[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,87,97],{"_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",5977314,"mediaKeyId","5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e","parentId",5818582,"title","Adams County seeks direction to update Sustainability 2030 plan with climate action goals; staff proposes limited consultant work and budget review","audioSeconds",1931,"startMs",6163000,"endMs",8094000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e&start=6163&end=8094","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e/thumbnail_6163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977314/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-seeks-direction-to-update-Sustainability-2030-plan-with-climate-action-goals-staff-proposes-limited-consultant-work-and-budget-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977314-8957e7c8562324f8934481db32ee25a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044110&Signature=DCw92bqNyKB-DZoyw0T6U2wuV3hKiZGQVhSSMvo~8uVGUsbpF3C35FKKMU9hug29gL-29PYXKDkU6Ov7BWbyGXFIhe-b1356i7rnbWCSe7xJzsGqCctVnloPQ6wJLsmH7jFIvqc80O7xdam122X32fchMyRiTc-c-KQq5LP9hf56xPMC3gY1BinCzaECSL~~aXIeC1rm5zlQf2AzM5bzpXX0XG~B~sK8Srjz5dTteMpJuLJkrK6XLAjwlkzElY8JL~AG7Y5OJ7PmZv722-HHFYM9vDySf5BKH31OBWCI9LCHVc3ssXGZmAIPFeg3B2YBdU5MLuaB55gBbFwwAwHCNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Adams County CO ","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Amir Fakir, fleets and facilities, and Ariel Gerstein, sustainability administrator, briefed commissioners on the status of the Adams County Sustainability 2030 plan and proposed an updated sustainability and climate action plan to add greenhouse gas targets and emissions‑reduction strategies.

The staff presentation summarized accomplishments and ongoing work: the county reported more than 2,600 solar permits issued since 2016, nine EVs added to the county fleet in 2024 with eight more to be leased in 2025, and 29 charging stations across several county facilities. Staff said the current sustainability plan is about 59% complete against its 2030 goals and that the proposed climate component would add modeled greenhouse gas reduction targets and policy guidance for both government operations and community‑wide emissions.

Amanda Perkins, climate policy implementation specialist, said the county completed a greenhouse gas inventory using 2023 data to establish baselines for government operations and the community. The inventory showed the building sector is the largest source of county operations emissions; staff noted industrial sectors drive a large share of community emissions. Perkins said the climate action update would include modeling of a business‑as‑usual scenario and the emissions impact of proposed actions to support goal‑setting.

Staff described regulatory and compliance items affecting county operations: Regulation 20 Part G (large‑entity reporting requirements for fleet emissions) and Regulation 28 (benchmarking for buildings over 50,000 square feet). Staff reported that five of the county’s seven covered buildings meet the 2026 benchmarking target and three meet the 2030 target; an energy performance contract (EPC) underway is expected to address remaining gaps.

On near‑term regulatory action, staff noted a 2025 ozone‑area rule that restricted use of small internal‑combustion lawn and garden equipment between June 1 and August 31; facilities and contract landscapers complied and the county is acquiring electric landscaping equipment. Staff also described other programs and outreach including an Earth Day event that collected more than 150 gas‑powered lawn machines for voucher replacement.

Regarding the proposed plan update, staff recommended hiring a consultant to model emissions scenarios, help set achievable targets and help prepare a community engagement process. Staff estimated the consultant scope at roughly $150,000–$350,000 depending on outreach intensity. Board members asked for options that would protect implementation funding—commissioners said they prefer right‑sizing the consulting scope so the county can preserve the majority of its sustainability budget for on‑the‑ground measures.

Commissioners asked staff to present a clearer breakdown of how the county’s existing sustainability line (described in the meeting as a $1,000,000 annual base budget item within Facilities) would be programmed between plan development and implementation projects for the next budget cycle. Staff agreed to return with more detailed budget programming and a narrower scope for consultant work if the board wants to preserve funds for capital implementation.

