Wellington and Larimer County officials begin work on intergovernmental agreement to define growth-management area

Wellington planning staff and Larimer County officials outlined a proposed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to formalize coordination of growth-management areas, development review and infrastructure standards between Wellington and Larimer County.

Tony Bird, Wellington planning director, told the joint work session the goal was to confirm “the path that we've started and that staff feels that we're on” and to solicit feedback on a draft process and schedule. Leslie Ellis of Larimer County planning said the county has experience with IGAs and provided sample agreements as models.

The proposed IGA would identify a Growth Management Area (GMA) boundary where the town’s influence and planned utility service area would carry extra weight in review, while the county would retain jurisdiction in unincorporated areas. County staff described a GMA overlay district implemented through the county land-use code so that county development review can apply regulations consistent with Wellington’s comprehensive plan when appropriate. Leslie Ellis said the overlay is “an implementation tool that we use as part of our land use code to make sure that we get consistent development with what you're trying to accomplish in that area.”

The discussion covered: reconciling GMA boundary lines between the 2019 Larimer County comprehensive plan and Wellington’s 2021 plan; a cooperative planning area intended in part as a community separator around Cobb Lake; coordination on transportation, stormwater and other infrastructure; possible fee collection for shared facilities; and annexation policy including how to address enclaves.

Trustees and county commissioners emphasized preserving a contiguous open-space separator between Wellington and neighboring municipalities. Trustee Cannon and others said they want boundaries drawn to protect agricultural/open-space character in the middle of the corridor, with lower-density development nearer municipal edges. Commissioner Kristen Stevens and others supported the concept of cooperative planning and agreed early public engagement will be needed.

On annexation policy, staff noted a state law provision allowing counties to require annexation of enclaves after three years. Tony Bird said the IGA is an opportunity to clarify policy on how the town and county will handle enclaves, service responsibility, and transitions when parcels within the GMA develop before annexation eligibility. Several trustees said involuntary annexation raises property-rights concerns for long-time rural owners; staff said they will present balanced policy options.

Officials proposed a work schedule: staff-level boundary reconciliation and outreach, a public-engagement effort (open houses/mailings), iterative drafting and review by each governing body, and the possibility of additional work sessions through the fall with a target to complete adoption by the fourth quarter of 2025. Tony Bird said staff expect to return with recommended boundary lines in the first quarter of 2025 for board consideration.

Why it matters: the IGA would set predictable rules about where Wellington’s utilities and development standards apply, how county development review will consider town policy goals, and who pays for and maintains roads, stormwater, and other infrastructure as growth fills the designated areas. Officials said the agreement is intended to avoid service duplication and to give surrounding residents advance notice of the planning approach.

Next steps: staff will continue drafting IGA language, coordinate with other regional partners when needed, and develop a public outreach plan to present the proposed GMA overlay, transportation standards and annexation policy options.