[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6137168,"mediaKeyId","5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690","parentId",5603971,"title","Larimer County: Ranch Phase 2 construction underway; staff seeks tourism grant for 2026 sesquicentennial and federal anniversary events","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",4373000,"endMs",4653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690&start=4373&end=4653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690/thumbnail_4373000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6137168/Larimer-County/Colorado/Larimer-County-Ranch-Phase-2-construction-underway-staff-seeks-tourism-grant-for-2026-sesquicentennial-and-federal-anniversary-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137168-9afdd285f82b08a7176e25563c5dd4f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161773&Signature=fstsIpwf2JnnTc07lzY8mEN7oQsR-v-p5-fjhdJnn~-mpGrU0fQ9GbJJ-iWI08yY-51yFkPSDkp5h0lfJp98en1wccLVMIICcuPT9fupbdgS23nXqpbHFeX6RJni-QswGmlb3oLqjelIww3pSQcLu47FiYcPs~a65VGMBlB8fQ2lUdri8GRdo4ucxezrsAeMCXQFIKDDiLimdPLclbze--7xzUhC3KSdQhlye50R8RKJalt9rDUsU~Xtiinoi8ID-fkbVUf770VaLnMdBmf8D2gAd32GelcEAPDskvznvUCRloOA14sY8AsidwCQy-ZvBrAaJ~U7Yiu~-Qjse39xRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Larimer County","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","Leslie Ellis, director of Community Planning, Infrastructure & Resources, updated the Board of County Commissioners on construction activity at The Ranch and a request for a Colorado tourism office grant to support anniversary events planned for 2026.

Ellis said the contractor Colson Excavating began Phase 2 work, including removal of the old entrance and monument (completed), widening County Road 5, expanding a detention pond, constructing a new parking lot (Parking Lot E) and adding a northbound acceleration lane on Arena Circle. “All of this work is scheduled to be completed by October 2,” Ellis said.

Ellis also said The Ranch is planning events to mark the nation's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th anniversary in 2026 and that staff had prepared a letter for the Board to sign supporting an application to the Colorado tourism office. The letter was placed on the dais for commissioners and Ellis said the grant application deadline was imminent.

In addition, staff reported an award recognition: the Larimer County Water Master Plan received an honor award from the Colorado chapter of the American Planning Association and partners including the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy and the Sonoran Institute; staff said a formal presentation and plaque will be returned to the full board after the October awards event.

Board response and next steps
Commissioners indicated support for the tourism grant letter and for celebrating the awards recognition. Ellis said staff will bring the signed letter to the tourism office and will return with follow-up on grant results and construction progress at The Ranch.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Larimer County BOCC Work Session, 8/18/25, 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","County staff reported Phase 2 construction at The Ranch has begun and that staff plan to apply for a Colorado tourism grant to support events marking the United States 250th and Colorado 150th anniversaries; staff also noted an honor award for the county water master plan.","taxTitle","Larimer County, Colorado","taxId",4545,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137173,"Larimer County staff to seek ADU grant to waive permit fees in exchange for deed-restricted affordable rentals",1706,1471000,3177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690&start=1471&end=3177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6137173/Larimer-County/Colorado/Larimer-County-staff-to-seek-ADU-grant-to-waive-permit-fees-in-exchange-for-deed-restricted-affordable-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137173-652ec2540dca172261b642c3dbc013da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161773&Signature=GQn90C5ou836u837nlgVvyHx0yz212EkLvMbl-eao5eIqeXgJvlb5xlS17~L668d6TDV-yFgeFfeTFga~n~LQRq2L0oPOb6Q6WPDP5bJjOu5Z3XPRTHFjXiZJSHiDqtQtWPbj9WrZAkTdmaX9eUjoiL-SCmQWMZPqPid3CbBcPHsSlDf9qFDP6LuI39zjhADr31cesTsgTG55dm4jgVhcNfV6LbXbru7-gZvc0mj~vowmAMeYk6IUrl0gT6SfQ9lHh8SkkUB9J33E8aamVtNEtNbznuNA2tT3TCvqXVfZHciSvAZxR0r0X4ZMYxUWAXezB-RkJeIzvpZUK4O8Hc1Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Everett, Community Development Director, told the Board that an ADU grant round is open with an Aug. 29 application deadline and that county staff are preparing an application. Everett said the county would use grant funds to waive building-permit fees for new accessory dwelling units and would backfill the county's building fund with the grant dollars to maintain cost recovery.