Staff requested board feedback on moving forward with a scoped plan update; the board’s preliminary direction was to continue with planning but to right‑size consultant work and present budget options during the upcoming budget deliberations so the board can weigh implementation versus planning tradeoffs. No formal appropriation or contract award was made at the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 23, 2025 Board of County Commissioners Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Adams County sustainability staff asked the board to authorize a scoped update to the county’s Sustainability 2030 plan to add greenhouse‑gas targets and a community climate action framework, while commissioners requested that the consultant scope be limited so most of the county’s sustainability budget can remain for implementation.","taxTitle","Adams County, Colorado","taxId",4150,"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},5977324,"Adams County outlines major updates to parking, landscaping, signage and lighting in draft development standards",2681,0,2681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e&start=0&end=2681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/5977324/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-outlines-major-updates-to-parking-landscaping-signage-and-lighting-in-draft-development-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977324-92b2794b163737380664bb25d0294f8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044110&Signature=hLzz2klOMHstaR9cTJHw2oj-J9TO~YAaMpajFEmdyPnwSfYsZ3iW0sOT2BceMbVzjTy4KhQU3vV42ry2o2IRL3Fzo8HRVj1tDrX93-aJzc6rSqHuXGCo0f~UnOxD9mWLXDqDhQ0di-1wDfUp8Jlii-SDDvbU4dzyi4eL5pqiaW2AZdg49q2fxCF4Q60r6syv7aeHSguHu6oeEbfG9Manj-lOQa~xKh7McFVyBTQhVi9FNH2qB~h7HtuWjMQGjD2Pzj8hvTWbpVlbQCSb2o~rBvrYeVlYJ8PLa2HbWopRUK41ll-pLs1-e~yrWSqSD5DFfDfSNPaYoS9NHGKP~8HRsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County planners and their consultants presented Module 3 of a draft update to the county's development standards on topics that include parking, landscaping, signs, lighting and building design, saying the package aims to reduce excessive parking and encourage more sustainable site design. The presentation ran through proposed maximum parking caps, parking‑design graphics, buffer and planting rules that emphasize drought‑tolerant species, standards for electronic message signs and guidance for lighting and building materials.

The changes matter because many communities nationwide are moving away from minimum parking mandates and toward parking caps, reduced impervious area and landscape standards meant to improve water efficiency and long‑term plant survival. County staff said several provisions are intended to streamline approvals by allowing administrative flexibility for reductions tied to features such as bicycle parking, electric vehicle (EV) charging, or transportation demand management studies.

The consultant presenting the module (identified in the meeting as the project consultant) said the draft introduces a maximum parking cap equal to 150% of the minimum requirement for many uses, and a size‑tiered ratio that reduces required parking at larger retail footprints. The draft also would allow administrative reductions if projects provide bicycle parking, ride‑share spaces, EV charging or a transportation demand management study, rather than requiring a variance to the Board of Adjustment. The consultant summarized: “there are built in flexibilities for parking provisions so that . . . if a site provides certain features . . . they can reduce the amount of required parking.”

On multifamily housing, county staff clarified that a recent state statutory change exempts certain multifamily developments within designated transit corridors from local parking requirements. Greg Dean, oil and gas administrator, and other participants cautioned that statutory exemptions limit local authority in some cases; the draft’s 150% cap applies broadly to non‑single‑family uses but may be constrained where state law provides exemptions.

Landscaping changes focus on three buffer types—between land uses, around parking lots, and between streets and primary uses—and push for drought‑tolerant, locally appropriate species and Waterwise planting practices. A county planning staff member said the draft would require roughly 80% low‑water‑use plant material and include an establishment plan that monitors survival at one and two years and permits temporary irrigation to ensure establishment.

Sign standards in the draft include illustrated sign types and per‑district tables of allowed signs. The presentation noted a choice of a 10‑second dwell time for electronic message centers (rather than four seconds) and reinforced content neutrality based on the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court precedent limiting content‑based sign regulation. For lighting, the draft aims to limit glare and light trespass with measurable standards (foot‑candles or nits discussed in the meeting) so code enforcement can respond to complaints with meter readings.

