Zoning Code Consultant

The City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado is requesting proposals for a qualified consultant team to conduct a comprehensive zoning code analysis and provide technical support drafting and adopting code amendments, with proposals due September 3, 2026. The project is funded through a combination of city and federal grant funds—the Colorado Energy Office Local Impact Accelerator Grant via the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant—and requires demonstrated capability to manage federal grant compliance, reporting, and billing procedures.

The scope includes reviewing the city's existing zoning code; identifying areas for improvement aligned with the City Plan, Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan, and Sustainability Plan; developing draft amendments focused on removing regulatory barriers related to attached housing, multi-family development, and mixed-use development near transit and commercial corridors; facilitating stakeholder engagement; and supporting adoption through public hearings and city council presentations. The consultant team must coordinate closely with city staff throughout the project to ensure deliverables align with federal grant milestones and requirements.

Key grant-driven timelines include completion of a comprehensive zoning code analysis by February 2027 (Phase 1, funded at $160,000 for Tasks 1–3) and zoning code amendments for attached housing and multi-family/mixed-use development by March 2028 (Phase 2, funded at $2.48 million pending approval of a Task Continuation Work Request). The grant agreement runs through July 31, 2029. Monthly progress reports are due by the 15th of each month; a final project report is due within 45 days of agreement expiration.

The contract will include automatic annual renewal if work remains incomplete, with pricing firm for one year and subsequent increases capped at 10 percent. Either party may terminate for cause with fifteen days' notice; the city may terminate for convenience with thirty days' notice. The contractor must obtain prior approval for required insurance (worker's compensation, employer liability, commercial general liability, comprehensive automotive liability) with the city named as additional insured. All work products become sole property of the city.