SCOPE OF SERVICES:

Overview

This Request for Qualifications seeks to establish a partnership with a highly qualified consultant to prepare a Housing Needs Assessment Update for Yuma County, as well as creating an original Water Supply Element document. Both documents should articulate a clear vision for the County, directed around unincorporated Yuma County, and always preserve of the County's rural character.

County staff will work with the selected consultant to finalize the project scope prior to contract authorization. Consultants are encouraged to recommend additional approaches, tools, or elements they believe would add value and result in a stronger, more effective Housing Needs Assessment and Water Supply Element.

The Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) at a County level should entail evaluation of housing stock, demographic trends, demand, affordability gaps, and identification of displacement risks, as well as opportunities to assist some of the incorporated cities and towns or unincorporated towns within the County.

The Water Supply Element, at a County level, should identify of adequate, sustainable water supplies to meet future growth demands, including water conservation policies and alternatives to "buy and dry" strategies.

Proposals should include a preliminary project schedule. The anticipated project duration is approximately six (6) to twelve (12) months.

HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT:

At a minimum, the Housing Needs Assessment should address the following elements:

Demographic & Economic Analysis: Evaluation of population growth, income levels, age, household size, and employment trends.

Housing Inventory & Market Conditions: Review of existing housing stock, including ownership vs. rental rates, age of units, and vacancy rates.

Gap Analysis & Affordability: Identification of the mismatch between housing costs and income (AMI) for various populations, including workforce and seniors.

Community Engagement: Robust stakeholder engagement, including public input, surveys, and meetings with local officials and developers.

Actionable Recommendations: Development of policy tools, zoning improvements, and strategies for increased housing production.

WATER SUPPLY ELEMENT:

At a minimum, the Water Supply Element should address the following elements

Water Supply Assessment: Evaluate existing water rights, infrastructure, and future water supply needs to support growth, particularly for rural areas.

Water Conservation & Drought Planning: Develop policies, water conservation plans, and drought contingency measures.

Regulatory Compliance & Modeling: Ensure compliance with state and local water quality standards (e.g., wastewater treatment, water quality data review).

Strategic Growth Alignment: Integrate water planning with land-use policies and comprehensive plans.

Capital Improvement Planning: Prepare asset inventories and capital improvement plans for water infrastructure.

CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS:

Yuma County is seeking consultant teams with the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience preparing Housing Needs Assessments or similar long-range planning documents
• Demonstrated experience preparing Water Supply Elements
• 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 of key staff assigned to the project
2. Project Approach – A concise description of the consultant's approach to preparing a Housing Needs Assessment for a rural, agricultural county
3. Project Approach – A concise description of the consultant's approach to preparing a Water Supply Element for a rural, agricultural county
4. Relevant Experience – Description of similar projects and the team's familiarity with working in or near Yuma County, including experience engaging rural communities
5. 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.
6. Output document does not need to be all fancy brochure type documents.
7. Please provide a ball park 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 15, 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 14, 2026, by 5:00 PM
• Proposal Review: May 15 – May 22, 2026
• Consultant Selection: May 22 – May 29, 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jodi Brady
Yuma County Land Use Administrator
310 Ash Street, Suite J
Wray, CO 80758