Federal Heights Comprehensive Plan

Federal Heights, a compact city covering 1.8 square miles in Colorado’s Front Range, 12 miles northwest of downtown Denver, is more culturally diverse than many other municipalities in the Metro region. With a comprehensive plan more than 20 years old, the City sought help from Cushing Terrell to address key land-use and economic development challenges in an updated plan.

The project needed to address several critical issues, including increasing redevelopment pressures, reliance on sales tax, and high turnover of commercial uses. Cushing Terrell was selected for its experience with comprehensive plan creation and equity-centered community engagement efforts that have successfully engaged Spanish-speaking populations across the state.

The project team researched and analyzed existing conditions, conducted robust community engagement in English and Spanish, and helped communicate the story of Federal Heights to its diverse community. Cushing Terrell recommended a series of short- and long-term strategies to invite attractive redevelopment and mitigate immediate impacts from undesirable land uses. With Bus Rapid Transit along Federal Boulevard planned to be operational in 2029, Cushing Terrell developed strategies to prevent displacement while optimizing opportunities for transit-oriented development. Following completion of this project, Federal Heights has a clear and defendable comprehensive plan and roadmap for achieving the vision set forth by the community.