Larimer County delays new office building; keeps existing space flexible and focuses on Justice Center

Larimer County commissioners were told Wednesday that an update to the county’s 2018 Facilities Master Plan shows the county does not need a new administrative office building in the short term and should hold existing space for flexible use while focusing capital on a planned Justice Center.

The recommendation came during a Jan. 15 work session in which county facilities staff and consultants from CRB Group presented the updated plan. The 2018 master plan originally identified roughly $600,000,000 in potential future capital investments; presenters said about one‑third of those recommendations already have been completed.

Ken Cooper, Larimer County facilities director, told the commissioners the pandemic changed where and how county staff work and that change reduced near‑term demand for traditional office space. "It's a lot of good news to share today," Cooper said, adding that most of the county’s outstanding capital need now centers on the Justice Center.

Consultant Sydney Hamilton of CRB Group summarized the study’s approach and findings. The team validated current headcount data (about 2,613 employees) and used a…