or other areas of the plan about this. How will wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness be integrated into this entire plan? Especially with the release of the WCRA? on Twitter Share It looks like resiliency and preparedness is one of the primary goals, but there is nothing in any of the scenarios or other areas of the plan about this. How will wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness be integrated into this entire plan? Especially with the release of the WCRA? on Linkedin Email It looks like resiliency and preparedness is one of the primary goals, but there is nothing in any of the scenarios or other areas of the plan about this. How will wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness be integrated into this entire plan? Especially with the release of the WCRA? link

    It looks like resiliency and preparedness is one of the primary goals, but there is nothing in any of the scenarios or other areas of the plan about this. How will wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness be integrated into this entire plan? Especially with the release of the WCRA?

    Lisa Hughes asked 2 days ago

    Thanks for your thoughtful comment! There are numerous policies in the Comprehensive Plan that address these topics. The Comprehensive Plan is a policy document and not regulatory, so the level of detail you're probably referring to lives in separate implementation items. In the case of wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness, the City is actually scheduled to adopt new regulations addressing defensible space and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code in the near term.  Those meetings are currently scheduled for City Council for first reading on March 3, 2026 and for public hearing (second reading) on March 17, 2026.  Please check City Council agendas to confirm this as dates may change.  You can sign up for updates on meetings like this at: https://www.louisvilleco.gov/living-in-louisville/city-information/enotifications. 

  • Share Where does Louisville expect to get the water and reliable energy for massive new development in our city? We are in a serious drought and have been for quite sometime, so the water issue is constantly on the table. And of course, Xcel Energy has already shown they are entirely incapable of keeping the power on for current Louisville citizens and businesses. (Ward 2 has had 5 extensive, hours-long outages in less than 2 months.). And yet, they keep raising rates. Because we don't currently have a forward-thinking, concerned City Council who will consider non-profit or other alternatives to Xcel (as Longmont, Fort Collins and other cities have) do you expect tens of thousands of new residents to just deal with the fact that they will have unplanned outages for hours or days often as current residents do? on Facebook Share Where does Louisville expect to get the water and reliable energy for massive new development in our city? We are in a serious drought and have been for quite sometime, so the water issue is constantly on the table. And of course, Xcel Energy has already shown they are entirely incapable of keeping the power on for current Louisville citizens and businesses. (Ward 2 has had 5 extensive, hours-long outages in less than 2 months.). And yet, they keep raising rates. Because we don't currently have a forward-thinking, concerned City Council who will consider non-profit or other alternatives to Xcel (as Longmont, Fort Collins and other cities have) do you expect tens of thousands of new residents to just deal with the fact that they will have unplanned outages for hours or days often as current residents do? on Twitter Share Where does Louisville expect to get the water and reliable energy for massive new development in our city? We are in a serious drought and have been for quite sometime, so the water issue is constantly on the table. And of course, Xcel Energy has already shown they are entirely incapable of keeping the power on for current Louisville citizens and businesses. (Ward 2 has had 5 extensive, hours-long outages in less than 2 months.). And yet, they keep raising rates. Because we don't currently have a forward-thinking, concerned City Council who will consider non-profit or other alternatives to Xcel (as Longmont, Fort Collins and other cities have) do you expect tens of thousands of new residents to just deal with the fact that they will have unplanned outages for hours or days often as current residents do? on Linkedin Email Where does Louisville expect to get the water and reliable energy for massive new development in our city? We are in a serious drought and have been for quite sometime, so the water issue is constantly on the table. And of course, Xcel Energy has already shown they are entirely incapable of keeping the power on for current Louisville citizens and businesses. (Ward 2 has had 5 extensive, hours-long outages in less than 2 months.). And yet, they keep raising rates. Because we don't currently have a forward-thinking, concerned City Council who will consider non-profit or other alternatives to Xcel (as Longmont, Fort Collins and other cities have) do you expect tens of thousands of new residents to just deal with the fact that they will have unplanned outages for hours or days often as current residents do? link

    Where does Louisville expect to get the water and reliable energy for massive new development in our city? We are in a serious drought and have been for quite sometime, so the water issue is constantly on the table. And of course, Xcel Energy has already shown they are entirely incapable of keeping the power on for current Louisville citizens and businesses. (Ward 2 has had 5 extensive, hours-long outages in less than 2 months.). And yet, they keep raising rates. Because we don't currently have a forward-thinking, concerned City Council who will consider non-profit or other alternatives to Xcel (as Longmont, Fort Collins and other cities have) do you expect tens of thousands of new residents to just deal with the fact that they will have unplanned outages for hours or days often as current residents do?

