PLAN ELEMENTS:

At a minimum, the Comprehensive Plan should address the following elements:

Citizen Participation The planning process shall be designed to maximize public involvement and participation. The consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive public outreach strategy that is inclusive, creative, and interactive, and that solicits meaningful input from a diverse range of community members.

Demographics and Socioeconomics The Plan should analyze current conditions and future projections related to population, housing, employment, and other socioeconomic factors, and evaluate their implications for land use, infrastructure, and public services. The consultant shall utilize current, accurate, and reliable data to support policy recommendations.

Existing Land Use The Plan shall include both visual and narrative descriptions of existing land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural development that has occurred since adoption of the 2000 Comprehensive Plan.

Future Land Use The Plan shall include a future land use map and supporting policies for areas both inside and outside current municipal boundaries. A land use capacity analysis should be completed to guide future growth, redevelopment, and preservation decisions.

Community Character and Rural DesignThe Plan shall establish policies addressing community gateways, overall county image, integration of major roadway corridors, and protection of the County's rural and agricultural character.

Housing While a Housing Needs Assessment will be completed under a separate project, the Comprehensive Plan should provide policy guidance regarding housing types, affordability, diversity, and density in both unincorporated areas and incorporated cities and towns.

Transportation The Plan shall evaluate the County's existing transportation system—including vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle, freight facilities—and its integration within regional and statewide transportation networks.

Economic Development The Plan shall include policies and strategies aimed at supporting existing businesses, encouraging economic diversification, and strengthening long-term economic resilience.

Parks, Recreation, Open Space The Plan shall address parks, recreational assets, and open spaces, including connectivity, access, and opportunities to enhance community quality of life.

Environment The Plan shall address the land, soil composition, vegetation, water resources and hazards, air quality, wildlife, environmental resources and hazards plans. Hopefully to give an understanding of areas of where people want to life, and learning what we could be impacting.

Public Facilities and Utilities The Plan shall address public facilities and infrastructure, including public safety, utilities, and essential services. Consideration should be given to water, wastewater/septic, stormwater, electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and related infrastructure. A separate Water Supply Element will be completed under another project.

Annexation The Plan shall articulate County policy regarding annexation and include supporting goals and guiding principles.

CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS:

Yuma County is seeking consultant teams with the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience preparing comprehensive plans or similar long-range planning documents
• Experience designing and facilitating public engagement processes
• Familiarity with rural and agricultural communities
• Experience working in Yuma County or with nearby or comparable counties is preferred

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Consultants interested in this project shall submit the following:

1. Team Qualifications – Brief biographies or résumés of key staff assigned to the project
2. Project Approach – A concise description of the consultant's approach to preparing a comprehensive plan for a rural, agricultural county
3. Relevant Experience – Description of similar projects and the team's familiarity with working in or near Yuma County, including experience engaging rural communities
4. Submissions shall not exceed ten (10) pages and should consist of simple, clearly organized documents. Marketing materials, brochures, and elaborate presentation formats will not be considered.
5. Output document does not need to be brochure type documents.
6. Please provide a ballpark figure of cost and timeline for completion.

Submissions shall be emailed to:

Jodi Brady
Yuma County Land Use Administrator
jbrady@yumacountyco.gov

Submission Deadline: May 7, 2026

REVIEW PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

Submissions will be evaluated by the Yuma County Land Use Administrator and members of the Yuma County Planning Commission. Selected firms may be invited for interviews.

Anticipated Schedule:

• RFQ Submission Deadline: May 7, 2026, by 5:00 PM
• Proposal Review: May 11 – May 15, 2026
• Consultant Selection: May 18 – May 22, 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jodi Brady
Yuma County Land Use Administrator
310 Ash Street, Suite J
Wray, CO 80758
970-332-0930
jbrady@yumacountyco.gov