Adams County establishes County Revitalization Authority to target infrastructure and redevelopment

On March 31, 2026, the Adams County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to find the need for and create the Adams County Revitalization Authority (CRA) under Colorado statute. The action establishes the authority as a tool for future county revitalization plans; actual projects and financing will require subsequent plans, reviews by the planning commission, and adoption by the board.

Jenny Hall, director of Community and Economic Development, and Deputy Director Bill Aiken described the CRA as a county-level instrument similar in purpose to urban renewal but different in funding mechanics and checks. Staff emphasized that the authority will not raise taxes or add a mill levy; rather, it would capture and re-invest incremental county property tax revenues generated by proactive public and private investments within a defined revitalization area. The authority would have powers to enter contracts, create its budget, borrow money, acquire and dispose of property, and develop infrastructure and redevelopment projects—subject to statutory limits and later plan approvals.

Staff walked commissioners through the statute's constraints and process: the authority will identify revitalization areas, prepare county revitalization plans, coordinate with municipalities and special taxing districts, and submit plans to the planning commission for consistency review before board adoption and implementation. Bill Aiken noted that school districts are not permitted to participate financially under the statute; other taxing entities (water, sanitation or special districts) would need to submit a petition to participate and could be granted seats on the authority over time.

The board also approved appointing the Board of County Commissioners to serve as the initial commissioners of the authority and named Chairwoman Maestas as the initial chairperson for the first year. Staff were directed to file the required certificate with the Division of Local Governments in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Commissioners framed the action as creating a new county tool to address long-standing infrastructure and redevelopment gaps in unincorporated areas and to enable longer-term, multiyear financing strategies.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how increment sharing would work with other taxing districts, constraints on including agricultural land in a revitalization plan, and the difference between this authority and urban renewal entities. Staff said intergovernmental coordination and petition processes would be part of the plan development and that additional approvals and impact reports would be required before funds are committed.

The motion to find the need for and create the County Revitalization Authority (pursuant to CRS 30-31-104) passed unanimously.