What is a Strategic Plan?
Walsenburg's strategic plan is documented in its Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in 2015 and serves as a long-term guide for growth, development, and quality of life. The plan outlines goals for land use, economic development, housing, transportation, and infrastructure, and is supported by additional reports, like the Economic Development Strategy, which help guide specific actions.
Key Components
- Vision and goals: Establishes a 20-year vision and lays the groundwork for future projects to achieve community goals.
- Land use and annexation: Guides future growth through annexation policies, promoting development on existing land and strategic annexations to control growth and protect the tax base.
- Economic development: Focuses on targeted industries, community assets, and improving quality of life to support business growth and a resilient local economy.
- Housing: Includes plans to address housing needs and affordability through various strategies and cooperative projects with Huerfano County.
- Infrastructure: Addresses current and long-term needs for water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation, including planning for multimodal transportation.
- Recreation and tourism: Outlines goals for improving recreational facilities and opportunities within the community.
Why is it important?
- Provides direction: It gives a clear and unified direction for the entire organization.
- Aligns efforts: It ensures everyone is working toward the same goals, which helps in prioritizing resources.
- Manages change: It allows an organization to be more adaptable in response to market changes and opportunities.
- Drives accountability: It defines success criteria and helps hold individuals and teams accountable for their contributions.
Current and recent activities
- The city council approved evaluations in 2016 to support the development of a strategy for economic and quality-of-life improvements.
- A request for proposals (RFP) was issued in July 2024 to assist in updating the comprehensive plan, including integrating required planning elements and potentially updating the land use code.
- The city continues to support initiatives like the Facade Improvement Program to revitalize downtown businesses.