HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240273.tiffJanuary 11, 2024
Weld County Board of Commissioners
Attn: Karla Ford, Office Manager
1150 O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Good morning:
RECEIVED
JAN 18 2024
WELD COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Enclosed is an attested copy of the recently adopted and approved Comprehensive Plan
Update and Three -Mile Plan for the Town of Milliken. We are providing this in compliance with
Colorado Revised Statute 31-23-308.
Sincerely,
J eppeic . Kcceenafia .
Pepper McClenahan, AICP
Community Development Director
Cs: Cheryl Powell, Town Administrator
Caree Rinebarger, Town Clerk
Matthew Gould, Milliken Town Attorney
Town Hall 11 1 Broad St., Drawer 290 Meliken, CO 80543 (910) 587-4331 Fasc: (970) 587-2678
Co MMyn;Co. -ans cc:pl.(FR/µN/KR/Mw)
2024-0273
02/O5/2 f 02/.1424
P LOO�7 3
MILLIKEN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND THREE MILE PLAN
Approved and adopted b,- the Milliken Planning Commission on December 20, 2023.
Michael Orcutt, Chairman
Attested and Certified to the Weld County Board of Commissioners:
Citt-ed 0/
Caree Rinebarger, Town Cl
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MILLIKEN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND THREE MILE PLAN
Approved and adopt the Milliken Planning Commission on December 20, 2023.
Michael Orcutt, Chairman
Attested and Certified to the Milliken Board of Trustees:
CethAL_
Cane Rinebarger, Town C
ACKNOWLEDEGMENTS
Town Board of Trustees Steering Committee
Mayor Elizabeth Austin
Mayor Pro -Tern LeRon Ehrlich
Trustee Heather Beckman
Trustee Dan Dean
Trustee Brian Lane
Trustee Linda Measner
Trustee Peggy Wakeman
Planning Commission
Michael Orcutt, Chairman
Kayleigh Weickum, Vice Chair
Ron Blackmer
James Baugh
Laurel Engelbert
Randy Helzer
Mitch Portella
Bernadette Stephenson
Town Staff
Cheryl Powell, Town Administrator
Caree Rinebarger, Town Clerk
Pepper McClenahan, Community Development Director
Jon Rabas, Streets and Facilities Director
Keith Staff, Parks and Open Space Director
Don Stonebrink, Water/Wastewater Director
Kevin Garrett
Michael Orcutt
Kayleigh Weickum
James Baugh
Ron Blackmer
Laurel Engelbert
Bruce Gray
Randy Helzer
Mitch Portella
Bernadette Stephenson
Scott Nielson
Karen Trusler
Dan Dean
Rick (Rakesh) Chumber
John Vega
Consultant Team
Prepared by Houseal Lavigne, with assistance
provided byJR Engineering.
LAVIGNE �r
JR ENGINEERING
Photo Credit
All photos are courtesy of the
Town of Milliken unless otherwise noted.
A special thanks to all the citizens of the Town of Milliken for their input during
the process and to DOLA for their support!
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. COMMUNITY PROFILE
3. LAND USE AND THREE-MILE PLAN
4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
5. HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
6. TRANSPORTATION
7. INFRASTRUCTURE
8. COMMUNITY FACILITIES
9. CULTURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
10. IMPLEMENTATION
1
7
21
33
45
63
77
89
105
115
NTRODUCT
ON
In 2022, the Town of Milliken began the process of updating its Comprehensive
Plan. The Milliken Comprehensive Plan Update serves as a foundation for decision
making and will help the Town implement the community's vision - maintaining
a unique rural and small-town setting in Northern Colorado. The Town's previous
comprehensive plan was adopted in 2016. Reflecting the immense growth along
the Front Range Corridor and throughout the region, Milliken chose to update its
plan to ensure that Town staff and elected and appointed officials have a strong
foundation and guidance to lead the community into the years to come.
1
r
A COMMUNITY VISION FOR MIWKEN
The Town of Milliken is populated by passionate residents who
wont the best for their community, embracing a small-town feel
.�.that mingles urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles within the rapidly
growing Front Range Region. Over the coming decades, the Town
will leverage its locational and natural assets, continuing to build
its reputation as a welcoming place to live, visit, and invest. The
Town will be known as a friendly and safe community, with high -
quality neighborhoods, a robust local economy, good regional
connectivity, and high -quality services and facilities.
-"‘"4:0-strytt--\\*-P17,-.4
•
1.Y.Y.M..Yy .1_l"'f"b.,.1af ... ..
tritiottuterion l Miili'ker Cotn rrehersive Plan:
t:
Regional Setting
Milliken is a predominately agricultural and
residential Town, with a population of 8,493
in 2020 based on the latest available data
from the Colorado Department of Local
Affairs (DOLA). Located in Weld County, the
Town is positioned 29 miles southeast of
Fort Collins and 42 miles north of Denver.
The Town is surrounded by agricultural and
residential communities including Johnstown
to the west, Platteville to the south, Gilcrest
to the east, and Mead to the southwest. To
the northeast is Greeley, the county seat, and
most populous municipality in Weld County.
Milliken is near several major transportation
routes, including Colorado State Highway 257
running north and south on the west side of
Town, Colorado State Highway 60 crossing
east to west through the Town, Interstate 25
to the west, Colorado State Highway 66 to the
soutn, and U.S. Route 85 to the southeast.
Additionally, the Big and Little Thompson
Rivers run through the northern half of
Milliken, while the South Platte River runs
through the southern edge.
The municipal boundaries of Milliken are
Weld County Road 52 to the north, 65th
Avenue to the east, Weld County Road 36 to
the south, and Weld County Road 19 to the
west. According to U.S. Census data, Milliken
has a total area of 12.90 square miles.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Introduction
TOWN OF
MILLIKEN
P
•w,.„•7
Ule
IL
MAI"r
5
3
Purpose of the Comprehensive
Plan Update
The Comprehensive Plan Update provides policy guidance
to property owners, citizens, and elected and appointed
officials on a wide range of issues in the form of specific
goals, policies, and recommended actions that will help
the community implement its vision. It is a tool for the
community to help coordinate efforts and direct how the
Town may use its resources. Because conditions change
over time, it will be necessary for Milliken to revisit the
Comprehensive Plan Update periodically and update it as
needed.
WHAT IS A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?
A Comprehensive Plan represents the Town's official vision
for the future and is intended to guide the Town's growth
and evolution for the next 10-20 years. The Comprehensive
Plan Update is not a regulatory document. It is to be
used as a policy guide that outlines actions to work
towards achieving the Town's vision. It is designed to be
broad in nature, addressing issues relating to land use,
growth, housing, economic development, transportation,
community facilities, sustainability, and, in Colorado,
tourism - as well as other topics, as relevant.
....gaff ` .CT -
4 Introduction I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Planning Process
To adequately guide the Town for the next 10-20 years,
the Milliken Comprehensive Plan Update is the product
of a community -driven planning process that included
engagement with residents, business owners, local officials,
Town staff, service providers, and other community
stakeholders. The Milliken Comprehensive Plan Update
followed a six -step planning process.
Step 1: Project Initiation
During project initiation, the project team conducted
workshops with the Planning Commission, Town Board
of Trustees, and the Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee (CPSC). Existing conditions analysis field work
commenced.
Step 2: Community Engagement
and Public Process
Community engagement began with the project website
launch and other methods of online engagement,
including an online community questionnaire, and
the initiation of map.social, an interactive platform
that allowed residents to share opportunities and
improvements in the community. Key stakeholder
interviews were conducted as an initial data -gathering
and community engagement exercise. Outreach and
engagement activities are summarized in the Community
Profile section of the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Step 3: Existing Conditions Analysis
The existing conditions analysis included an inventory of
land use gathered through field reconnaissance conducted
by the Project Team, identified key thorougnfares and
community facilities, and provided a demographic profile.
An Existing Conditions Memorandum was prepared to
encapsulate this preliminary effort, to present issues and
opportunities identified in outreach, and to summarize
past plans and studies.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Introduction
Step 4: Vision, Goals, and Preliminary
Land Use Element
Development of the Vision, Goals, and Preliminary Land
Use Element (including the Three -Mile Plan) was rooted
in the work conducted during the first three steps as well.
Step 4 included two community -wide outreach events: a
business -focused community workshop and a commu-
nity visioning workshop. The Vision, Goals, and Prelim-
inary Land Use Element serve as the "cornerstone" of
the consensus -building process and provided focus and
direction for subsequent planning activities.
Step 5: Draft Plan Elements
Step 5 entailec the preparation of draft plan elements,
including sections focused on housing and neighbor-
hoods, economic development, transportation, infra-
structure, community facilities, and cultural resources and
tourism.
Step 6: Draft and Final
Comprehensive Plan Update
Basea on the previous tasks in the planning process, the
draft version of the Comprehensive Plan Update was
prepared and presented for review. Review included a
CPSC working session, a community open house, and
submittal of a final Draft Comprehensive Plan Update that
was reviewed and adopted during a public hearing.
Existing Conditions
Memorandum
Steps 1- 3 culminated in the preparation
of an Existing Conditions Memorandum
(ECM). This document collected existing
land use and transportation data, recent
past plans and studies, information
provided by the Town, and field
reconnaissance. The ECM included a
demographic snapshot, market overview,
and summary of existing conditions
within the Town's planning area.
•
COMMUN
PROFILE
TY
Prior to the composition of the Comprehensive Plan Update, extensive research
was undertaken to create a profile of the current state of Milliken, and to collect
information about the community's goals and aspirations. This process included
community outreach events, stakeholder interviews, in -field visits, and online
engagement to develop an understanding of the community.
7
DEMOGRAPHIC
SNAPSHOT
This section summarizes the characteristics of the Town's
current population and local economy. Data sources
include DOLA for population, age, race, housing, educa-
tion, and income topics, although, U.S. Census data was
used in instances where DOLA information was not avail-
able.
Milliken is in a growing region as Colorado and Weld
County have experienced growth in population and
housing units over the last three decades. Based on the
30 -year trends represented in the demographic anal-
ysis below, the Milliken Comprehensive Plan will aim to
address the rapid growth's impact on the community.
