The University of Colorado Boulder continues to seek an annexation agreement with Boulder that will support the development of housing on 129 acres at CU Boulder South for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff – while also supporting the city’s flood mitigation efforts. This spring, university and city officials are discussing various scenarios for a successful annexation agreement. Until then, CU Boulder remains committed to working collaboratively with the city to arrive at an agreement that will support our academic and research missions as the state’s flagship public research university.

History and Updates

CU Boulder owns a 308-acre parcel of land southwest of Table Mesa called CU Boulder South.

This week, university and city officials met at a Boulder City Council study session to discuss possible annexation terms, flood mitigation options and costs and related issues.

The university is asking the city to annex the land to enable CU Boulder to develop clustered, village-style housing no higher than 55 feet for upper-division students, faculty and staff on 129 acres and an additional 30 acres for community playing fields.

The university has committed to designing buildings to protect and complement the city’s mountain views and to modeling future resiliency and sustainability. It would not build large sports venues, high-rise buildings or large research complexes on the property.

In exchange, the university has offered to donate 80 acres worth an estimated $18 million for the city’s flood mitigation efforts and will keep the site open to residents who want to continue to bike, cross-country ski and hike in the area and enhance trail connections. In addition, CU Boulder would seek opportunities to protect the scenic and natural value of undeveloped areas.

CU Boulder would also create a multimodal hub and performance-based transportation standards.

The university asks only that the city allow it to develop 129 acres intact and keep an additional 30 acres for community recreation fields; allow it to connect to city utilities, roads and multiuse paths; and agree to create multiple entries into the property.

The 129 acres were marked as public for future development by the university based on a negotiation between CU Boulder and the region’s four voting bodies under the 2015 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The entire property is outside the 500-year floodplain, which is less than 50% of the 308 acres owned by the university.

CU Boulder has recommended the city not pursue a suggested land swap for city-owned land north of Boulder as that land is not eligible for annexation under the BVCP and would require significant work and time to make it so. CU Boulder would require that any proposed land for a swap be annexed at the same time the university would convey CU Boulder South to the city, which effectively eliminates this option.

The university is committed to working on this negotiation process with the city as a willing partner and seeks an annexation solution that helps both the city’s flood mitigation efforts while enabling CU Boulder to fulfill its mission as the state’s flagship higher education institution.

Learn more about CU Boulder South on the city’s website.

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