La Plata County experienced significant growth during the 1990s. While the amount of growth has leveled off somewhat in recent years, it is expected to continue, with the State Demographer's Office estimating a County population of approximately 56,000 residents by the year 2010. Long Range Planning Map

In response to the anticipated growth, the County embarked on a comprehensive planning program that established land use plans and/or mission statements for 9 of 10 planning districts in the County. Each district has unique natural and demographic features that sets itself apart from the other districts. The land use plans and development review criteria are intended to provide a framework from which sound land use decisions can be made, supplementing the regulatory features of the County's land use permitting system.

Planning Districts

The map above identifies the 10 planning districts within the County. Clicking on a district area will allow you to obtain and/or view the text of the land use plan or the mission statement for that particular district. The Southeast La Plata Planning District, however, does not have a plan or mission statement.

Each planning district, except Fort Lewis Mesa and Southeast La Plata, has an accompanying land use classification map which graphically depicts the designated land uses for that district. These designations reflect the goals and objectives of each plan as set forth by district residents and the County Planning Commission.

For more information about district plans and maps available with downloading instructions - click here.

You may call the County Planning Department to request hard copies of the land use plans, or purchase maps at a cost of $25.00 each.