Population
Milliken experienced rapid population growth from
1995 to 2005 and outpaced the growth rate in Weld
County and Colorado from 2015 to 2020. Milliken's
proximity to the 1-25 and Highway 85 corridors, and to
Greeley, Weld County's most populous municipality,
ensures it will continue to be impacted by a portion of
the County's growth.
Over the five-year period from 2015 to 2020 (the latest d2ta
available), the Town grew by 2,086 people, a 33% increase.
Furthermore, Milliken has experienced a 51% population
growth over the past 10 years of available data (2010-2020).
700,000
600.000
tz 500,000
O
400.000
q 300,000
Percent of Population
Population Forecast
Weld County (2000-2050)
625,000 .
540.000 . S���
425,000 • 4, t
. s—
•
.r
331,184
254;23O
183,076
200,000 131,821
100,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
c 5,000
q 4,000
a 3,000
2,000
1,000
0
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Year
�•a Weld County - Current Population
• • • •• • • Weld County - Forecasted Population
Population of Milliken
2000 to 2020
8,493
5L215
6.377
5;628
1,605
3,0.40
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Year
5 -Year Population Change
Milliken, Weld County, Colorado (2010-2020)
68.0%
71.5%
19.2 o
6.5%
SW'
3372C
22.0% 118%___.13.3%
1.7.0%-
7.90/a8.3% Lay
.111
1990-1995 1995-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 2010.2015 2015-2020
Year
■ Milliken • Weld County ■ Colorado
8 Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
DOLA Population Forecast
DOLA has provided scenarios to forecast the potential
growth of Milliken's population. From 2011 to 2021,
Milliken had 3.65% of the growth in Weld County. Scenario
1 assumes that Milliken maintains that share of the Coun-
ty's growth from 2022 through 2050, resulting in a Milliken
population of 18,539. Scenario 2 *nstead assumes that
Milliken will maintain its share of the County's total popula-
tion, approximately 2.34%.
21000
19000
17000
Using this scenario, Milliken would have a population of
14,263 by 2050. A variation on this, Scenario 2A, uses the
linear trend line calculated from the range of shares from
2001 through 2021. The trend line shows an increasing
share of Weld County's population being in Milliken,
resulting in the Town potentially having a population of
18,866 by 2050.
Population Forecast Scenarios,
Town of Milliken, CO
0 15000 _
13000 -
a
Q 11000
9000
7000
etewerevettdrorel.t.A2,5:::,!:!
•
.a • •
,•,,e, • • ii •
a
..5...•.
5000
2018 2022
2026 2030
ails Scenario 1
Source: Colefodo Deportment of Local Affairs and the US Census, 2022
2034 2038 2042
Year
ommen-m. Scenario 2 —ea Scenario 2A
2046 2050
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Profile 9
Housing
Milliken has more owner -occupied housing units and
a greater percentage of single-family housing units
out of all available housing units compared to Weld
County and Colorado. Milliken has experienced a
greater shift in median home value growth compared
to Weld County and Colorado. The Town's residential
subdivisions have been built around the first-time
homebuyer price point which will likely continue to
attract new homebuyers to the community.
As of 2020, Milliken has 2,877 housing units, a 45% increase
in housing units in the 10 years from 2010-2020, and
a 219% increase in housing units in the past 20 years.
Milliken is expected to increase its housing stock by 35%
in the next 10 years, from a housing stock of 2,877 to a
housing stock of 3,893. This is a much faster growth rate
compared to Weld County, as the County is expected to
increase its housing stock by 20% in the next 10 years.
Housing Tenure refers to households owning or renting
tree housing units they reside in. Milliken has a housing
stock that consists of 97% occupied homes, where 87% are
owner -occupied and 13% are renter -occupied. Milliken,
Weld County, and Colorado are in line with one another
with the home occupancy status, as a high percentage of
the homes are occupied, although, the housing tenure n
Milliken is much higher than in Weld County and Colorado.
The majority (97%) of homes in Milliken are single family
units, which include single-family detached and single-
family attached units. This surpasses Weld County by 18
percentage points and Colorado by 25 percentage points.
Milliken has less housing diversity compared to Weld
County and Colorado as the second highest housing stock
in Milliken is two- to four -unit buildings. The community's
share of the housing stock of these units is half of the
amount of two- to four -unit buildings in Weld County and
Colorado.
10
25U,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
Housing Unit Forecast
Weld County (2000-2050)
96,281
66,194
2030
2040
2050
195,185
170,459 • do —sr
145,733 • • •r
1217Ob7 � •r
• ,
2000 2010 2020
Year
44.m— Weld County - Current Housing Units
a m dm Weld County - Forcasted Housing Units
.N'� •. . i .C.1.(,(41.1(' t7t:y'c:s t;r). r•:
8.000
6,000
4,000
N
2 2.000
Percent of Units
0
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Housing Unit Forecast
Milliken (2000-2050)
903
5,867
4,880 /dam
3,893 • a
2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Year
.mss Milliken - Current Housing Units
a wee Milliken - Forcasted Housing Units
Home Occupancy Status
Milliken, Weld County, Colorado (2020)
97.0°(0 94.9%
90.6%1,%.
Occupied
3.0% 5.1% _
Occupancy Status
• Milliken a Weld County
t
Vacant
• Colorado
Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Median Home Values in Milliken, Weld County, and
Colorado grew within the past 10 years, although Milliken
experienced the most rapid growth compared to Weld
County and Colorado. DOLA indicates the median home
value of Milliken homes in 2020 is $306,700, in line with
the median home value in Weld County, and higher than
the median home value in Colorado. From 2010 to 2020,
Milliken experienced a 62% increase in its median home
value while Weld County experienced a 55% increase and
Colorado experienced a 33% increase.
Median Home Value
$350,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
S 150,000
SI00,000
$50,000
SO
10 -Year Change in Median Home Value
(2010-2020)
- • •$11fl;1EO
_$189 400
2010
$55;456
$306,700
$3164.10
2020
Community
■ Milliken m Weld County • Colorado
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Profile
Housing Cost Burden occurs when a household spends
more than 30% of its income on housing. Greater than 35%
indicates a severe burden. DOLA statistics indicate that
27% of Milliken residents who own their home experience
some cost burden, which aligns with Weld County and
Colorado. In addition, 21% of Milliken residents who rent
their housing units experience cost -burden, which is half
the number of cost -burden residents of Weld County and
Colorado who rent their housing units.
Milliken's newest residential sucdivisions were built around
the first-time homebuyer price point which attracted
new homebuyers to the community. Recent escalation in
housing prices may be less of a burden to property owners
who already purchased their homes.
Percentage Households
Rental Households
Owner -Occupied Households Experiencing
Cost -Burden (2020)
30% --2.10.% -
25.0%
25%
200m,
15%
104+,
5%
60%
50W,
40%
30%
20%
10%
22.7%
18.3%
-137770 13.9%
8.7% 9.4% 8.8%
3u' o or More of Income on 30-49% of Income on
Housing
Housing
50% or More of Income on
Housing
Household Payment Bracket
■ Milliken m Weld County
• Colorado
Rental Households Experiencing
Cost -Burden (2020)
47.1% 48.7%
30% or More of Income on 30-49"i" of Income on 50% or More of Income on
Housing
23.pv 3:'1`
5.7%
Housing
Household Payment Bracket
• Milliken is Weld County
Housing
• Colorado
11
Income
Milliken is a middle -income community attractive
to everyone from first-time homebuyers to retirees.
Overthe past 10 years, Milliken experienced slower
growth (15%) in median household income compared
to Weld County (34%) and Colorado (33%). The
percentage of the Town's residents below the poverty
line is lowerthan both Weld County and Colorado.
The median househola income in Milliken was $69,219 in
2020, which is $5,113 less than the 2020 median household
income in Weld County and $6,012 less than the median
household income in Colorado. Since 2010, Milliken
experienced a 15°%o increase in its median household
income, though this is lower than the increases that Welc
County (34%) and Colorado (33%) experienced. More
households in Milliken earn incomes from $25,000 to
$74,999 compared to Weld County and Colorado, though
both comparison geographies have more households in
the very lowest and highest brackets compared to Milliken.
Median Household Income Over Time
(2010-2020)
$80,000
aJ
O
560,000
S40,000
c
4)
-Theo $20,000
so
12
2010
2020
White
66.6%
• Milliken
Year
• Weld County • Colorado
Racial Distribution
Milliken (2020)
Black
0.3%
Asian and
Pacific Islander
0.50/0
Two or More Races
4.30/0
Hispanic or
Latino
27.5„0
Pace and Ethnicity
Milliken's population is predominantly White. The
Town has nearly the same population share of individ-
uals identifying as Hispanic Latino and non -Hispanic
or Latino as Weld County and Colorado.
Milliken's population comprises 66.6°%o of residents who
identify as White, followed by 4.3% of residents who iden-
tify as two or more races, 0.5% of residents who identify
as Asian and Pacific Islander, and 0.3% of residents who
identify as Black. Compared to Weld County, Milliken has
a similar number of residents who identify as Hispanic or
Latino, slightly more than the state.
Note: Per U.S. Census data, persons identifying as
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race.
100%
40..
0°3
Non -Hispanic and Hispanic Distribution
(2020)
27.5%
Milliken
29.9%
Weld County
Community
is Not Hispanic or Latino 6. Hispanic or Latino
21.9'ib
Colorado
Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
When considering median age, Milliken is slightly
youngerthan Weld County and Colorado. The Town
has a higher population in the under 5 years old cohort
as well as in the 20 to 34 -year -old cohort compared to
Weld County and Colorado.
The median age in Milliken of 34.1 years old is in line
with the median age of Weld County residents (34.6), but
younger than the median age of Colorado residents (36.9).
While the median age of males in Milliken (34.4) aligns
with the median age of males in Weld County (34.3), both
communities have a slightly younger male median age
compared to Colorado (36). The female median age in
Milliken (33.1) is slightly younger than the female median
age in Weld County (35) and Colorado (37.9).
The age distribution in Milliken varies slightly compared
to Weld County and Colorado. Milliken has slightly more
residents who are 34 years old or younger compared to Weld
County and Colorado. Despite having a younger population
compared to Weld County and Colorado, Milliken experi-
enced the greatest increase in its 55 to 64 age group and 65
or older age group from 2010 to 2020.
Percent of Population
30%
25%
20%
15%
1OnG
5%
0%
250%
200%
O
° 150%
z
O.
