Wellington approves intergovernmental agreement with Larimer County to manage urban growth

The Wellington Town Board on Nov. 12 adopted Resolution 47-2025, approving an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Larimer County to coordinate management of urban growth adjacent to Wellington. Planning Director Cody Byrd told trustees the IGA includes an exhibit map showing two boundary lines — the town’s growth-management area (black line) and the county’s growth-management overlay (red line) — and creates a framework for cooperative development review, infrastructure coordination and protection of open-space buffers between jurisdictions.

Byrd summarized recent engagement: a well-attended August open house with more than 50 attendees, a unanimous county planning commission recommendation to forward the overlay district, and ongoing coordination with neighboring municipalities. He described a handful of non-substantive clarifying edits requested by county staff (technical wording in paragraph 1, removal of redundant language, referral wording to match established county procedure, and a reference to the Box Elder Basin Stormwater Authority agreement). Trustees asked about annexation authority within cooperative planning areas; Byrd said the IGA does not remove statutory annexation powers but coordinated actions could affect mutual goals.

Trustee Cannon moved to approve the IGA and the board adopted Resolution 47-2025 by roll call. Byrd said county commissioners were expected to take related actions soon and staff will participate in county hearings if needed.