Weld County adopts rewritten land‑use process ordinance; second reading passes 4–1
March 05, 2026 | Weld County, Colorado
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
On March 4 the Weld County Board of County Commissioners adopted code ordinance 20‑26‑02 on second reading to repeal and reenact portions of the Weld County code related to land use, including chapter 23 (zoning), chapter 24 (subdivisions) and chapter 27 (planned unit development).
Jim Flesher of the Planning Department told commissioners the work session held the previous Monday addressed the ordinance and that staff proposed primarily cleanup changes and one deadline alteration: the deadline for staff review of certain zoning permit applications would change from 90 days to 120 days at the request of applicants, a change staff said it did not oppose.
The chair opened the public hearing for comments on the second reading. A number of commenters present intended to speak about data centers and related infrastructure; planning staff and the chair advised that comments about specific data‑center projects were not germane to this ordinance because the item is a process change rather than approval of any single project. One commenter, Greg Flebe of Sustainable Windsor, said his organization wants to help shape future projects and suggested the county consider an energy action plan to address major new loads if large data centers are proposed.
Commissioner Jason Maxey said he could not support the ordinance because it did not include specific staff‑performance dates he wanted to see codified; other commissioners said the changes were largely procedural cleanup and appropriate for second reading. The board voted by roll call: Buck, Peppler, Ross and James voted yes; Maxey voted no. The motion carried 4–1.
What happens next: The ordinance will become effective pursuant to county rules for adopted code amendments and the Planning Department will proceed under the revised process when reviewing future land‑use applications. Planning staff said separate hearings will be scheduled for land‑use applications (including data centers) where the public may address specific projects.
Clarifying details: ordinance number listed as code ordinance 20‑26‑02; staff noted one substantive change requested by applicants to extend a permit review deadline from 90 to 120 days; the second reading included no further substantive amendments recorded on the hearing record.
Jim Flesher of the Planning Department told commissioners the work session held the previous Monday addressed the ordinance and that staff proposed primarily cleanup changes and one deadline alteration: the deadline for staff review of certain zoning permit applications would change from 90 days to 120 days at the request of applicants, a change staff said it did not oppose.
The chair opened the public hearing for comments on the second reading. A number of commenters present intended to speak about data centers and related infrastructure; planning staff and the chair advised that comments about specific data‑center projects were not germane to this ordinance because the item is a process change rather than approval of any single project. One commenter, Greg Flebe of Sustainable Windsor, said his organization wants to help shape future projects and suggested the county consider an energy action plan to address major new loads if large data centers are proposed.
Commissioner Jason Maxey said he could not support the ordinance because it did not include specific staff‑performance dates he wanted to see codified; other commissioners said the changes were largely procedural cleanup and appropriate for second reading. The board voted by roll call: Buck, Peppler, Ross and James voted yes; Maxey voted no. The motion carried 4–1.
What happens next: The ordinance will become effective pursuant to county rules for adopted code amendments and the Planning Department will proceed under the revised process when reviewing future land‑use applications. Planning staff said separate hearings will be scheduled for land‑use applications (including data centers) where the public may address specific projects.
Clarifying details: ordinance number listed as code ordinance 20‑26‑02; staff noted one substantive change requested by applicants to extend a permit review deadline from 90 to 120 days; the second reading included no further substantive amendments recorded on the hearing record.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