O
O
CU
100%
50%
0%
-50%
Employment
Between 2009 and 2019, Milliken experienced an 82%
growth in its number of jobs across all industries.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines the civilian labor
force as all people aged 16 and older who are classified as
either employed or unemployed. The labor force partici-
pation rate represents the number of people in the labor
force (either working for or actively looking for work) as
a percentage of the civilian noninstitutional population.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines a person as
unemployed if tney were not employed when the Current
Population Survey was taken; they were available for work
during the survey reference week, except for temporary
illness; and if they made an active effort to find a job during
the four weeks ending with the survey reference week or
they were temporarily laid off and expecting to be recalled
to their job. The Rate of Labor Force chart shows that the
percentage of individuals who are in the labor force in
Milliken generally aligns with the percentage of individuals
in the labor force in Weld County and Colorado.
Age Distribution (2020)
10.1%
.`"' 5.8%
Under 5 years
16.3°i
21.9%
18.9%
26.9%
15% 244%-
5-19 20-34
■ Milliken
awl
Del
Age Group
Weld County
25.9% ZG.Mc
35-54
55-64
■ Colorado
1O -Year Change in Age Distribution
(2010-2020)
9.9%
•
13.8% 14.2%
313% 124% - 12.2%-
224.3%
274%. _ 11.5%
eat
39.8%
-3.3%
Under 5 years
29.3% 43.8%
-₹2 7.3% -21-5% - '.'."'21:3% -SAW II1Lum
660'471
47.9%
28~4%
■
65+
--7-3.4%
65+
57.5%
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Profile
5-19 20-34
■ Miriiken
Age Distribution
Weld Co.inty
35-54
■ Colorado
55-64
13
Employment Sectors
Weld County's major industries are oil and gas exploration and production, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy,
and other services. Jobs and industry in Milliken reflect these regional industries. Between 2009 and 2019, the number
of jobs in Milliken grew by 565 or 82%. Growth occurred ii mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, healthcare,
entertainment and recreation, construction, real estate and rental and leasing, as well as smaller increases in many other
industries.
Milliken
Employment
Sectors
Count
2009
Share
Count
2019
Share
Total
2009-2019
Chan
•
e
Accommodation
and
Food
Services
25
4%
32
3%
7
Administration
and
Remediation
& Support,
Waste
Management
11
2%
16
1%
5
Agriculture,
Forestry,
Fishing
and
Hunting
33
5%
33
3%
0
Arts,
Entertainment,
and
Recreation
19
3%
53
4%
34
Construction
70
10%
152
12%
82
Educational
Services
35
5%
41
3%
6
Finance and
Insurance
4
1%
5
0%
1
Health
Care and
Social_
Assistance
1
0%
11
1%
10
Information
0
0%
0
0%
0
Management
of
Companies
and
Enterprises
49
7%
30
2%
-19
Manufacturing
308
44%
236
19%
-72
Mining,
Quarrying, and
Oil
and
Gas
Extraction
10
1%
420
33%
410
Other
Services (excluding
Public
Administration)
2
0%
6
1%
4
Professional,
Scientific,
and
Technical
Services
10
1%
35
3%
25
Public
Administration
38
6%
78
6%
40
Real
Estate
and
Rental
and
Leasing
3
0%
15
1%
12
Retail
Trade
58
8%
38
3%
-20
Wholesale
Trade
13
2%
23
2%
10
Transportation
and
Warehousing
4
1%
34
3%
30
Utilities
0
0%
0
0%
0
Total
693
100%
1258
100%
565
14
Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
La borshed
A laborshed compares where workers work to where they
live. According to DOLA, the number of workers who are
e mployed in Town, but live outside of Milliken is 1,232,
o r 21.4% of all Milliken workers. In comparison, only 98
people both live and work in Milliken, or 2% of Milliken
workers. Out of all Milliken residents, 4,414 workers, or
76.8%, live in Milliken but are employed outside of the
Town.
DOLA specifically reported that 330 workers, nearly 25%
of all Milliken workers, live in Greeley. Additionally, the
highest share of where residents of Milliken work is in
Greeley, as 700 workers work in the City.
Commuting data for Milliken, Weld County, and Colorado
workers represent their travel time to work and how they
get to work. The commute times in Milliken, Weld County,
and Colorado vary from one another as most workers'
commute time in Milliken is between 30 to 59 minutes.
Among the three communities, most workers drove alone
to work followed by carpooling to work.
Rate of Labor Force
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
100%
80.0
O
3 60%
40%
• 20%
a
0%
Pate of Labor Force
(2000-2020)
Employed in Milliken, Live Outside: 1,232
• Live in Milliken, Employed Outside: 4,414
Employed and Live in Milliken: 98
71.fi°1n-68..6% 70.1?r
76.9%
69:6% 694% 68:5%. 68:1°fir68:2"%o
2000 2010 2020
94.1% 882%
Car, truck, or van
81.4%
In Labor Force
--28.4r .3L4°S.2gr9qy. 30.4fl1a30.2 .6%..,3L9°/a 31$%
23.1%
2000
Employment Status
■ Milliken is Weld County ■ Colorado
Commute Methods to Work
Milliken, Weld County, Colorado (2020)
2010
2020
Not In Labor Force
77.5% 78.4% 72.9%
it •
Drove alone
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Profile
16.6%
1Q.4°Lo_ 8.6%.. -
NNIII_
■ Milliken
Carpooled
0.4% 0.4% 2.8%
3.0% 2.0% 2.8% 2.5% 7'5
Public transportation
(excluding taxicab)
Means of Transportation
c Weld County
■ Colorado
Walked Worked from home
15
ISM • YJ. - ,-r I` 1
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
It is critical that the Comprehensive Plan Update address
the issues and actions most valued by the Milliken
community. The Comprehensive Plan Update is founded
on an inclusive and engaging community outreach
process designed to gather input from a wide range of
community members, including residents, business
owners and operators, property owners, Town officials and
staff, and service providers. Through collecting input and
facilitating discussion, the outreach process has helped to
identify Milliken's issues, opportunities, potential projects,
strengths and assets, and overall public opinion of what
the Plan should address moving forward. The feedback
received will help to guide recommendations of the Plan,
ensuring it is responsive to the community it serves.
The following summary provides an overview of the
outreach completed. During the planning process,
outreach workshop summaries for public workshops were
posted to the Comprehensive Plan Update website to
provide more in-depth coverage detailing public feedback.
There have been more than 640 points of engagement
across all outreach formats, including facilitated
engagement and self -guided outreach. The term
"engagement response" is used to acknowledge that
an individual participant may engage with the planning
process more than once. For example, a business owner
may have attended the Business Workshop as well as
the Community Visioning Workshop, and additionally
responded to the online questionnaire.
16
Project Kickoff Workshops
The kickoff workshops were conducted with three groups
- Town department heads, elected and appointed officials,
and the Comprehensive Plan Update steering committee.
The workshops presented the scope of work and introduced
the project team to the Town's department heads.
Workshops began with participants individually identifying
issues and concerns. The group then shared individual
responses to create a comprehensive list of issues and
concerns. Each item on the list was then voted on by the
group, with each person receiving three votes. This revealed
the most significant issues for the entire group.
The next exercise required participants to write down
priority actions for the Town. After sharing these with the
group, the participants then voted on what they believed
to be the most important projects. Following this, the
participants provided a series of observations on Milliken's
strengths and assets.
Key Stakeholder Interviews
The project team conducted eight confidential interviews
with residents, business owners, and stakeholders from
Milliken, identified by Town staff. The interviews were
conducted both virtually and in person. Each meeting
lasted approximately one hour, in which the interviewee
discussed their role within the community and was
subsequently asked a series of questions to provide their
opinions on the issues and opportunities of Milliken.
Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
•
Community Visioning Workshop
The Community Visioning Workshop was held on
October 3, 2022. It brought together thirty-two residents
and community stakeholders to share their vision for
the future of Milliken. Groups were asked to consider
eight land uses and community features: housing and
neighborhoods, commercial areas, industrial areas,
transportation, community facilities and infrastructure,
parks, open spaces, and environmental features, growth
and development, and a category for "other." After
discussion and group drawing, the participants were asked
to designate a representative to present their maps to the
entire group. In addition to the presentation and features
explored in this exercise, participants were asked to write
their visionary "big idea" for Milliken in the year 2040.
Business Community Workshop
The Business Community Workshop was held on October4,
2022. Fifty-eight business owners were contacted regarding
the workshop, where business owners and operators were
asked to offer their input regarding the Town and the plan.
The workshop included a review of the planning process
as well as an exercise to gather input regarding issues,
opportunities, and key strengths and assets of the Town for
business owners and local entrepreneurs.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Prof+k'
Do It Yourself "DIY" Workshop Kits
The project team prepared Do -it -Yourself (DIY) workshop
kits in Spanish and English. These kits allowed Town staff,
community groups, and residents to facilitate their own
workshops and gather input from specific segments of the
population that may not otherwise participate in more
formal planning activities.
Beef N' Bean Day
Milliken staff set up a booth at the annual Beef N' Bean Day
to talk with residents and visitors, and to distribute infor-
mation regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Project Website
The project was designed to support the planning process.
It contained information regarding the project's status,
project updates, important project documents, and links
to other outreach methods. The project website remained
active through the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan
Update.
17
map.social
map.social is a web -based interactive mapping tool tnat
allows users to add location -specific input on issues and
assets within the Town. It was accessible from a mobile
device or a computer, allowing participants to leave points
of interest, opportunities for development, and comments
on data points. The data collected from this tool was used
to inform the Comprehensive Plan Update and ensure
location -based input from the community is reflected in
the Plan's goals and recommendations.
Community Questionnaire
The community questionnaire asked a series of questions
regarding Milliken's housing and neighborhoods,
economic development, transportation, infrastructure, and
community facilities. It featured multiple choice questions,
as well as opportunities for longer comments and location -
based responses. 206 responses were recorded.
Community Open House
The community open house allowed residents and stake-
holders the opportunity to examine, discuss, and comment
on the contents of the draft Comprehensive Plan Update
before the approval process.
18
ICY OUTREACH THEMES
Key themes emerged throughout the workshops, focus
groups, interviews, and DIY kits. Although a wide range
of community -identified issues, opportunities, concerns,
and priority projects create the foundation of the Plan,
these themes are immediately recognizable and most
important to Milliken stakeholders. The following is a
summary of the major themes that emerged in outreach.
