City Council approves improvements to Denver’s rezoning process
Published on February 03, 2025
Proposal simplifies criteria and boost public engagement
DENVER – The Denver City Council voted tonight to approve a proposal to update how properties are rezoned to make the process more accessible, transparent and equitable. The proposed changes to the Denver Zoning Code are the result of a 2-year public engagement process led by Community Planning and Development with the goal of making it easier for affected neighbors and community members to be notified and participate when there is a change to the rules on how a property is used and what may be built on it.
The text amendment updates the language for the criteria used to evaluate all rezonings to make it clearer and easier to understand, and it standardizes and streamlines how the criteria is applied. It also updates noticing and public engagement requirements to ensure neighbors are aware of the process and how to provide input. The proposal was previously reviewed by the Denver Planning Board on December 4, 2024, and by council’s Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on December 17, 2024.
“Evaluating our rezoning process in a fair manner has been a priority since the adoption of our Comprehensive Plan and Blueprint Denver,” CPD Executive Director Manish Kumar said. “Staff did extensive work with the community and City Council leaders to strengthen this process and ensure rezonings are transparent and reflect adopted plans and the community’s vision.”
Updated rezoning review criteria
The updated rezoning review criteria removes outdated language, increases clarity, and focuses on advancing goals and plan recommendations developed through robust community engagement.
Going forward, a rezoning application will be approved only if it meets the following review criteria:
- The rezoning is consistent with adopted plans.
- The rezoning is in the public interest.
- The rezoning is consistent with the description of the applicable neighborhood context, and with the stated purpose and intent of the proposed zone district.
- If a rezoning is not consistent with adopted plans, City Council may approve it if it meets a community need that was not anticipated at the time applicable city plans were adopted.
Improved community engagement
Public outreach requirements now include the following key updates:
- Notices must include tenants as well as property owners of neighboring properties.
- Property owners seeking to rezone a property are required to provide documentation of public outreach as part of their application.
- Signs that provide notice of a proposed rezoning must be posted earlier in the process.
- Additionally, the city is updating templates for signs and notices. City staff also plans to update how information is provided online about proposed rezonings to make information easier to access and understand. Current rezoning applications are available online at www.DenverGov.org/proposedrezonings.
Advancing Equity in Rezoning kicked off in 2022 as part of CPD’s ongoing efforts to implement key recommendations in Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver. Adopted in 2019, these citywide plans call for integrating equity into planning to achieve their shared vision for inclusive and complete neighborhoods. The project identified and addressed the issues of public awareness of rezonings, how public input is used, the process for rezoning applicants, the criteria use to evaluate rezonings and how to help ensure equitable outcomes. For complete project information visit www.DenverGov.org/equityinrezoning.
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BUILDING COMMUNITY: Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) is responsible for visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building. We're working hard to make Denver a great place to live, work and play! Visit DenverGov.org/CPD, and follow CPD on X @DenverCPD and Instagram at @Denver_Landmark.