city of Thornton pond

​Long Range Planning​​

Thornton is a fast growing city — one that will continue to expand northward in the decades to come. With this growth comes the responsibility for careful planning. Thornton's Long Range Planning Division, in concert with the City Council and citizens of Thornton, oversees this long range planning. Prior to 2023, this division was known as the Policy Planning Division.

Eastlake Planning Projects

The city recently completed the Eastlake Streetscape Conceptual Plan. Please click on the project link for more information.

Thornton Historic Preservation Plan 

Please check the Historic Preservation Plan page for updates.

2020 Thornton Comprehensive Plan
2012 Thornton Comprehensive Plan​​Master & Strategic Plans       Thornton Area Plans       
         North Metro Rail Station Area Plans      Thornton Pattern Book          Natural Hazard Plan              Population & Demographics     
        Metropolitan Districts            Community Wellness             Thornton Sustainability            Historic Recognition

About the Long Range Planning Division (formerly known as the Policy Planning Division)

Thornton's Long Range Planning Division works on issues to ensure that growth meets the needs and vision of the community. Specifically, Long Range Planning is involved in the following:

  • Amending, updating and implementing the Thornton Comprehensive Plan and associated plans to ensure the well-planned growth of the city. Long Range Planning evaluates development plans for consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and associated Master Plans and Area Plans.

  • Preparing special studies and long range planning documents including Master Plans and Subarea Plans for the City of Thornton, such as Station Area Master Plans, the Eastlake Subarea Plan, and the North Washington Subarea Plan.

  • Providing a resource for historic preservation in Thornton, the Historic Recognition Ordinance, as well as coordinating the development of a Historic Preservation Plan.

  • Providing analysis on regional and intergovernmental issues, and new legislation. Long Range Planning represents the City on a variety of committees dealing with these matters.

  • Developing and maintaining an extensive statistical database for the city including analyzing census data, inventorying the existing building stock, tracking new development, developing population estimates and identifying growth trends.

  • Implementing a number of measures to increase the efficiency of its facilities and systems through Thornton Sustainability (www.thorntonsustainability.com).