Note on Summary Context
The following is a summary of the thoughts, comments,
and opinions received during the conducted outreach. It is
important to note that the items identified in this summary
are not recommendations or observations of the planning
consultant, but rather feedback and comments received
from participants.
Availability and Quality of Water
Milliken has three sources of potable water, two from
government water providers and one from the alluvial
aquifer via wells that provide raw water to be blended
with purchased treated water. Since 2004, when the RO
wells came online, the City of Greeley has provides 45%
of the total treated water supply, and the Central Weld
County Water District (CWCWD) and the RO wells each
provide 45% and 10%, respectively. Participants in both
workshops identified growth and access to potable water
as paramount to Milliken's future endeavors. Participants
offered solutions and strategies to expand water resources,
such as constructing a dedicated water treatment facility,
expanding water storage, completing the Hillsborough
Reservoir project, and ensuring the smooth completion of
the Central Weld County Water Project.
Community Profile I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Opportunities and Economic
Development
Outreach participants noted an interest in expanding busi-
ness development interest and opportunities throughout
the Town. Downtown has the highest concentration of
business, most owned by community members, and has
the most potential to support further new businesses.
This corridor has storefronts which could support busi-
ness development, but there may be is a need for facade
improvement and redevelopment in some buildings to
support further economic growth. Incentivizing businesses
to move downtown, and throughout the community, will
create a more cohesive economic center for the Town
and provide more opportunities for employment and
economic development. When discussing commercial and
industrial development, participants indicated a desire for
new businesses, throughout Town. Additionally, others
noted that while Greeley is close and offers some services
that vl i lli ken lacks, they would rather spend their money in
Milliken.
Safety and Traffic
Milliken has opportunities to increase its walkability,
which would only serve to enhance its reputation as one
of the safest and most pleasant communities in Colorado.
An outreach concern for participants was the traffic on
Highway 60 through Milliken. The highway becomes
Broad Street as it passes through Downtown and west to
Kathleen Avenue, and the infrequency of stoplights and/
or traffic calming measures along the main street exposes
pedestrians to traffic through the community center. This
makes the area less walkable, especially considering that
most intersections can only be crossed using pedestrian
yield signs. A similar issue can be found on the east side of
Town, where new development has occurred, such as new
residences and the CIVICA charter school.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Profile
Community Amenities
Milliken is a historic place in an area filled with natural
resources. Participants wanted to see the cultural and
natural offerings of vlilliken expanded, to improve the
quality of life for its residents and anyone who visits.
Residents expressed desire to promote Milliken as a
destination within the Front Range. Community ideas
included constructing a gathering space or community
center, updating the parks and splash pad, redesigning
portions of the Downtown, and increasing community
collaboration and communication.
Housing and Neighborhoods
Milliken offers high quality housing and neighborhoods.
Participants identified the Town as a bedroom community
- noting that residents are willing to live in the Town and
commute to Greeley, Loveland, Fort Collins, Boulder, and
Denver. Issues identified in the Town's neighborhoods
included some areas needing code enforcement/upkeep,
and affordability. A concern was identified regarding the
housing market in general, that there may be increasing
home prices which would make the Town less affordable.
Community ideas included developing "Dove Valley Phase
II" or another affordable housing project of about 20-40
units, encouraging developers to create opportunities
for affordable housing at a reasonable price point, and
identifying locations for new senior housing.
19
N.. y ...Ana, • �.1 ••••,-
j�.a'.i//� _ r ..yet 11 ._
..-en
..fly.. •
LAN_USAND E -MILE PLAN
The Land Use Element and Three -Mile Plan represent a policy guide for wel
managed expansion as the Town's population continues to grow. These elements
guide the orderly use of land and promote programs and policies for improving
and maintaining existing residential, commercial, industrial, and open space
areas. This section of the Comprehensive Plan Update is specific enough to direct
land -use decisions while having the flexibility to allow for creative, individualized
approaches to land development that are consistent with the community's vision.
It sets the stage for private and public investments that support strong and stable
neighborhoods, build lively commercial areas, and strategically accommodate
growth.
21
LAND USE AND THREE-MILE PLAN
The Town of Milliken has recently experienced rapid population growth. Over the five years from 2015 to 2020, Milliken
grew by 2,086 people, a 33% increase, which outpaced the growth rate of both Weld County and Colorado. Based on DOLA
estimates, growth will continue. Milliken's proximity to the I-25 and Highway 85 corridors and Weld County's most popu-
lous municipality (Greeley), ensures it will continue to be affected by a portion of the County's growth.
Milliken is defined by its Downtown, desirable neighborhoods, agricultural lands, and open spaces, each contributing to its
small-town atmosphere within a rural setting. The Town will use its ample available undeveloped land to not only accom-
modate new households but also maintain and leverage its rural character.
LAND USE INFLUENCES
Land use and development are influenced and/or
constrained by factors including:
1. Significant floodplains include the Big and Little
Thompson River an the South Platte River
2. The presence of productive and shut-in wells for
oil and gas extraction,
3. Balancing the necessities of agricultural
preservation and Town expansion and
development.
This section of the land use chapter examines these
factors to provide context for future growth and
development.
Floodplain
Floodplain areas are depicted on the Future Land Use
Map. Parcels that lie within the floodplain, floodway,
and flood hazard areas may be less suitable for
development due to their estimated risk of flooding.
Certain uses with low flood damage potential and
that will not obstruct flood flows, such as farming,
ranching, agricultural -related uses, trails, parks, open
space, and other recreational uses, are appropriate
development. Given that residential, commercial, and
industrial developments are subject to FEMA and NFIP
floodplain requirements, they should occupy less flood -
susceptible portions of the parcels.
22 22
257
.
.
•
.
•
•
•
.
we
.•
Floodplain and Rivers
as Weld County Rivers
Flood Hazard Areas (FEMA)
•
•
• .
•....../
UttteThom 4son Ri+1=
Oat, .......
•
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.
.
.
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•
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•
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Land Use and Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
J
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
AScale. 1.110, 000
;ver
Oil and Gas Extraction
There are productive and shut-in wells within Town limits.
Shut-in wells are completed wells that are not producing
but are mechanically capable of production. Additionally,
several new wells are in the process of being drilled. Many
of these are on horizontal well pads with multiple wells on
a single pad, reducing the visual impact to the landscape.
In conjunction with new horizontal wells, existing vertical
wells are plugged and abandoned.
The Town will continue to support oil and gas extraction as
an important economic resource for the community and
work with the industry to reduce impacts on adjacent
uses. While extraction does create some development
constraints, the Town's municipal code provides
setbacks to allow for development. The Town has
several subdivisions approved with restricted areas
until wells are plugged and abandoned. Additionally,
new oil and gas technology is moving away from
vertical welts towards horizontal wells concentrated in
one area, which will reduce the need for setbacks and
subdivisions near active and inactive sites.
Contiguous Development and
Agricultural Preservation
Milliken has extensive growth areas that could
represent considerable outward expansion for the
community. A substantial portion of the Town's
annexed area is master planned as Centennial
Crossing; only the areas very far south are not
included in that master plan. The Town will work
with developers to encourage contiguous, adjacent
development as it grows, following the Future Land
Use Map and the growth and annexation policies
of the Three -Mile Plan. This will help to reduce
impacts on infrastructure and support continuous
development within and near the Town's existing core.
Additionally, it will help to preserve valued agricultural
and environmental areas from being prematurely
converted into higher intensity uses.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Land Use and Development
Agricultural Land
Agriculture
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
Scale : 1:110.000
23
LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS
The land use categories listed below are intended to
formulate general policy and desired land uses within
Milliken. More detailed strategies to create high -quality
residential, commercial, and employment areas will be
contained within the subsequent plan chapters.
Agricultural
The Agricultural designation is intended to protect and
expand the agricultural sector of Milliken. Agriculture is an
important feature of the Town's economy, and maintaining
the amount of land dedicated to farming, ranching, and
other general agricultural uses should be a priority in future
development. Significant change is not anticipated in the
development pattern of Agricultural areas over the 20 -year
planning horizon of the Comprehensive Plan Update,
ensuring that the agricultural sector is protected as the Town
expands. Additionally, these parcels can include very low
density single-family detached homes or farmsteads.
► Primary Land Uses: Farming, ranching, general
agriculture.
► Secondary Land Uses: Very low density residential.
24
Rural Residential
The Rural Residential designation is intended to
accommodate residential uses on large parcels of
land. Existing development patterns include housing
developments witnin Town such as Mill Iron.. This creates
a low -density, wide open space development pattern that
can be found throughout much of Colorado. They are
often adjacent to agricultural uses, and are located on the
o uter edges of the Town boundary. Additionally, this land
u se can accommodate agricultural uses depending on the
development site and its surrounds. However, its primary
function is to support large -lot, single family areas in a
rural setting.
► Primary Land Uses: Low -density residential.
► Secondary Land Uses: Farming, ranching, and general
agricultural uses.
Single -Family Residential
The Single -Family Residential designation includes
homes standing atone on individual lots. This is the
primary residential land use within Milliken. Single -Family
Residential areas transition from agricultural areas to the
increased density of the other residential land uses nearer
to Milliken's boundary. Future Single -Family Residential
neighborhood developments should implement
conservation design, limit infrastructure demands,
and preserve the natural and rural areas on the Town's
periphery.
► Primary Land Uses: Detached single-family homes.
. Secondary Land Uses: Accessory buildings and
limited agricultural uses, estate homes on large lots.
Land Use and Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Traditional Residential
The Traditional Residential designation includes
Milliken's Old Town and Downtown -area neighborhoods,
and the blocks immediately surrounding them. The
Traditional Residential areas feature homes in a gridded
or connected block pattern. Land uses primarily include
single-family detached homes, and are interspersed
vvith supporting uses, such as schools, civic and cultural
facilities, and neighborhood parks. As investment and
redevelopment occur, traditional neighborhoods should
include infill with attached homes such as townhomes to
gently increase density consistent with the character of
the surrounding neighborhood.
• Primary Land Uses: Detached single-family homes on
smaller lots; attached units (duplexes, townhomes).
