Dolores Begins First Comprehensive Plan Update Since 1997, Prioritizes Public Input

Dolores launched its first comprehensive plan update since 1997, beginning a roughly yearlong effort to shape the town’s priorities and strengthen its ability to pursue state funding. Town officials say broad public participation will determine how Dolores balances growth, river stewardship, local business support and infrastructure needs.

The launch, held on January 19, set public engagement as the central goal of the process. Town Manager Leigh Reeves said the update will focus on gathering as much community input as possible and may include a consultant or planning partner to design outreach and draft the final document. "It’s honestly the most important part, because you want it to reflect what's important to town members," Reeves said.

A comprehensive plan serves as a long-term guide for municipal decision-making and is required to pursue many state grants, including those through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Such plans typically run 20 to 400 pages and outline community priorities, future projects and investment strategies. For Dolores, officials listed housing, infrastructure, economic development, parks and recreation and flood mitigation as likely focal areas.

Local context will shape how those topics are addressed. The Dolores Community Playground, built in 2020 in Joe Rowell Park along the river trail, remains one of the town’s strongest assets, Reeves noted, and officials said they want the plan to protect the river corridor while supporting tourism and small businesses on Main Street. At the same time, town leaders acknowledged limited municipal resources and the need to pursue outside funding for larger projects.

The town’s outreach will include workshops, surveys and interviews intended to identify community priorities and values. Officials hope a plan reflective of local voices will become a practical tool for pursuing grants and guiding capital investments over the next decade. If a consultant is hired, planning professionals will help structure public events and turn community feedback into policy recommendations and project lists.

For residents, the update could influence housing choices, flood preparedness along the Dolores River, park improvements and economic opportunities tied to tourism. It will also set the framework for grant applications that could fund infrastructure upgrades or recreational investments that the town cannot afford on its own.

Next steps include scheduled outreach and the selection process for any consulting partner, and officials expect the drafting and review process to take about a year. The outcome will determine how Dolores directs limited resources and seeks outside dollars, shaping the town’s course for the coming decade and offering residents a direct say in that future.