Lochbuie Comprehensive Plan

In 2023, the Town of Lochbuie knew they were on the precipice of big change: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Rail Company was purchasing large parcels of land to the east of town for the development of an 11 million square foot intermodal facility and logistics park. The Town decided it needed to update its comprehensive plan to address the imminent, large-scale land-use changes.

Cushing Terrell was selected for the firm’s experience planning rural and suburban communities in the Front Range of Colorado. Additional differentiators were the team’s equity-focused approaches and experience leading bilingual engagement — especially important given a key component of the effort was a robust community engagement process aimed at Lochbuie’s significant Spanish-speaking population.

Midway through the project in 2024, the BNSF parcels were annexed into the Town, doubling its size overnight and dramatically expanding the scope of the comprehensive plan. Because the project team took a nimble approach, they were able to revisit the draft plan for complementary and supporting uses around the planned facilities. Lochbuie now has a plan in place to prepare for up to 20,000 jobs, 2,700 acres of industrial use, and associated impacts and challenges.

The project team also authored the Lake Henry Conceptual Plan for a 40-acre, Town-owned property featuring a reservoir, active and passive recreation opportunities, community space, and festival grounds.