► Secondary Land Uses: Accessory dwelling units,
schools, civic and cultural facilities, and neighborhood
parks.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Land Use and Development
Mixed Residential
The Mixed Residential designation allows for multiple
housing types including single-family detached, and
attached homes such as duplexes, townhomes, triplexes,
and small mixed use and multifamily buildings. In Milliken,
these areas will primarily be comprised of single-family
homes while offering greater variety within Milliken's
housing stock. Mixed residential areas allow for more
flexibility to build denser residential development in the
areas where economic development is anticipated, which
will preserve the rural character in the Town's 2023 Urban
Growth Area. Future Mixed Residential neighborhood
developments will require a balance of local connectivity
and conservation design to improve access to both
motorized and non -motorized transportation throughout
Town, limit infrastructure demands, and preserve
the natural and rural areas that lend to the identity of
Milliken. Areas designated for Mixed Residential can easily
accommodate a variety of dwelling types, including
formats targeted toward seniors and the workforce.
► Primary Land Uses: Detached single-family homes
on smaller lots, attached units (duplexes, triplexes,
townhomes), mixed use, small multifamily apartments,
and condominiums.
► Secondary Land Uses: Accessory dwelling units,
schools, civic and cultural facilities, and neignborhood
parks.
25
Commercial
The Commercial designation is intended to provide for a
range of uses such as restaurants, retail shops, offices, and
grocery stores. Local commercial nodes accommodate
auto -oriented, yet pedestrian -friendly development to
provide goods and services to visitors and residents alike.
These include local shopping centers and stand-alone
stores that are conveniently located at the intersection
of arterial and collector roadways, such as along Broad
Street, and in smaller nodes throughout the community.
Larger nodes that could support a mix of retail surrounding
a big -box retail establishment are identified within the
Town's 2023 Urban Growth Area north of 49th Street, along
Two Rivers Parkway, as well as north along State Highway
257 and Weld County Road 54.
Primary Land Uses: Retail, commercial services, and
professional offices.
► Secondary Land Uses: Multifamily residential, mixed
use, live -work units.
Downtown
The Downtown designation includes the Town's urban
blocks along Broad Street. Downtown should serve as
the civic and cultural core of the Milliken community,
supported by the Town Hall, Police Department, Post
Office, and Front Range Fire Station 2 Headquarters. Infill
development or redevelopment on Downtown blocks
should follow the traditional neighborhood development
pattern. A mix of uses should include retail and service
commercial as well as residential uses.
► Primary Land Uses: Mixed use, civic, retail, and office.
► Secondary Land Uses: Attached units (duplexes,
triplexes, townhomes), mixed use, small multifamily
apartments, and condominiums.
26
Business and Industrial
The Business and Industrial designation allows for the
manufacturing, assembly, and distribution of goods and
materials. Activities should occur inside structures, with
outdoor areas limited to storage or distribution. These
areas serve some of the Town's employment needs but can
bring noise, visual, and environmental impacts. Businesses
within this land use category should have increased
buffering and screening to minimize potential impacts to
non -compatible adjacent land uses such as residential
areas.
► Primary Land Uses: Manufacturing, indoor storage,
warehousing and distribution, and a range of industrial
services and operations.
► Secondary Land Uses: Rock and mineral extraction
and operations, outdoor storage.
Public/Semi-Public
The Public/Semi-public designation includes a range of
uses that include government facilities, schools, and other
institutional uses. Examples of applicable uses include
facilities used for municipal services and operations such as
the Town Hall and public safety facilities, public and private
schools, and recreation centers. The impact of Public/Semi-
public uses can vary depending on the type and scale of
the facility. New Public/Semi-Public uses should consider
adjacent land uses and utilize appropriate design, screening,
and buffering to minimize impacts.
► Primary Land Uses: Government facilities, schools,
institutional uses, public safety facilities.
_and Use and Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Open Space
The Parks and Open Space designation is a critical
component of the identity and rural character of Milliken. The
designation includes both public and private recreational
facilities that provide active and passive recreational
amenities, as well as land that has not been designated as
active parks but may contain environmental features such as
tree stands, streams, and wetlands. Open space areas also
include parcels that lie within the floodplain of the South
Platte River, the Big and Little Thompson Rivers, and other
areas that due to their natural topography may be unsuitable
for development.
► Primary Land Uses: Parks, trails, and recreational
facilities; preserved natural areas and environmental
features.
Utility
The Utility designation includes sites and facilities that
accommodate critical water, wastewater, and stormwater
infrastructure, power generation and substations and
electrical support towers. Residential development near utility
uses should be buffered and screened to mitigate potential
impacts.
► Primary Land Uses: Water, wastewater, stormwater, and
power infrastructure.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Land Use and Development
GENERAL LAND
USE POLICIES
General land use policies are carried forth from the
previous comprehensive plan into this update and
expanded or refined to align with current community prior-
ities. The following land use policies apply broadly to all
land uses within the Town and its Urban Growth Area:
► Update intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with
neighboring communities to reflect the Town's Future
Land Use Map, Urban Growth Area, and Annexation
Areas.
► Evaluate annexation proposals for consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan Update.
► Monitor building permit activity to help inform land
capacity and availability.
► Encourage infill in the Traditional Residential and
Downtown areas on the Future Land Use Map, and
redevelopment/new development in areas already
served or in proximity to available infrastructure.
► Work with property owners to encourage annexation
of unincorporated parcels surrounded by Town limits,
and update zoning on development -ready parcels in
alignment with the Future Land Use Map.
► Use the Annexation Areas within the Three -Mile Plan
to inform the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and
direct the location and timing of fiscally responsible
growth.
► Regularly assess appropriate level of impact fees on
new development.
27
LittAelbompson
rr�s.......
.1 ru4
C9
Scale: 1:60,000
Future Land Use
Agriculture
Rural Residential
Single -Family Residential
Mixed Residential
Traditional Residential
Downtown
Context
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
Floodplain
Z- Rivers and Streams
Commercial
Business/Industrial
Parks/Open Space
Public/Semi-Public
Utility
Land Use and Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
THREE-MILE PLANNING AND ANNEXATION
Under Colorado statutes, municipalities have the authority to execute annexations in the three-mile extraterritorial juris-
diction. No annexation may take place that would extend the municipal boundary more than three miles in any direction
in a single year. The state mandates that Colorado municipalities must plan in the growth area before annexation. For the
Comprehensive Plan Update, Ivilliken's Planning Area is comprised of the incorporated Town of Milliken and its planning
influence area, the 2023 Urban Growth Area. The Urban Growth Area constitutes the Town's three-mile limit as required
by and in conformance with Section 31-12-105 (1)(e)(l) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. The Town's existing municipal
boundary and potential annexation areas fit within the larger Urban Growth Area boundary. While the three-mile planning
area that would be compliant with Colorado Statutes extends beyond the Urban Growth Area, for the purposes of this
update, the Urban Growth Area and Three Mile Planning area will be considered the same.
••♦••
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Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Land Use and Development
CO U N TY
Three -Mile Planning Buffer
r Three -Mile Buffer
mi Current Municipal Boundary
Fl 2023 Urban Growth Area
Context
•
: County Boundary
Other Weld County Municipalities
Scale- 1-220,000
29
Annexation
Milliken reviews petitions submitted by landowners in
compliance with the Colorado Annexation Act of 1965. The
Town's previously adopted 2015 Urban Growth Area directed
urban development to be concentrated within existing
Town limits or where urban services already exist or can be
reasonably provided.
2023 Urban Growth Area
Land within the Urban Growth Area, but outside the munic-
ipal boundary, is currently under Weld County jurisdic-
tion but within the Town's planning influence under the
Colorado Revised Statutes. Milliken's Urban Growth Area
extends west into unincorporated territory near Johnstown
and east toward unincorporated territory near Evans. It
includes areas southwest of the Flack flagpole annexation,
which follows 65th Avenue, as well as areas which are part
of the Town of Mead and Town of Platteville Urban Growth
Areas.
Most of the land within the Urban Growth Area has a rural
character. Long term, this area may potentially become
developed as services become available. However,
widespread development within the 2023 Urban Growth
Area is unlikely during the 20 -year planning horizon and it
is anticipated that much of the area will remain agricultural
and rural residential. Water and sewer service extensions to
the Flack annexation will further open up development.
Potential Annexation Areas
Potential Annexation Areas are parcels within the three-
mile boundary and the Town's updated Urban Growth area
but are not currently annexed into the Town of Milliken.
This Comprehensive Plan Update carries forward the
potential annexation areas from the 2015 Urban Growth
Area, and includes further properties based on the updated
three-mile development limit.
30
Parcels which fall within the existing municipal boundary
of the Town, or immediately adjacent to it, should carry
priority, as these areas would assist the Town in meeting its
long-term growth and development goals, while limiting
outward expansion into the prized rural areas that define
the community. Parcels fitting this description benefit
from contiguous development and more reasonable cost
and effort to extend infrastructure and services. While
the Town has not precluded development outside the
annexation areas, it should continue to create economic
and administrative mechanisms that provide incentives to
drive development within them.
Outward Growth Policy
The Town will focus annexation on areas where
utilities, access, and public services can be reasonably
provided and where growth and development should
be encouraged. Annexations should consider timing
and availability of infrastructure and services. Given the
distance of some potential annexation areas from the
amenities and infrastructure of the Town, those parcels
should be considered incrementally over the next two
decades, to preserve agricultural and environmental
areas from being prematurely developed. Notable
exceptions are the State Highway 257/WCR 54 and Two
Rivers Parkway/49th Street annexation area, which is not
contiguous to the core of the community, although it is an
extension of developed subdivisions. The Future Land Use
Map indicates commercial and residential development
in this area, capitalizing on the Town's existing annexation
and the proximity to southern Greeley.
Working with Weld County and
the Nearby Municipalities
The Town's Urban Growth Area abuts several nearby
municipal growth areas or planning influence areas,
including those of Gilcrest, Platteville, Evans, Greeley,
Mead, and Johnstown. Johnstown's growth area overlaps
with Milliken's near State Highway 60. The Town should
keep open channels of communication with Weld County
and the nearby municipalities as specific projects are
planned and applications are reviewed, ensuring a
collaborative approach to incremental growth outside
its municipal boundaries. This can be supported through
the expansion of Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs)
with neighboring communities, such as the 2012 Milliken -
Platteville IGA. Currently, Milliken is engaged in efforts
to create an IGA with Johnstown and is committed to
updating existing IGAs.
