Feasibility
To begin the process of acquiring a land use permit, we first assess the feasibility of your project proposal; our intention is to identify potential constraints, financial obligations, and the likelihood of completing a project successfully.
Once you have completed a Feasibility Evaluation and your project proposal has been reviewed by Planning Staff, feedback will be emailed to you. You will receive guidance including the type of land use permit(s) required for your proposal, agencies we recommend you speak with or obtain comments from regarding your proposal, and a brief overview of applicable county code requirements or constraints that may be part of your formal application process.
Once you have completed a Feasibility Evaluation and your project proposal has been reviewed by Planning Staff, feedback will be emailed to you. You will receive guidance including the type of land use permit(s) required for your proposal, agencies we recommend you speak with or obtain comments from regarding your proposal, and a brief overview of applicable county code requirements or constraints that may be part of your formal application process.
Feasibility Review Process
Feasibility Evaluation
To begin the process of acquiring a land use permit, please complete our online Feasibility Evaluation Form. The preferred browser is Google Chrome. The form will ask for specific details regarding your project proposal and will timeout after 2 hours. Please have the following information available and a site plan ready for upload prior to beginning the online form.
- Parcel number – can be located on the county GIS webpage
- Nature of project
- Access information: such as easements, driveway permits, or CDOT access permits.
- Water source and permit number – Well permits can be found at Colorado Division of Water Resources (970) 247-1845
- Sewer service and permit number – Sewer permits can be found at La Plata County Public Health (970) 247-5702
- Land Use Designation – can be found on the county GIS mapping webpage
- Irrigation information
Site Plan Guidance and Requirements:
An aerial view can be found by going to La Plata County GIS. This view can be printed and modified to show the items requested. A site plan should show all existing features and proposed improvements, including:
- parcel boundaries and acreage
- hydrologic features (ditches, swales, streams, ponds, wetlands, floodplain, etc.)
- locations of steep slopes (>30%) or rock outcroppings
- structures
- parking
- storage areas
- water and sanitary sewer facilities
After you have submitted your Feasibility Evaluation you will receive feedback and guidance from Planning staff. Please allow up to two weeks for your proposal to be reviewed; you will receive an email from our staff once review of your proposal is complete.
Agency Comments
After completing your feasibility assessment, you may have been recommended to speak with or obtain comments from some of these agencies regarding your proposal. Please use this Agency Input Form to obtain your agency comments; wait until you have all your agency comments, then submit all comments at one time via our Submit Comments form.
Access/Traffic
Colorado State Lands and Wildlife
Housing, Utilities, and Food Safety
Fire Management
Fire Protection
Mining, Geology & Environmental
Metropolitan Service Districts
Municipalities
Scenic and Viewshed
Sewer
Storm-water, Wetlands, and Weed Management
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Water Supply
Other Agency Studies:
Access/Traffic
- La Plata County Public Works
- Colorado Department of Transportations (CDOT)
- Access Permits
- Regional Transit and Future Land Use Plan 20092030 Transportation Integrated Plan - New "Trip 2040 Plan" is being drafted in conjunction with City of Durango and CDOT
- US 550 Connection to US 160- Supplemental Draft EIS
Colorado State Lands and Wildlife
Housing, Utilities, and Food Safety
- La Plata County Regional Housing Authority - For information on local housing opportunities
- La Plata Electric Association (LPEA)
- Southwest Colorado Access Network - Additional information and resources on regional economics in southwest Colorado
- SJBPH Food Safety
Fire Management
Fire Protection
- Durango Fire Protection District
- Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District
- Los Pinos Fire Protection District
- Upper Pine River Fire Protection District
Mining, Geology & Environmental
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) - 303-692-2000 - Air Pollution Control Division
- Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety - For information on mining and gravel pits
- Colorado Geological Survey - For information on geological hazards
- Colorado State Forest Service - For information on reducing wildfire hazards and managing forests
Metropolitan Service Districts
- Forest Lakes Metropolitan District - For information on public utilities and services provided to the residents of Forest Lakes
- Purgatory Metropolitan District - For information on public utility services for the residents of Durango Mountain Resort
- Durango West Metro District #2 - For information on public utility services for the residents of Durango West #2
Municipalities
Scenic and Viewshed
- Scenic Corridor Map
- Skyline and Viewshed Analysis State Highways
- Skyline and Viewshed Analysis US Highways
Sewer
- San Juan Basin Health Department (SJBPH)
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Regulations
- Water and Sewer Testing Services
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
- Wastewater Treatment
Storm-water, Wetlands, and Weed Management
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
- Construction Stormwater Permits and Stormwater Management Plans
- Mining, Industrial and Commercial Permits
- La Plata County Weed Management
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Water Supply
- Colorado Division of Water Resources (DoWR)
- Groundwater Well Permitting
- Well Construction Regulations
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
- Drinking Water for Public Water Systems
- Beginners Guide to Augmentation
- Synopsis of Colorado Water Law
- Guide to Water Well Permits, Rights and Administration
- Design Criteria for Portable Water Systems
Other Agency Studies: