Current Training Oppourtunities
DRCOG Commisioners Workshop, Sat, Aug 7, Denver, 8:30 - 3pm
At this all-day event, there will be:
A plenary session on the new federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities among the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Workshop sessions for new commissioners, and on regional planning and public health and planning.  Register now!

Planning Commission Education Program

Planning Commissioner Training

APA Colorado Planning Commissioner Training consists of a series of modules that a local jurisdiction can choose from on varying topics. Each module, approximately 90 minutes in length, can be presented by either your staff or an APA Colorado speaker. It is an affordable way to bring the highest quality planning commissioner training available directly to your jurisdiction.

• Cost
  $75 Per Individual Module
  $150 Module with Speaker

• For that price APA Colorado will provide: CD-Roms and speakers notes, hand-outs, and if requested, a speaker.

The jurisdiction will provide: meeting Space, laptop and/or projector if required, send invitations to area planning commissioners, provide lunch/ breaks (if applicable), set fees/collect funds (if desired), and find sponsors (if desired). APA Colorado encourages multiple jurisdictions to participate in training, in order to foster better intergovernmental relations.

The jurisdiction can choose just one topic for a brown-bag-lunch training or choose several topics for a day-long event. Topics to choose from are:

• Roles and Responsibilities of Planning Commissioners
• Planning Fundamentals/History
• Introduction to Plans and Implementation
• Growth Management
• Natural Resource Conservation Planning
• Housing
• Transportation, Infrastructure, Utilities
• Water Law
• Current Legal Issues in Planning

If you are interested in additional information, or if you would like to utilize APA Colorado's Planning Commissioner Training modules, please contact our office by email or (303) 918-6771

Brochure

Training Modules Topics

Roles and Responsibilities of Planning Commissioners: This course will review the role and responsibility of the planning commissioner including how to avoid conflicts of interest and how to conduct public hearings. An overview of terms and land use regulatory tools will also be provided.

Planning Fundamentals/History: This is a brief look at the history of urban form, historical events, decisions, and the evolution of planning in the United States. How did we get to where we are? What is the urbanism and new urbanism based on? What are the legal decisions that laid the foundation for planning? What is the historical, social, and political base for planning?

Introduction to Plans and Implementation: What is a plan? This course will discuss various types of plans, how they relate to one another, and how local government turns vision into action.

Growth Management: Across Colorado, communities are seeking ways to mitigate the negative impacts of new growth and development. This course covers a variety of growth management tools including comprehensive plans, transfer of development rights programs, impact fees, rural clustering incentives, mixed use zoning, intergovernmental agreements, open space preservation programs, and urban growth boundaries.

Natural Resource Conservation Planning: Communities value open space for wildlife habitat protection, its positive impact on property values and its natural beauty. This course will explore ways to protect various types of open space through land use regulation, restricted use agreements, and acquisition.

Housing: This module deals with many of the common questions associated with affordable housing and housing in general. Topics include: What is "affordable?" How do you know your community needs affordable housing? What are the potential benefits and costs? What is the "jobs-housing balance?" And finally... Location - where does it fit in?

Transportation, Infrastructure, Utilities: This module deals with the support structures for urban development, which are commonly referred to as "infrastructure." While planning such systems is often out of sight, planning commissioners should be knowledgeable about the major steps needed to provide such services.

Water Law: After presenting a background of the legal and administrative authority governing water use in Colorado, this module focuses on providing a detailed understanding of the statutory means under which elected and appointed boards may consider water supply issues in the context of land use planning decisions.

Current Legal Issues in Planning: Planning law continues to evolve. This course will present relevant and timely information to aid planning commissioners in their decisions.