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Boulder discusses annexation policy after 2025 state‑law changes; council to consult county
Summary
Town leaders reviewed updated state law on annexation and asked councilmembers to query county commissioners about adopting a county-level ordinance before Boulder drafts a local annexation policy plan.
Boulder — Town leaders spent part of the Feb. 10 joint meeting reviewing how recent state-law changes affect annexation and whether the town should prepare a local annexation policy plan.
Roger Carter of 5 County summarized, "That is correct... it requires an annexation, requires signatures by property owners," reflecting a 2025 change in the statute (section 10-2-803) that, participants said, largely eliminated the older annexation-by-petition option except for narrow exceptions.
Attorney Michael Wynne and county staff said an annexation policy plan can either be a chapter within the general plan or a stand‑alone document, and that preparing the plan typically requires a four‑to‑five month public process with several hearings. Wynne and county staff offered to help draft the plan if the council desires.
Some councilmembers said they see little motivation for voluntary annexation in many parts of Boulder because the town provides limited services, while others noted potential use cases (Lower Boulder, subdivisions using town roads). The council agreed commissioners should contact county officials to see whether the county would adopt a county-level ordinance that could change the town’s incentive or timing to pursue a local annexation plan.
No formal annexation action was taken; next steps are outreach to the county and, if there is county interest, 5 County offered support drafting a locally appropriate annexation policy plan.