The draft includes bicycle parking standards (a baseline of at least one bicycle space in certain contexts and an additional amount up to a capped percentage of vehicle parking) and EV charging requirements that align with and do not contradict the Colorado Energy Code. County staff said the draft would require charging for multifamily and larger commercial projects in proportion to required parking, with rounding rules for fractional spaces and screening requirements for chargers.

A sustainability index included in Module 3 would require projects above specific size thresholds to achieve a minimum number of points based on measures such as reclaimed‑water irrigation, energy‑efficient appliances, and mixed‑use location. The draft currently sets baseline point thresholds by project size and does not yet tie points to incentives such as increased density or height, though staff noted incentives could be added.

County staff framed most of Module 3 as clarifying or augmenting existing standards and flagged building design and the sustainability index as areas needing explicit board direction. The presentation closed with procedural next steps: staff plans a board and staff workshop in mid‑November, additional consultant trips in January 2026, public review and adoption efforts in 2026, and further stakeholder meetings.

For readers: these are draft, non‑adopted proposals; staff emphasized they are working drafts intended to solicit board and community feedback and that final text will return for formal hearings and adoption.","Adams County planners and their consultants presented Module 3 of the draft Development Standards Revision, proposing maximum parking caps, new buffering and landscaping rules emphasizing drought‑tolerant plantings, illustrated sign and lighting standards, bicycle and EV parking requirements, and a sustainability index for larger projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":79,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977307,"County staff to forward Wagner‑Mayhew conservation easement amendment for consent calendar; right‑of‑way adjustment proposed",8106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e&start=8106&end=8106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e/thumbnail_8106000.jpg","/articles/5977307/Adams-County/Colorado/County-staff-to-forward-WagnerMayhew-conservation-easement-amendment-for-consent-calendar-rightofway-adjustment-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977307-e72d5fb515e1e67877661af579e11253/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044110&Signature=m~WABF3UW7Av0yIXLXhl0u9TDt-899Ekm9qt47moxA78RJasIpbabRMI64gMe7bGFvxc6Hp37ypSY9CW6l7e-JoJ457Kmwz5C4WUz2COuFgvBt-7J98UTs4g8MITWO~7C9N3SjlsS3wNcVALkVld5wiSy81G4lNi3khYG94v35OSnBZ9vL5B4C9BfrjDT85kwRqm0--ShQDwuWXYCYg8J~sB8RQUk7nhUre6e2c1xrySfqjpf3SrXN-EAvDgDNxaNHPdI0pNt55bssaf1YbMErzZjygywulwvEnqcCWW0kOEcoIVjsY6799o9w8M0SKSIj0xdD7C0XV0dDMXZC2tGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Byron (Parks) and staff told the Board of County Commissioners that Adams County will place an amendment to the 2023 conservation easement on the Wagner‑Mayhew property on next week’s consent calendar to accommodate a required right‑of‑way for a drainage channel along Sable Boulevard.

Cindy Stringham and Ali Cooper (agriculture and natural resource specialist) briefed the board. Staff said the City of Brighton will reimburse the county’s conservation funding sources, including GOCO and the Adams County open‑space program, under an agreement the city has executed. Staff said the change had been contemplated when the original conservation easement was issued in 2023 and that the proposed amendment addresses a drainage and right‑of‑way need at Sable and 140th Avenue.

