Elizabeth approves $50,000 project to plan for water and growth
The grant-funded work will update water-supply planning and analyze where the town could grow, with community engagement and public hearings ahead.
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Elizabeth’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $37,500 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and a $12,500 town match on Oct. 27 to fund updates to the town’s comprehensive plan. The $50,000 project will update water-supply planning and analyze where Elizabeth could grow, including on vacant and underused parcels, the meeting record shows.
Staff described a water-supply update based on current water and sewer information, along with a strategic-growth analysis covering 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year horizons. A housing-needs assessment prepared by the town is intended to inform the growth analysis. Staff said state law requires the work and that it could help prospective businesses identify suitable sites, dependable water supplies and the town’s land-use plans, according to the grant materials.
The grant covers planning, not construction. The work will not itself adopt either plan element, rezone property or change town regulations. The elements will go through the town’s public adoption process, including hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees. The grant agreement also requires community engagement.
The town’s application proposed online surveys, a comment map, mailed feedback options, targeted open houses and outreach at community gatherings, senior luncheons, library events and American Legion meetings.
The town submitted its application on Aug. 17, and the state issued its award letter on Oct. 8. The grant agreement runs through Jan. 31, 2028.