Charles Ferro

Charles Ferro, AICP is the Senior Planning Manager with City of Boulder, Colorado, Planning and Development Services Department. He and his team are charged with the review and evaluation of development proposals for compliance with the City’s land development regulations and policies. As a part of the development review process, Charles and his team prepare professional recommendations for presentation to the City’s Planning Board and City Council. Over the past twenty years, Charles has worked as both a current and long-range planner and has been directly involved with development review, physical planning, and policy development. Charles began his career as an urban planner for the City of Thornton, Colorado in 2000 and has also worked extensively on costal and inland development projects in south Florida. He received his Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver in 2001 and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2004. Charles has been with the City of Boulder since 2005.

My advice to students...

Lead by Example: Your actions should reflect the values and standards you expect. If you consistently demonstrate integrity, commitment, and professionalism, it will impact those around you.

Communicate Clearly and Consistently: Open, compassionately honest communication helps build trust. Be transparent about expectations. Be kind.

Listen Actively: Pay attention to the ideas, concerns, and feedback of others. Active listening can provide valuable insights that improve decision-making and outcomes.

Empower Others: Give your team the autonomy to make decisions. Trusting your team to take ownership of their work encourages growth. Mistakes are okay and unavoidable. They are learning opportunities and teachable moments.

Adaptability: Be flexible and open to change always. Change is the only constant.

Champion a Positive Environment: Champion and model a work culture that encourages collaboration and respect. Always assume good intent.

Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback that is specific, actionable, and supportive. Focus on helping your team members improve and grow rather than pointing out mistakes. Again, mistakes are unavoidable and result in teachable moments. The focus should always be on a graceful recovery.