Colorado

Placemaking is Alive and Well in Denver

Simmons Buntin tours metropolitan Denver with local planner Carolyn Dooling and finds a host of vibrant developments.

August 5, 2008 - The Next American City

A Portrait of New Urbanism

Terrain.org profiles Bradburn Village, a successful New Urbanist project in Westminster, Colorado. As one resident puts it, 'Bradburn is designed around community.'

July 25, 2008 - Terrain.org

FasTrak Toll Hacking: Dangerous Or Ridiculous?

A "Black Hat security researcher" claims he has discovered security flaws in the FasTrak toll transponder used by drivers in California and Colorado. However, the story is quickly dismantled as "baloney" by a toll road industry insider.

July 14, 2008 - Toll Roads News

Easements in the Spotlight, As Colorado Forests Go Residential

As logging declines in Colorado forests, developers are preparing to build in pockets wedged in-between parkland. The proper use of historic easements is at the center of the debate.

June 9, 2008 - High Country News

Debunking The Myths About TOD

Responding to critics of Denver's planned TOD developments, TOD expert John Renne responds to four common misconceptions about transit-oriented development.

May 19, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Planners Not Wanted

One of the top political bloggers in Colorado expounds against the planning profession. He lays blame for most cities' ills at their feet.

May 7, 2008 - The Wash Park Prophet

Areas of Stability and Change

Two new classifications of land in Denver -- areas of change and areas of stability -- are moving the city's redevelopment and densification plans forward.

May 5, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Downzoning In Denver

Blueprint Denver, the city's comprehensive plan, calls for preserving single-family neighborhoods. But the recent move by the city council to reduce the allowed density in two communities has some residents and developers unhappy.

May 1, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Why Metro Denver is Desirable

In this article, researcher Richard Florida looks at why and how the Denver area became a "megaregion" and a highly-desirable place to live.

March 27, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Tight Resources Hurt Denver's Historic Preservation

Denver is not providing enough resources to undertake historic preservation efforts, according to this open letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper.

March 13, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Transit Agency's Eminent Domain Under Fire

The use of eminent domain by the Denver-area Regional Transportation District is coming under increasing scrutiny from homeowners and public officials.

February 21, 2008 - The Denver Post

Conservation Easements Abused in Colorado

Conservation easements in Colorado are being used to protect valuable home sites and areas earmarked for oil and gas exploration and development, not the open spaces the easements were designed to preserve.

February 13, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

Eminent Domain Limits May Stifle Denver Transit

Eminent domain usage by the Denver area transit authority may be severely limited by a law that specifies land seizures be made only for "public transit purposes". This may prevent takings for such uses as parking lots and TOD.

February 9, 2008 - The Denver Post

Downtown Denver Redevelops

The redevelopment of the original center of Denver has brought a boom of new residents to the formerly avoided downtown area.

February 4, 2008 - Arch News Now

Transit Agency Needs To Keep Its Focus On Transit

This editorial from the Rocky Mountain News expresses the concerns of many in Denver who worry that the region's transportation district is focusing too much on redevelopment.

December 17, 2007 - The Rocky Mountain News

States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan

The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.

December 10, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

TOD Should Not Be Transit Agency's Business

This editorial from the Rocky Mountain News argues that the Denver-area Regional Transportation District needs to stay true to its promise that it will not use eminent domain to acquire land for transit oriented development.

December 5, 2007 - The Rocky Mountain News

Your Land Is Now My Land: The Doctrine of Adverse Possession

Squatters' rights dispute in Colorado causes public outrage.

December 4, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

TOD Dreams Must Overcome Zoning

A light rail line planned to run in the Colorado city of Aurora has many city officials and developers itching to build some high-density, mixed-use, walkable urban development. The only problem is the city's zoning ordinance forbids it.

November 27, 2007 - The Aurora Sentinel

Eminent Domain Evoked As Landowner Demands Market Rate

A landowner who insisted on selling his property to a local municipality at the market rate had his land seized through eminent domain. Many are calling for a condemnation of the city's action.

November 25, 2007 - The Denver Post

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.