Land Use and Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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31
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Milliken's commercial and industrial areas provide a wide range of goods and
services, as well as employment opportunities. From small businesses to larger
industrial and agricultural operations, the Town's commercial corridors and indus-
trial activity areas are an important part of Milliken's community character. The
Economic Development Chapter identifies recommendations to strengthen the
Town's position in the region, promote access to goods and services, and support
the Town's various established and new businesses.
33
A VISION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Town will be known as a place that is open for business and ready to work with
enterprises from small startups to established corporations. The Town will attract new
industries and employment opportunities to the community and bolster its Downtown core.
Businesses will choose Milliken for its proximity to freight rail corridors, access to nearby urban
areas, and nearness to Denver International Airport. Milliken will continue to diversify services
and businesses, building a balanced economic base.
Goals for Economic Development
Retaining Milliken's small-town identity is possible through organized and responsible development. The Town's Urban
Growth Area should contain a diverse set of land uses and provide places for Milliken to expand its economy . While existing
land use patterns should continue to preserve farmland and other uses which support Milliken's economic base, the Town
is looking for opportunities to diversify their tax base and provide additional services and amenities to residents. This can
be accomplished through incremental changes that fit into the fabric of the Town.
The Town's goals for economic development are to:
► Continue to support and expand commercial and industrial areas that promote employment growth, increase the tax
base and support a diverse and stable local economy.
► Continue to promote Milliken's Downtown and encourage local business development, adaptive reuse (taking an
existing building and updating or adapting it for a new use or purpose), commercial renovation, and entrepreneurship
in an environment that supports a mix of uses.
34
Economic Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
A profile of Milliken's current economic conditions and
opportunities can be found in this section. Further
information can be found in Chapter2: Community Profile.
Commercial Areas
The Town is home to to both established and growing
commercial areas. Many of Milliken's commercial spaces
are along Broad Street, or State Highway 60, in the middle
portion of the Town. Downtown is centered along Broad
Street, between Alice Avenue and Kathleen Avenue. The
character of this historic area lends itself well to local
businesses, which occupy most available commercial
spaces. Downtown commercial spaces are currently
home to restaurants, an ice cream shop, and other small
businesses. With a mix of public/semi-public, retail, and
residential uses, Downtown Milliken has historically been
and will continue to function as the Town's economic
center. There are ongoing opportunities for renovations,
infill, and business attraction to as Milliken continues
to promote its history to the Front Range and beyond,
highlighting its charm and beauty.
There are commercial spaces and opportunities outside
of Milliken's Downtown. Developments such as Trader's
Junction offer larger commercial spaces and further
options in an automobile -oriented setting. Offering larger
commercial spaces creates opportunities to increase
the distinct types of businesses throughout Town. These
current and ongoing efforts reflect the community's desire
to see further diversity in the retail, dining, and other
commercial uses throughout all areas of the Town.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Economic Development
Traffic Patterns
Milliken sits at a prominent location with easy access to
major transportation routes. Colorado State Highway 60/
Broad Street is the Town's "main street" that also functions
as a through route. Given the concentration of commercial
spaces along Broad Street, it is important that traffic patterns
through the area slow to reflect Broad Street's status
and encourage motorists passing through to appreciate
Milliken's offerings. The Town has limited control over the
traffic patterns on Broad Street, since it is part of Colorado
State Highway 60 , but it has worked with the Colorado
Department of Transportation (COOT) to post a 30 mile -per -
hour speed limit. Speed limit reductions are planned to 25
miles -per -hour.
Any street infrastructure along this thoroughfare, such as
stop signs, traffic signals, and other traffic impacts must be
approved by CDOT. The Town has installed flashing beacons
at crosswalks and has a concrete replacement program in
place to repair the sidewalks as needed. These completed
and ongoing improvements are important efforts on the
part of the Town, furthering Broad Street as main street
destination, mitigating the presence of truck and commuter
traffic, and encouraging motorists and pedestrians alike to
experience Downtown.
Labor Force
The Town's approximately 4,500 employed residents
primarily commute from Milliken to other places within
the region to work. While it is likely that the Town's
employment landscape will continue to include
commuting outside the community over the 20 year
planning horizon, Milliken offers many opportunities
to grow the local economy and increase the number of
jobs within the municipal boundary. The region's major
and growing industries include agriculture, oil and gas,
manufacturing, renewable energy, and many other
services.
35
COMMUNITY -WIDE
POLICI ES
The following policies apply to the commercial land
uses within the Town and its Urban Growth Area.
Grow the Local Economy
Milliken's growing population presents the opportunity to
continue investment in economic opportunity throughout
the Town. Outreach identified that the Town has local busi-
nesses and entrepreneurs who lack the space to expand
their operations. Areas along Broad Street in Downtown
Milliken, as well as corridors within proposed annexation
areas offer spaces that could be used by a variety of busi-
nesses looking to locate in Milliken. Given the proposed
land use changes, the potential for commercial offerings
will be expanded. Developers closer to Downtown or resi-
dential areas should focus on curating spaces to host small
businesses to promote the local economy, while larger lots
have been set aside for regional retail spaces to provide
further employment opportunities.
36
• st:Lie 4"-:jtigatItitt:<::11 •• e
Y
Given that many of the Town's commercial and industrial
areas are within the Colorado Enterprise Zone Program,
there are financial incentives that Milliken can harness to
support these businesses. The Town can undertake the
following to increase local economic opportunities:
► Encourage smaller, locally focused commercial spaces
in Downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods.
► Encourage larger, regionally focused commercial away
from the primary residential/scenic Town areas.
► Attract and support new businesses by offering
incentives, such as the Colorado Enterprise Zone
Program, to businesses that relocate to or expand in the
Town.
► Support existing businesses by providing small grants
or otner forms of assistance such as informational
resources when they are looking to expand.
► Promote local businesses through advertising,
marketing, and events that display local products and
services, such as the Town's successful Beef N' Bean
Day.
Economic Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Activate Buildings and Land
in Downtown Milliken
Milliken's Downtown is its economic and civic center. It is
home to many local businesses in the Town and has been
a focus of Milliken's retail economy since the Town was
founded. Downtown has ample opportunities for further
economic development, ensuring its existing resources are
u sed to full capacity.
The Town should continue to encourage new
development opportunities on undeveloped parcels
and underdeveloped properties within the Downtown.
The Town should continue increasing the economic
o pportunities in Milliken's core, promoting property repair
and encouraging development on vacant lots along Broad
Street. Underused properties can be converted into new
uses, providing unique spaces for local businesses. This
would ensure that Downtown Milliken's historic nature and
strong community characteristics continue well into the
future. Ongoing facade improvements by building owners
and developers will revitalize this neighborhood, providing
further economic opportunities for Milliken. The Town can
e mploy the following to improve Downtown's commercial
spaces and structures:
► Continue to encourage developers to renovate proper-
ties and facades along Broad Street through improve-
ment programs and other incentives.
► Promote infill development and adaptive reuse prac-
tices to vacant and underused lots along Broad Street.
► Encourage additional entrepreneurs and local business
owners to occupy spaces on Broad Street.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Economic Developrrmeit-
Promote Public Realm Improvements
Milliken's Downtown should continue over the coming
decades as a lively and diverse mix of commercial, civic,
and cultural uses. It should be a place where people come
to shop, work, and enjoy local culture and events - a place
that is well connected to other parts of the community, and
is safe and welcoming for everyone.
Downtown can be further supported in these efforts
through public realm improvements. Given the pedes-
trian exposure along Broad Street and the relative lack of
control the Town has over traffic patterns for State Highway
60, the Town should continue to focus its resources on the
pedestrian experience and the areas of the public realm it
can influence. This would ensure that businesses, services,
and other amenities along Broad Street are easily acces-
sible through all means of transportation, increasing inter-
actions within Downtown. Connectivity to the surrounding
areas should also be a focus, ensuring it is easy to get
from residential neighborhoods to the Downtown Core.
Continuing to add wayfinding, encourage public art, and
enhance landscaping along Broad Street will contribute
to the community's beauty and support the Downtown as
an economic center. To continue promoting public realm
improvements, the Town can:
► Continue to strategically repair and replace sidewalks
along Broad Street, as needed.
► Continue to implement streetscape elements such as
pedestrian furnishings, street art, trees, and landscape
strips where feasible to encourage pedestrian interac-
. tion with Broad Street.
► Continue to expand on the Town's pedestrian level
improvements, such as public art.
► Add one or more public spaces such as plazas and
pocket parks.
37
Increase Access to Local Businesses Improve Business Resources
Downtown is Milliken's original commercial core. Its influ-
ence has remained focused between Alice and Kathleen
Avenue. People stop in Milliken for gas and convenience
items, to have breakfast or lunch, and to enjoy the commu-
nity. The Town should look for ways to continue harnessing
the traffic along its main State Highway 60 spine, growing
its economy and supporting the businesses serving the
community.
The Town can continue expanding the influence of Down-
town along Broad Street, adding commercial spaces,
parking, and informational signage to encourage people
to slow down and stop to take in Milliken. These improve-
ments could be further supported through increasing
non -vehicular access to Downtown, such as bikeways,
trails, and sidewalks. Residents enjoy existing trails from
the east subdivisions that connect to older neighborhoods
at Alice Avenue south of Broad Street, and there are exten-
sive trail systems in the Settlers Village and Colony Pointe
subdivisions to historic Downtown Milliken via Forest
Street. Continue to establish infrastructure for alterna-
tive transportation methods will encourage people living
in Milliken's neighborhoods access existing and future
Downtown amenities and businesses that populate Broad
Street. Increasing access to Milliken's Downtown can be
accomplished in the following ways:
► Expand alternative transportation options, such as bike
paths and pedestrian trails, between neighborhoods
and commercial areas, such as Downtown and Trader's
Junction.
► Continue to work with CDOT as access control plans
are developed, ensuring the Town's "seat at the table"
when decisions are made about State Highway 60.
38
Entrepreneurs and established business owners in Milliken
are looking to expand their businesses and contribute to
the Town's economy. The Town's entrepreneurs already
benefit from the resources that the Town provides.
For example, the Town could establish a business
improvement district (BID), which is a public organization
funded by private commercial property owners pooling
resources to improve the overall environment of a
commercial area. This can include programs such as
marketing to attract new businesses and residents. A BID
or would create an avenue for business owners throughout
the Town to collaborate, share resources, and plan for
success.
