Jefferson County Planning Commission

The Jefferson County Planning Commission is a citizen-led board that operates within the government of Jefferson County, Colorado. It serves at the county level and primarily functions as an advisory body to the Board of County Commissioners on matters of land use, zoning, and development ^[1], . Under Colorado Revised Statute § 30-28-103, the commission holds the legal mandate to create and adopt the county’s Comprehensive Master Plan and Community Plans ^[2], . The commission consists of up to seven regular members and two associate members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for three-year terms ^[2]. It reviews rezoning requests, subdivision plats, and special use permits presented by the Planning and Zoning Division ^[3], .

Historical Background

The Jefferson County Planning Commission was established under the authority of the Colorado Planning Enabling Act to manage rapid regional growth ^[2], . Historically, the commission has evolved from a small advisory group into a key regulatory body for unincorporated Jefferson County. The Board of County Commissioners oversees its operations and manages appointments, typically conducting new member selections every September ^[2]. A significant administrative update occurred on September 9, 2025, when the county adopted Resolution CC25-225 to formalize commission policies and membership procedures ^[2]. In June 2025, the commission faced public scrutiny after voting to limit public testimony during hearings to 90 minutes per agenda item, citing the need for efficient meeting management ^[5].

Current Events

As of March 2026, the Jefferson County Planning Commission continues to hold hybrid public hearings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month ^[4], . On March 11, 2026, the commission met to review current land use applications and zoning amendments ^[6]. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2026 county budget on November 18, 2025, which funds the Planning and Zoning Division staff who support the commission's work ^[7]. Current 2026 priorities include aligning county land use regulations with new Colorado state requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units and transit-oriented communities ^[8]. The commission is also managing a schedule of public hearings through July 2026 to address various variance and site approval requests ^[1], .