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Why Here? Why Now?
In September 2021, Boulder City Council annexed Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South, a 308-acre property the university has owned since 1996. The annexation agreement reflects years of public input from Boulder residents and codifies numerous values shared by the university and the community. In 2022, Boulder residents voiced their support by voting to uphold the annexation agreement.
Following the university’s purchase of the property, engineering studies revealed that, due to the property’s location along South Boulder Creek, it is the most feasible site for flood protection measures that will safeguard 2,300 downstream residents and hundreds of structures. As extreme weather events become more frequent due to the effects of climate change, building this flood protection is critical to protecting people and property from the level of harm and destruction that devastated the area in 2013.Ìý
Thanks to the 2021 annexation, the city of Boulder plans to begin construction of the flood protection project in October 2026, with construction expected to last three to five years.
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South Next StepsÌý
- City to break ground on flood protection:ÌýThe City of Boulder that it intends to break ground on the flood protection project at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South in September 2026. Construction is expected to last three to five years.ÌýÌý
- Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder site planning:ÌýÂ鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder site planning for the developable portion of the site has not yet begun.ÌýWhen it does, engaging students, faculty, staff and the community will be a priority.
- Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder construction:ÌýUniversity development cannot begin until after the city’s flood project is completed, meaning the soonest construction could begin is likely 2030.
- Visit the city's project webpage at for updates on the flood project.
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Shared Values, Binding Commitments
The Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South Annexation Agreement, which is both contractual and legislative in nature, is a legal document that explicitly sets the requirements and conditions for the transfer of 155 acres of land at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South to the city for flood protection and dedication of permanent open space. The agreement also guarantees continued access and use of the property by the public, which has been permitted since the university opened the property to the public after purchasing it in 1996.
In addition to maintaining public access, the agreement addresses one of Boulder’s most pressing challenges: housing. A portion of the annexed acreage will provide housing for faculty, staff, graduate and non-freshmen students so members of the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcommunity can reside where they work and learn. This will reduce emissions and traffic congestion from in-commuting.
The annexation agreement reflects the concerns and priorities of Boulder residents and elected leaders, and it codifies the university’s commitment to upholding our shared values: vital flood protection for our neighbors, critically needed housing and preservation of open space and natural habitats.Ìý
What's in the Annexation Agreement?
TheÌýbinding commitments codified in the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder South Annexation AgreementÌýprovide an explicit assurance to the community on the type of development that can be expected on the site in the future:
University’s commitment to the transfer of 155 acres to the city for flood protection and open space.Ìý
Preservation of 119 acres overall as permanent open spaceÌý
Provision of continued public access for recreational uses, including parks, trails and fieldsÌý
Designation of five acres for affordable housing open to community members who qualify based on income levelÌý
Responsible creation of university employee and non-first year student housingÌý
Protection of valuable wetlands and natural habitatsÌý
Limit on future development to 129 acres of the 308-acre parcelÌý
Restrictions controlling density, height and massing of future buildingsÌý
Installation of performance-based transportation plans and trip caps to limit future traffic