Additionally, the Town will invest in public facilities to
provide spaces and resources that would allow business
owners to collaborate. By improving the infrastructure for
businesses within Milliken, it will create opportunities for
those businesses to expand and enrich the community.
The Town can undertake the following to grow its local
economy:
► Establish a business improvement district (BID) to
improve the Downtown and other commercial areas.
► Create a public gathering space with business
resources.
► Work with Glenn A. Jones Memorial Library to increase
the educational resources available for business
owners.
► Encourage local trade businesses to work with Milliken
schools and younger residents to raise awareness of job
opportunities.
"Developers should focus
on providing spaces to host
small businesses to promote the
local economy." - Community
Questionnaire Respondent
Economic Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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Identify New Commercial Areas
As Milliken grows, organized land use will become
a determining factor in its success in accomplishing
the community's goal of expanding while retaining its
"small town feel." By ensuring careful consideration of
its available land and annexation areas, the Town can
grow its economy without sacrificing its values. Given the
substantial amounts of space required to support Milliken's
primary economic sectors, the future land use framework
should continue the development pattern of strategically
preserving agricultural land within the Town's planning
area , and focusing employment uses in the Town's
established industrial park or in other designated industrial
zoning districts. These portions of land are imperative to
the economic base of the Town and will be supported
throughout the Town's future.
In annexation areas closer to regional infrastructure and
more developed streets, there are ample opportunities
to attract business to the Town. The annexation area
around Flack Farm is well-connected to surrounding areas,
providing an ideal location for expanded commercial
offerings. There are vacant portions east of Flack Farms,
along Two Rivers Parkway north of 49'' Street, which
would be ideal locations for commercial properties. Given
its proximity to Evans, it would be a perfect opportunity
for larger lot retail that would be inappropriate within
Milliken's current boundaries. The same principle could be
applied to the proposed commercial offerings north of CR
52 along Highway 257.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Economic Development.
These properties, north of the primary residential
neighborhoods of the Town, provide space for higher
impact commercial uses without interfering with the
image afforded to the large lot neighborhoods to the
south. Commercial offerings with lower impact and a local
focus could be expanded down Broad Street, adjacent to
Milliken's traditional Downtown and into less commercially
developed areas. These commercial offerings should
focus on small businesses that provide necessary services
to Milliken's population. The Town can undertake the
following to encourage new economic opportunity:
► Encourage commercial development outside of Milliken's
current Downtown as identified on the Economic
Development Framework Map, including:
East of Flack Farms.
North of Weld County Road 52 along Highway 257.
East and West of Downtown on Broad Street,
elevating out of the Little Thompson River
floodplain or avoiding flood hazard areas in the
western portion.
► Encourage development of a variety of businesses
throughout commercial areas to provide economic
diversity.
► Develop infrastructure around commercial nodes to provide
neighborhood access to the businesses within.
39
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FRAMEWORK
2
40
Regional Commercial
These areas, located in the northern parts of the Town
limits on Weld County Road 54 and Two Rivers Parkway,
are approximately 340 acres and have been identified for
future large-scale development. The areas should develop
into regional commercial centers that will draw patrons
from Milliken and beyond. They will consist of a mix of big
box stores, national retailers, and commercial service uses
with shared parking areas for visitors from surrounding
communities.
Business and Industrial
These Business/Industrial areas clustered within the center
of Milliken are collectively approximately 960 acres. These
areas were also identified as Business/Industrial in the
2016 Comprehensive Plan. The area between Ash Street
and Highway 60 is the Town's established industrial park.
Moving forward, the other areas should follow suit. The
Business/Industrial area north of Ash Street is currently
zoned as agricultural so development of this area would
require the property to be rezoned as one of the Town's
three industrial zoning districts or as a Planned Unit
Development. Within this area, development will need to
be focused outside of or elevated out of the floodplain.
As development occurs, these Business/Industrial areas
should adhere to the Town's established design standards
to ensure well -designed streets, on -site landscaping,
attractive public spaces, unified signage, and wayfinding.
In alignment with the Land Use Code and the Town's
landscaping and design standards, these areas should also
be appropriately screened and buffered from adjacent
residential areas while also incorporating natural features
such as the Big Thompson River and Platte River Ditch into
the design.
3
Highway 60 Corridor Commercial
These commercial areas, located along Highway 60, are
major beneficiaries of the large volume of traffic that
travels through. The Town should take advantage of this
and expand commercial space within these areas to
include a blend of retail, office, and service. The corridor
can provide for residents' daily needs while also drawing
customers from surrounding communities. Access
management and flow of traffic should be prioritized to
create a comfortaole and safe environment for all modes
of travel. The Town should leverage its existing site plan-
ning processes and requirements to account for points of
conflict and curb cut spacing to encourage site design that
promotes the reliance on side street access, rather than
directly on Highway 60.
4 Downtown Milliken
Downtown Milliken, located in the heart of the Town, is
the core of the community. This vibrant, attractive, and
active location is a perfect home for additional restau-
rants, specialized retail opportunities, and mixed -use
development. The Town should encourage collaboration
between businesses to foster the growth of Downtown as
a key destination. There should also be unique events and
spaces that further elevate Downtown Milliken as the place
to be.
5
Commercial Nodes
Commercial nodes, located at Weld County Road 21 and
Inez Boulevard and at Weld County Road 21 and Weld
County Road 44, were also identified as commercial nodes
in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. The Town should look to
build upon that and take advantage of these areas' prox-
imity to residents by providing daily goods and services
such as grocery stores, daycares, dining, and convenient
stores. Due to the areas' residential setting, screening and
buffering design elements will be implemented, in align-
ment with the Town's established requirements for separa-
tion and buffering between uses in the landscaping section
of the Land Use Code. Accessibility from surrounding
neighborhoods should be encouraged.
Economic Development I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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Business/Industrial
Context
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
Floodplain
Rivers and Streams
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Economic Development
Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific action.
► Short-term: less tnan two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
R
ECO
V
M
ENDED ACTION
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Vatrix is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
TIME
P
RIORI
Grow the Local Economy
Encourage smaller, locally focused commercial spaces in Downtown and
the adjacent neighborhoods.
Encourage larger, regionally focused commercial away from the primary
residential/scenic Town areas.
Attracting new businesses by offering incentives, such as tax breaks or
grants, to businesses that relocate to or expand in the Town.
O ngoing
O ngoing
Support existing businesses by providing small grants or other forms of
assistance such as informational resources.
Promote local businesses through advertising, marketing, and events.
Ongoing
O ngoing
Short-term
2
N COST
ss
SS
2
1
1
3
$$$
Activate Buildings and Land in Downtown Milliken
Encourage developers to renovate properties along Broad Street to
improve facades using facade improvement programs and other incen-
tives.
Promote infill development and adaptive reuse practices to vacant and
underused lots along Broad Street.
Encourage entrepreneurs and local business owners to occupy Broad
Street spaces.
42
O ngoing
Mid-term
O ngoing
1
1
2
S
............
RECOM
V
E
NDED ACTION
TI
ME
PRIORITY COST
Promote Public Realm Improvements
Continue to strategically repair and replace sidewalks along Broad Street,
as needed.
Continue to add streetscape elements, such as pedestrian furnishings,
street art, trees, and landscape strips between street and sidewalk to
encourage pedestrian interaction with Broad Street.
Continue to add pedestrian level improvements, such as public art.
Add one or more public spaces such as plazas and pocket parks.
Short-term
O ngoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
1
2
2
1
$$
$$
$$
5$
Increase Access to Local Businesses
Construct alternative transportation options between neighborhoods and
commercial areas, such as Downtown.
Continue to work with CDOT as access control plans are developed.
Mid-term
O ngoing
2
3
$5
S
Improve Business Resources
Establish a business improvement district (BID) to improve the Downtown
and other commercial areas.
Create a public gathering space with business resources.
Work with Glenn A. Jones Memorial Library to increase the educational
resources available for business owners.
Encourage local trade businesses to work with Milliken schools and
younger residents to raise awareness of job opportunities.
Short-term
Short-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
1
3
3
$$
Identify New Commercial Areas
Encourage commercial development outside of Milliken's current
Downtown, as identified on the Economic Development Framework map
Encourage development of a variety of businesses throughout commercial
areas to provide economic diversity.
Long-term
O ngoing
Develop infrastructure around commercial nodes to provide neighbor-
hood access to the businesses within.
Mid-term
1
$$
$$
$$
43
ous
NEIL
NG AND
ORHOODS
The Housing and Neighborhoods Chapter provides a founda-ition for future
and existing residential neighborhoods within Milliken. The Housing and Neigh-
borhoods Chapter uses the Land Use Plan as a foundation for more detailed
strategies to organize existing and emerging residential areas. This chapter
identifies recommendations to ensure that all residents, from those who were
born and raised in Milliken to those who are new to the community, can call the
Town home fora long time.
A VISION FOR HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
Milliken will be the right place for anyone looking to put down roots in the region. As
it continues to grow, Milliken will diversify its housing stock to meet the needs of a growing
population. Recognizing a need for attainable housing for residents in each stage of life - from
first-time homebuyers just starting out, to seniors looking to stay in the community - the Town
will work with landowners and developers to ensure its high -quality neighborhoods include a
varied mix of housing types.
46
Goals for Housing and Neighborhoods
Milliken's growing population presents an opportunity to expand its influence and grow its economy. However, Milliken
is proud of its small-town character, where everyone can come together as a community to support one another. While
population growth may present challenges to the Town's established small-town charm and character, new residents bring
vibrancy to the community, reflecting the Town's appeal to a wider variety of people. Maintaining the "small-town" repu-
tation while accommodating growth starts with responsible and organized residential development. The Town gives new
residents a place while providing diverse housing options for existing residents as life circumstances change.
The Town's goals for its housing and neighborhoods are to:
► Encourage developers and land owners to provide residential areas and neighborhoods that offer a diverse mix of
housing types and price points to meet the needs, income levels, and lifestyles of Villiken's current and future residents.
► Promote continued reinvestment in Milliken's Old Town and Downtown -adjacent neighborhoods, ensuring they
prosper over the next 20 years.
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
A summary of Milliken's current housing conditions
and opportunities can be found in this section. Further
information can be found in Chapter 2: Community Profile.