Staff indicated the item will appear on the consent calendar next week and requested the board’s acknowledgement of the upcoming item. No public hearing or vote on the amendment was conducted during the study session; staff said the packet for next week will include the executed agreements and related documentation.","Parks staff briefed the board that a previously granted conservation easement on the Wagner‑Mayhew property includes a contemplated right‑of‑way for a drainage channel; the City of Brighton has executed repayment agreements with grantors (GOCO and county open space funds) and county staff will place the amendment on next week’s consent calendar.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977319,"Adams County proposes administrative waiver for oil and gas setbacks near environmentally sensitive areas",360,2682000,3042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e&start=2682&end=3042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818582-c8ef9d8e53b4d619f178ad5133944d2e/thumbnail_2682000.jpg","/articles/5977319/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-proposes-administrative-waiver-for-oil-and-gas-setbacks-near-environmentally-sensitive-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977319-090a83475d831d1ec520e2fcb9a8123d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044110&Signature=mKmLznX~LmqaJI8CpI9VDv-xmey~Co0AfC34cAMWYAMPOE7zM6fRv6AWhkSsYgAHgSj47DjuaWGU1Z7V~wzJYpwUbHnnAVizRmnM2l9QdhWLxWDf1AO7E59c~k5J3~6O8dtzhpLzoVy9WSbtC-Z6qr2LmcjZrubXFq1gGF17IgM6POx4ssZ3ejYT8CHxAEgC4IBUD0PrQe2x39jR8paggNPjnhkClidE5Q4gXMRrP1un8V0vqcJC2R6afY-MmRamK5iYcARyYlvAlhbU7VSmI9y6pHMOmSOgE~TJMqydlfWKWtU3hH8fA7x4cZcAkks7msLwWD~YlRRmmKUHgPSHgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Dean, Adams County oil and gas administrator, told the board the county currently requires a 2,000‑foot setback from wetlands, rivers, lakes and streams for new oil and gas facilities and that any proposal inside 2,000 feet must now seek a waiver from the Board of County Commissioners. Dean proposed creating an administrative waiver for facilities located between 1,000 and 2,000 feet from environmentally sensitive areas so staff could require specific mitigation measures without a full board hearing.

Dean said the administrative waiver would be modeled on existing residential setback waiver processes and would require site‑specific best management practices. As part of a waiver request, operators would be required to submit a third‑party environmental site assessment approved by Adams County and to obtain a letter of concurrence or similar input from state agencies such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) or Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as appropriate to the resource.

\"This would allow us to leverage state agencies that have more expertise to [address] specific environmentally sensitive items,\" Dean said. He added the county would be able to require mitigation measures for administrative waivers—stormwater controls, spill prevention, secondary containment for tanks, siting equipment away from sensitive areas, and preferring pipeline connections over trucked deliveries—rather than merely encouraging those measures.

Dean described the waiver as an incentive for operators to site facilities farther from sensitive resources; under the current process, a site 50 feet from a wetland follows the same hearing process as a site 1,999 feet from a wetland. The proposed tiered approach would keep the county's standards more protective than state practice: Dean said the county's 2,000‑foot setback is already more protective than state guidance, and an administrative waiver at 1,000 feet would still be more restrictive than state benchmarks discussed in the presentation.

Board members asked that staff ensure future hearing packets clearly summarize what operators did not do (for example, why an administrative waiver was not pursued) so commissioners have information about alternative mitigation that could have been required. Dean and staff said they would incorporate that summary into staff reports and suggested the administrative waiver rules would make mitigation requirements enforceable under county regulations rather than relying solely on state enforcement.

No formal adoption or vote was recorded in the presentation; Dean described the proposal and solicited feedback about the waiver structure, required third‑party review and coordination with state agencies. Staff said they would bring more detailed draft waiver language and related staff‑report templates back to the board for consideration.","County oil and gas staff proposed an administrative waiver to the county's existing 2,000‑foot setback from environmentally sensitive areas for new oil and gas facilities for sites located between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, requiring additional best management practices and third‑party environmental assessments for waivers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Adams County seeks direction to update Sustainability 2030 plan with climate action goals; staff proposes limited consultant work and budget review

Adams County outlines major updates to parking, landscaping, signage and lighting in draft development standards

County staff to forward Wagner‑Mayhew conservation easement amendment for consent calendar; right‑of‑way adjustment proposed

Adams County proposes administrative waiver for oil and gas setbacks near environmentally sensitive areas