Plans

Current Projects - February 2026

N Line Future Station Area Planning 

The city is beginning outreach and planning for two Station Area Master Plans (STAMPs) on the north side of Thornton. The plans will prepare for RTD’s eventual expansion of the N Line to the future stations at 144th at York and North Thornton at Highway 7. These plans will consider a broad range of topics and how they inter-relate including land use, transportation and infrastructure, and economic development in order to create a cohesive long-term vision for the Station Areas.

These planning processes will involve community engagement throughout the project to ensure participation from residents and businesses.  A project webpage will be available this March, and the first community engagement activity will occur in April. Find more information on the Station Area Master Plans page. 

Housing Choice Code Amendment

Thornton's City Development Department has kicked off the Housing Choice Code Amendment. This project focuses on exploring the tools available to increase housing choice in the city and meeting local housing goals. Fill out the survey and find more information on the Housing Choice Code Website(opens in new window).

Different Types of Plans

Carpenter Park Lakes and Boathouse Aerial View

Thornton Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan establishes goals, major strategies and key policies for Thornton’s neighborhoods, future jobs, and potential amenities. It also serves as an advisory document for development in the city.
Photograph of First Street and the frontages abutting it in the Eastlake neighborhood of Thornton.

Subarea Plans

Long Range Planning develops subarea plans addressing specific areas in more detail than the Comprehensive Plan, with its "big picture" perspective. These detailed plans often incorporate a vision for future land use, growth and development.
Photograph of Thornton Crossroads Station from the train platform.

Station Area Master Plans

Station Area Master Plans seek to capitalize on the opportunities of the N-Line Commuter Rail and provide a vision and planning framework for future private development and public investment in the areas directly surrounding the transit stations.
Niver Open Space

Functional, Strategic, and Master Plans

Master plans serve as more detailed, functional documents designed to supplement specific topics addressed in the Thornton Comprehensive Plan such as transportation, utilities, or parks and open space.
Miller's Market in the Thornton Shopping Center

Urban Renewal Plans

Urban Renewal Plans promote economic vitality by using tax increment financing to spur redevelopment activities that would otherwise not occur.

Additional Planning Resources

Current Projects
Historic Preservation Planning
Population and Demographics
Current Planning and Zoning