    BB asked 2 days ago

    Thanks for your question and for following the project! Regarding Xcel Energy, that is a good comment that we also heard from Planning Commission to strengthen the language in the Comprehensive Plan around working with Xcel to address these issues. We plan to make those changes for the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. 

    Regarding water supply, we've been closely working with the City's utilities staff and there is confidence in our ability to supply water to support the future land use policies and growth estimates in the Comprehensive Plan.  The City is already starting to update our Utility System Plan to better align with the Comprehensive Plan policies where we looked at future growth estimates with a buildout of residential or mixed use instead of exclusively commercial, for example, on several vacant parcels like in Redtail Ridge and the Centennial Valley (McCaslin) area. 

  • Share Louisville has a small-town character that should be preserved. Rather than prioritizing large developments, the community would benefit from thoughtful, small-scale, and sustainable growth—development that serves local needs rather than growth pursued solely in the name of economic prosperity. on Facebook Share Louisville has a small-town character that should be preserved. Rather than prioritizing large developments, the community would benefit from thoughtful, small-scale, and sustainable growth—development that serves local needs rather than growth pursued solely in the name of economic prosperity. on Twitter Share Louisville has a small-town character that should be preserved. Rather than prioritizing large developments, the community would benefit from thoughtful, small-scale, and sustainable growth—development that serves local needs rather than growth pursued solely in the name of economic prosperity. on Linkedin Email Louisville has a small-town character that should be preserved. Rather than prioritizing large developments, the community would benefit from thoughtful, small-scale, and sustainable growth—development that serves local needs rather than growth pursued solely in the name of economic prosperity. link

    Louisville has a small-town character that should be preserved. Rather than prioritizing large developments, the community would benefit from thoughtful, small-scale, and sustainable growth—development that serves local needs rather than growth pursued solely in the name of economic prosperity.

    MadiD asked 7 days ago

    Thank you for your input! 

  • Share We think the city should adopt a more reasonable and responsible growth rate of 20%–25%. This is still a large increase, but it would better maintain our great quality of life. Even 20-25% growth will create problems, but they will be far more manageable. on Facebook Share We think the city should adopt a more reasonable and responsible growth rate of 20%–25%. This is still a large increase, but it would better maintain our great quality of life. Even 20-25% growth will create problems, but they will be far more manageable. on Twitter Share We think the city should adopt a more reasonable and responsible growth rate of 20%–25%. This is still a large increase, but it would better maintain our great quality of life. Even 20-25% growth will create problems, but they will be far more manageable. on Linkedin Email We think the city should adopt a more reasonable and responsible growth rate of 20%–25%. This is still a large increase, but it would better maintain our great quality of life. Even 20-25% growth will create problems, but they will be far more manageable. link

    We think the city should adopt a more reasonable and responsible growth rate of 20%–25%. This is still a large increase, but it would better maintain our great quality of life. Even 20-25% growth will create problems, but they will be far more manageable.

    asked 8 days ago

    Thanks for your comment! The plan does not set a target or goal for a growth rate.  The numbers included in the plan are estimates for a potential future buildout if zoning were to change in some areas (the plan does not change zoning in itself, it is a policy document, not regulatory). These estimates help the city plan for future infrastructure and service needs to ensure we are in a position to only enhance these services as any growth occurs over the next 20 years.  The plan is set up to prioritize managed, incremental growth to ensure the City is able to adjust and adapt for capital project programming, updates to utility fees, etc. 