\"We would intend to seek these funds to waive building permit fees for new accessory dwelling units,\" Everett said, explaining that homeowners who accept the fee waiver would record a deed restriction committing the unit to affordable rental for a stated period.

Why it matters: Staff said the ADU program could help meet local affordable-housing goals by reducing construction costs for homeowners who add ADUs and commit those units to long-term affordable rental. The county's housing staff noted potential program overlap with Proposition 123 goals and county landlord-education programs aimed at supporting rental housing stock.

Program design and trade-offs
Staff reported a proposed grant request of $100,000 and a 25% local match requirement. Everett provided recent permit-fee figures: \"For some recent ADUs that were built in the county depending on whether they're in an existing building or a new building, detached or internal to a house, it ranges between $3,000 and $15,000,\" she said. The county would need to determine deed-restriction length and enforcement. Several commissioners asked for a minimum deed-restriction term; one commissioner urged a minimum of five years as a floor, and staff said they would continue to research best practices and program designs used elsewhere.

Staff cautioned that program uptake depends on deed-restriction terms and whether permit-waiver amounts justify the restriction period for homeowners. County staff noted that the ADU program in their code already prohibits ADUs from being used as short-term rentals and that enforcement of that rule is part of current code administration.

Board response
Commissioners expressed support for submitting the application in the current round but did not record a formal vote. Staff said they would submit the application and, if awarded, return with a recommendation on program design, deed-restriction length, match funding and fee-backfill details.

Next steps
Staff will finalize and submit the ADU grant application by the Aug. 29 deadline, refine recommended deed-restriction terms and, if successful, return to the Board with detailed implementation options.","County staff said they will prepare an application for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) grant (deadline Aug. 29) to backfill building-permit fees for homeowners that deed-restrict ADUs at affordable rates; commissioners expressed support but did not take formal action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137178,"Larimer County staff outlines state mandates, timelines and funding options for housing, land-use and building-code changes",3103,986000,4089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690&start=986&end=4089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603971-3244d8f9deb7cd2405d92f50f24e0690/thumbnail_986000.jpg","/articles/6137178/Larimer-County/Colorado/Larimer-County-staff-outlines-state-mandates-timelines-and-funding-options-for-housing-land-use-and-building-code-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137178-2eeae71cee6b4029f5a7e6fcc07c31a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161773&Signature=ac36gYS-Owct1jm~-qANmf1fL4roeaIMpzKBmP-0zY5V4AflQ1PGZYD262vO9Ft~5oxCSUduwQV7n8gQ98yDI3~WfGV5Pqkwk5cc7vmQu3M00RliVK32Fr5lMXpKRZaTW9UJEnKMBkQOYpKVEJ0NQpfYYCcG-Sf0jUNvJB9atoA2poaGC-lssehMAkQwIhv2~fhjYKBXMFxnFBFv8mklmyQjhOrI8K~F05qNJl1vpZHu0RLiBUMW2MGpYDrGqurK4tILucyEQjH5hddAwYjqT3WfymkOh4h4Udwp~vxTdVCKfX0uilF3I6xwTGnaY-PRUoOT6fpLoDP-mCrqH4135w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Everett, Larimer County’s Community Development Director, told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 18 that county staff are tracking recent state actions and executive direction that affect county land use, housing and building-code responsibilities. “I'm here today to provide an update on recent legislation that affects the Community Development Department in particular, including how we are intending to meet the deadlines for various mandates,” Everett said.

The update grouped several topics the county must address to remain eligible for some state funding and to comply with new requirements: removing residential occupancy limits based on family relationship (already implemented by the county as of July 1, 2024), limiting local minimum parking requirements near high-frequency transit, adopting an expedited review process for affordable housing projects, completing a county housing needs assessment and housing action plan, and completing comprehensive plan updates to add a water-supply element and a strategic growth element.

