DOLA trainer briefs Lake County on new Colorado planning requirements, meeting procedures

Casey McPherson, senior planner in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Local Government, led a roughly two-hour training for Lake County planning commissioners, county staff and elected officials on Jan. 30 focused on what local bodies must include in plans and how to run defensible public meetings.

McPherson emphasized recent statutory changes and practical steps for planning commissions and boards to avoid legal exposure and improve public participation. "This training typically runs about 2 hours," she told the group as she opened the session and said materials would be shared after the meeting. The presentation covered DOLA resources, statutory requirements for master plans, and procedural and ethical practices for public hearings.

The training matters because state law is changing the content and frequency of local planning documents, and local decisions are often challenged in court when processes or findings are weak. McPherson told attendees that statutory updates now require some communities to add or update a water supply element, a strategic growth element in certain jurisdictions, and new housing-related elements tied to housing action plans. She said these elements must be updated on a five-year timeline in applicable jurisdictions.

Most of the session summarized DOLA guidance and resources. McPherson described DOLADivision of Local Government roles, regional managers as first touch points for state grant programs, and…