  • Share I really like that the second bullet under Ten Big Things To Get Right Over the Next Ten Years includes increasing affordability. Where are the specific plan elements that ensure this will actually happen? We already know that simply building more types of housing does not lead to affordability. During the period when Steel Ranch, the North End, and DELO added thousands of housing units, housing prices and rents increased. Can the Plan include specific, enforceable measures to ensure affordability as growth occurs? Can affordability conditions be added to the development considerations for each place type? Additionally, the map shows an overlay for naturally occurring affordable housing—why is this not included as a place type with its own development considerations? on Facebook Share I really like that the second bullet under Ten Big Things To Get Right Over the Next Ten Years includes increasing affordability. Where are the specific plan elements that ensure this will actually happen? We already know that simply building more types of housing does not lead to affordability. During the period when Steel Ranch, the North End, and DELO added thousands of housing units, housing prices and rents increased. Can the Plan include specific, enforceable measures to ensure affordability as growth occurs? Can affordability conditions be added to the development considerations for each place type? Additionally, the map shows an overlay for naturally occurring affordable housing—why is this not included as a place type with its own development considerations? on Twitter Share I really like that the second bullet under Ten Big Things To Get Right Over the Next Ten Years includes increasing affordability. Where are the specific plan elements that ensure this will actually happen? We already know that simply building more types of housing does not lead to affordability. During the period when Steel Ranch, the North End, and DELO added thousands of housing units, housing prices and rents increased. Can the Plan include specific, enforceable measures to ensure affordability as growth occurs? Can affordability conditions be added to the development considerations for each place type? Additionally, the map shows an overlay for naturally occurring affordable housing—why is this not included as a place type with its own development considerations? on Linkedin Email I really like that the second bullet under Ten Big Things To Get Right Over the Next Ten Years includes increasing affordability. Where are the specific plan elements that ensure this will actually happen? We already know that simply building more types of housing does not lead to affordability. During the period when Steel Ranch, the North End, and DELO added thousands of housing units, housing prices and rents increased. Can the Plan include specific, enforceable measures to ensure affordability as growth occurs? Can affordability conditions be added to the development considerations for each place type? Additionally, the map shows an overlay for naturally occurring affordable housing—why is this not included as a place type with its own development considerations? link

    I really like that the second bullet under Ten Big Things To Get Right Over the Next Ten Years includes increasing affordability. Where are the specific plan elements that ensure this will actually happen? We already know that simply building more types of housing does not lead to affordability. During the period when Steel Ranch, the North End, and DELO added thousands of housing units, housing prices and rents increased. Can the Plan include specific, enforceable measures to ensure affordability as growth occurs? Can affordability conditions be added to the development considerations for each place type? Additionally, the map shows an overlay for naturally occurring affordable housing—why is this not included as a place type with its own development considerations?

    Krantzt asked 8 days ago

    Thanks for your thoughtful question! The Louisville Housing Plan goes into more detail on the specific needs and strategies related to housing affordability.  You can find more information on this City Council adopt plan at:https://www.engagelouisvilleco.org/louisville-housing-plan.  The city also has an "inclusionary housing ordinance" that requires that 12% of all new residential units be set aside as permanently affordable. That ordinance was not in place when those developments were approved that you mentioned.  We also received City Council direction recently to strengthen the statements in the Comprehensive Plan to more explicitly address housing affordability as a priority when new develpoment occurs.  The Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing area is not a placetype as that policy is not about stating preferred policies related to the built form of development (e.g., building heights, design, etc.). The policies tied to the "NOAH" designations are about ensuring preservation of these affordable areas to signal this is a priority if there is future redevelopment interest in these areas.  Be on the lookout for these changes with the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan.  Thanks again!  

  • Share With this drastic population increase, the already crowded rec center will be packed. Is there a plan for a new recreation center, or to expand the current one? on Facebook Share With this drastic population increase, the already crowded rec center will be packed. Is there a plan for a new recreation center, or to expand the current one? on Twitter Share With this drastic population increase, the already crowded rec center will be packed. Is there a plan for a new recreation center, or to expand the current one? on Linkedin Email With this drastic population increase, the already crowded rec center will be packed. Is there a plan for a new recreation center, or to expand the current one? link

    With this drastic population increase, the already crowded rec center will be packed. Is there a plan for a new recreation center, or to expand the current one?

    EliasK asked 8 days ago

    You're in luck! The City is currently updating its recreation master plan, intentionally sequenced after this citywide comprehensive plan to address that very question. You can follow along with that project at: https://www.engagelouisvilleco.org/join-the-journey. 

Page last updated: 28 Jan 2026, 04:06 PM