With a decision by Boulder City Council possibly just six months away, CU Boulder and the city of Boulder continue to engage on an annexation agreement for the CU Boulder South property. If reached, such a deal would help provide much-needed flood mitigation for the community while giving the university assurance that it can utilize part of the property for development in the future to serve its public mission.
If you go
CU South community briefing
Friday, Dec. 11, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
With detailed negotiations on an annexation agreement still to come, the city has created multiple channels for community engagement on the topic. Feedback will help inform city council members as they provide guidance to staff in these negotiations.
Engagement opportunities include a community briefing on Friday, Dec. 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., as well as a questionnaire to be launched in the near future on the Be Heard Boulder website. The Dec. 11 community briefing will provide an overview of the work to date and the annexation process, with an opportunity to ask questions. Advance registration is not required.
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 3 p.m., the city is offering the last in a series of drop-in “office hours” designed for a small group of 10 people or less to ask questions of city staff and a CU representative. For this format, sign up is required and needs to be done the day before the event. Later in December, the city is planning a virtual world cafe-style event for more focused discussion. Information on that opportunity will be provided at a later date.
In anticipation of the community engagement that will occur over the next two months, the city, with input from CU Boulder, created a briefing book that outlines the history of the CU Boulder South site and the issues of most importance in the annexation negotiations, including areas where the city and university agree, as well as areas where further consideration is needed.
CU Boulder South is a 308-acre parcel of vacant land at the southern gateway to the city off of Table Mesa Drive and U.S. 36. CU Boulder is seeking, through its annexation application, the longterm ability to develop 129 acres of the site, as well as an additional 30 acres for recreational fields.
The university has offered to donate 80 acres of the property to the city to help with flood mitigation efforts and provide additional open space, and any development at the site will be legally bound by restrictions and standards outlined in the final annexation agreement. While some non-academic buildings may be developed, the university’s main focus for development at the site would be on providing housing for faculty, staff and non-first year students that would help address the housing crunch within the city. Future development of the site would also include recreational opportunities available for use by the community. Possibilities include walking and biking trails, a cross country skiing track, connection to city Open Space, a dog park and recreational fields.
Following the community engagement process in December and January, the anticipated timeline includes an update for Boulder City Council so that they can provide direction to staff on negotiations with the university. Ultimately, the city council would hold two public hearings to make a final decision on the annexation agreement in June or July.