Why this matters: Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order in May that instructs state agencies to prioritize funding to local governments that are either in compliance or in progress on a set of “strategic growth” obligations. Everett told the board that the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will maintain a compliance list and that state funding from agencies such as the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Energy Office and Department of Local Affairs may be prioritized based on that status.

Most urgent items and deadlines
- Expedited-review process for affordable housing: adopting a process by Dec. 31, 2025, would make the county eligible for a guaranteed Proposition 123 incentive payment of $50,000 for jurisdictions that adopt such a process. Everett said staff is drafting code language to guarantee a 90-day review for qualifying affordable housing projects and intends to present related code changes and a resolution of Board support.
- Housing needs assessment and housing action plan: SB24-174 requires a housing needs assessment (deadline cited in the presentation as Dec. 31, 2026) and a housing action plan by Jan. 1, 2028. Everett said Larimer County contracted with Fort Collins and Loveland for a regional housing needs assessment and expects the assessment to be finished well before the statutory deadline.
- Comprehensive plan updates: SB24-174 also requires updates to add a water-supply element and a strategic growth element by Dec. 31, 2026. Staff has not yet identified funding or a final scope for the comprehensive-plan update and is monitoring forthcoming state guidance.

Building-code and safety-related items
- Regional building codes for factory-built structures (SB25002): staff reported compliance with the initial benchmark and said statewide rulemaking will define the regional code by July 1, 2026. Building official Eric Fried will monitor and comment during rule development.
- Statewide wildfire (WUI) code: staff included the wildfire resiliency code in the county's 2024 building-code package and plans for compliance by the April 1, 2026 deadline.
- Statewide electric/solar-ready and low energy/carbon codes: staff said the electric and solar-ready requirements are included in the current building-code package; the low energy/carbon code will apply any time the county updates codes after July 2026.
- Water-conservation and nonfunctional turf prohibition (SB24-005): the county is preparing code changes for compliance by Jan. 1, 2026; environmental planner Scott Benton is leading that work.

Practical clarifications and next steps
Matt Lafferty, the county principal planner, described the planned parking-code edit as straightforward: “We'll go into our parking section of our code, which is where we find our minimum standards, and we'll just adopt some language that says what is exempted from our regulations.” Everett and Lafferty said draft code language will be routed to the Planning Commission and returned to the Board of County Commissioners for approval or modification, as required by state law.

Leslie Ellis, director of Community Planning, Infrastructure & Resources, and other staff told the board they will monitor rulemaking for the factory-built and wildfire codes, coordinate with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority on wildfire code work, and continue to analyze resource needs for the comprehensive-plan update. Several commissioners asked staff to show, in the 2026 work plan, which existing county projects might be delayed if staff time is redirected to meet mandated compliance dates.

Funding and grants
Staff outlined grants that could support compliance work: the Proposition 123 incentive (guaranteed $50,000 for jurisdictions that adopt an expedited affordable-housing review), a housing-planning grant program created under SB24-174 (25% local match), and a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant for a groundwater study for which the county has applied (county requested $300,000 with a proposed $100,000 match). Everett said staff will pursue appropriate grants and return to the board to prioritize spending if awards are made.

What the board said
Commissioners generally expressed support for prioritizing compliance with the statutory deadlines while urging staff to clearly identify trade-offs in the 2026 work plan. One commissioner asked staff to track statewide rulemaking closely and to provide cost estimates (for example, the county will ask the building official to provide cost estimates for implementing wildfire and low-energy code requirements). No formal vote was recorded on any item during this discussion.

Looking ahead: staff will prepare proposed code amendments, seek Planning Commission input where required, pursue available grants, and return to the Board with draft code language and a proposed 2026 work plan that calls out items shifted or delayed due to compliance needs.","Community Development staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on multiple state mandates and related grant opportunities affecting parking rules, accessory dwelling units, housing planning, building codes, water and wildfire rules and timelines for compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Larimer County: Ranch Phase 2 construction underway; staff seeks tourism grant for 2026 sesquicentennial and federal anniversary events

Larimer County staff to seek ADU grant to waive permit fees in exchange for deed-restricted affordable rentals

Larimer County staff outlines state mandates, timelines and funding options for housing, land-use and building-code changes