Projected Population Growth
Over the five-year period from 2015 to 2020 (the latest data
available), the Town grew by 2,086 people, a 33% increase.
Furthermore, Villiken has experienced a 51% population
growth over the past 10 years of available data (2010-
2020). DOLA's three scenario population forecasts for the
Town indicate a potential population of 14,200 - 18,800
by the year 2050, based on the Town's current share of the
County's growth (see page 9).
Percent of Units
80(''0
60%
40%fin
20%
0%
0.
Housing Options
Milliken's identity as a charming, small town is one of its
most prominent assets. Its popularity is reflected in its
growing population, as more and more people flock to the
community. However, of the approximately 2,877 units in
Milliken, 97% are single-family homes, compared to only
75% and 66% in Weld County and the State of Colorado,
respectively. This homogeneity of its housing types could
become a barrier to future growth, as new residents will
have fewer prospects based on their income and family
size. By strategically adjusting its development pattern, the
Town could provide opportunities for wider demographics
to live and work in Milliken.
Total Housing Units by Housing Type (2022)
96.6%
78.5%
—11.3%
Single Unit Buildings
2.8% 4.6% 4.7%
Buildings with 2 to 4 Units
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and Neighborhoods
■ Milliken
0.0%
20.1%
0.6%
7.2%
3.9%
Buildings with 5 or More Units Manufactured Homes
Housing Type
Weld County ■ Colorado
Milliken grew at a
rate between 5% - 8%
from 2016 to 2019.
47
Cost of Housing
vlilliken's small town charm and high -quality housing stock
make it an attractive location for homebuyers looking for
a rural lifestyle with good regional access. Reflecting the
community's desirability, the value of homes in Villiken
increased 62% over the last ten years. According to the
US Census Bureau, 27% of homeowners and 21% of
renters were paying 30% or more of their income towards
housing in 2020. This reveals a shortfall in housing options
since there are those who want to live in Milliken but are
n ot able to afford rising housing costs. The Town has an
o pportunity to diversify its housing stock, which would
support cost burdened residents and provide further
housing options for the growing Milliken population. As
new families and young professionals move to Town, they
will have more options when selecting places to live, which
would support the diversity of lifestyles, age ranges, and
families looking to call Milliken home.
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Intersecting Growth Boundaries
The State of Colorado dictates that a comprehensive plan
may address issues within a town's existing boundaries
and identify opportunities to annex unincorporated areas
adjacent to the planning area. The municipality may plan
for growth and development up to three miles outside
of the current boundary, according to Colorado Revised
Statues (§ 31-23-206). Priority areas within this three-mile
buffer are often identified with an urban growth area
or boundary. As discussed in the Land Use and Growth
section, vlilliken's growth boundary intersects with those
of Johnstown, Gilcrest, Greeley, Mead, Platteville, and
Evans. The Town can use its revised 2023 Urban Growth
Boundary (page ##) to focus on priority areas of annexation
initially, targeting areas which would create the best
neighborhoods for future residents.
Owner -Occupied Households Experiencing Cost -Burden (2020)
.J..
22.T
30% or More of Income on Housing
18.3%
15.6%
13.9%
30-49% of Income on Housing
Household Payment Bracket
■ Milliken si Weld County ■ Colorado
8.7%
9.4041
8.8%
Rental Households Experiencing Cost -Burden (2020)
50% or More of Income on Housing
o 50`x%
(1)
0 40%
x
a 30067
n,
cc
20%
a
� 10%
a
cb • 0%
48
47 1 s>
48.7%
21.3%
30% or More of Income on Housing
15.6
24:94b
25 60./a_..
3C-49% of Income on Housing
Household Payment Bracket
t7
■ Milliken ■ Weld County ■ Colorado
Oak
50% or More of Income on Housing
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
COMMUNITY WIDE
POLICIES
The following policies apply broadly to the residential
land uses within the Town and its Urban Growth Area.
Promote a Variety of Housing Types
Milliken has crafted itself into a family -oriented community,
placing great value on the safety and pleasantness of
its neighborhoods. As this reputation has grown, so has
its population. People searching for these values in the
Front Range are well -served by choosing Milliken. The
Town's current development trends favor single family
homes, which has been the established residential pattern
for generations of Milliken's residents. As noted in the
Community Profile (page 13), Milliken's median age of 34.1
is younger than Weld County and the state, and the Town
also has a higher population in the under -five years old
cohort. This is reflected in the information gleaned from
community outreach that the Town is experiencing an
influx of young professionals and new families seeking out
Milliken. Additionally, outreach participants indicated a
need for more housing affordability for people in all stages
of life. As new families and people seek out Milliken, the
housing needs will change, as they may seek out smaller
lot homes, duplexes, townhomes, or other higher -density
forms of housing to address rising housing costs and
overall costs of living. The Town can consider the following
recommendations to continue to promote housing variety:
► Evaluate the Land Use Code and consider potential
changes to allow for more flexibility in lot sizes and unit
types.
► Encourage smaller lot homes, duplexes, or other higher -
density forms of housing in the neighborhoods around
Downtown Milliken.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and NFighborhoods
► Continue to ensure land use and building permit
processes make it easy for property owners to build
townhomes, duplexes, and smaller lot single-family
homes.
► Ensure that there are existing areas within the Urban
Growth Area boundary that are zoned for and have
infrastructure in place to support all types of housing
desired in the Town as it grows.
► Work with the Milliken Housing Authority, appropriate
regional agencies, and local home builders to create
a first-time homebuyer program that includes existing
homes and new construction.
► Provide housing types that support different age and
stage -of -life residents, such as limited multi -family,
starter homes, and larger ranch style homes.
► Continue to permits ADUs in the Town's residential
zoning districts. Ensure they align with the Traditional
and Mixed Residential land use designations on the
Future Land Use Map.
► Evaluate proposals for residential development
(including Single -Family Residential and Mixed
Residential) within the Urban Growth Area to ensure
adequate access to resources.
► Encourage a range of housing types and sizes in new
neighborhoods and in areas that are well -served by
existing services and infrastructure.
49
Continue to Support
Neighborhood Connectivity
Milliken has already emphasized neighborhood connectivity
in its newer subdivisions, ensuring they are accessible
via automobile and via pedestrian and bikeway or
trail. Roadways and other physical barriers can lead to
disconnected neighborhoods. As the Town grows, there is
an opportunity to ensure that its neighborhoods continue to
be connected to one another and the rest of the community.
50
As the Town continues to expand, future development can
assist with creating connected neighborhoods through the
following:
► To the extent possible, maintain the grid street system
in and around the Downtown and the Town's original
n eighborhoods to provide high levels of roadway
linkages.
► Discourage the use of cul-de-sacs; however, should they
occur due to environmental or other design constraints,
e nsure pedestrian access is provided to adjacent
neighborhoods using cut-throughs.
D. Ensure new residential developments provide
n on -motorized links to existing and planned trails.
► Require new developments to connect to existing stub
streets to extend the existing vehicular and pedestrian
n etwork.
► Work with developers to continue to integrate internal
trail systems within new subdivisions, and connectivity
to adjacent subdivisions.
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Preserve Town Identity
Milliken's small-town character is one of its most attractive
qualities. The sense of community created when people live
in small towns is unique, and the Town can take steps to
ensure the feeling remains as expansion and growth occur.
villiken's existing neighborhoods have defined its character
since the Town's establishment and should continue to be
the standard for new developments. Elements such as lot
size, open spaces, and sidewalk connectivity help create a
neighborly and safe environment for vlilliken's residents, and
developers should be encouraged to continue to include
these elements in new subdivisions as the Town grows.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and P4cighUo: hoods
Especially as the Town considers higher density
developments to provide housing for the growing
population, maintaining these elements is of utmost
importance for Villiken to retain Milliken's sense of place.
Some strategies to preserve the important aspects of
Milliken's neighborhoods are as follows:
► Ensure that new developments adhere to existing
codes regarding parks/open space requirements.
► Continue to perform code inspections and enforce
standards throughout Town, including vacant lots, trash
bins, and refuse in yards.
► Explore offering Town -led programs and support other
organizations' efforts and programs to encourage
property maintenance and/or rehabilitation.
► Ensure new or infill development is consistent with
the community's vision for its various neighborhoods
through existing design guidelines.
► Reach out to existing neighborhood groups to promote
communication as well as facilitate the creation of new
neighborhood organizations.
51
Encourage Long Term Residency
Residents frequently mention that the Town's appeal is such
that once someone lives in Milliken, it's hard to imagine
living anywhere else. Residents have expressed a desire
to live in Milliken for their entire life, leading to a need for
housing that serves a population well into their senior
years. Evidence of this claim can be found in the changing
population demographics of Milliken, as the 65+ year old
population of Milliken more than doubled between 2010
and 2020.
As Milliken continues to expand, it must ensure its housing
stock can accommodate older residents that want to age
within the community. The existing market conditions make
Milliken a desirable and more affordable location to live in
compared to other municipalities in Weld County.
52
The 65+ population
of Milliken more than
doubled between
2010 and 2020.
•-igin#in 1I,
;r . .� sr
The median home in Milliken is valued approximately 6%
lower than the County per DOLA's 2022 data. Given both
market and demographic forces, the Town should consider
the following:
► Encourage the development of new housing units
designed to accommodate the specific needs of seniors
and others who might have limited mobility. Such
features could include main floor bedrooms, wider
hallways/doors, and level entries without steps.
► Continue to collaborate with the Milliken Housing
Authority on efforts to increase the number of housing
units affordable and accessible to seniors.
► Encourage a diverse housing mix to include smaller -
scale homes and units that cater to residents looking to
downsize.
► Evaluate incentives for age -targeted development,
particularly for lower income households, to ensure
that viable housing options are provided to Milliken's
senior population.
► Permit and encourage senior housing in areas near
Milliken's Downtown and commercial areas to
maximize access to daily goods and services.
► Integrate senior housing within existing neighborhoods
through access management and building design, to
ensure they are not located in isolated areas with no
relationship to other uses or activities.
► Work with the Weld County Area Agency on Aging to
ensure older adults within the community have access
to the necessary care and services to allow them to
remain in their homes and the Milliken community as
they age.
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Increase Residential Uses in
Old Town and the Downtown -
area Neighborhoods
The core residential neighborhoods around Downtown
Milliken present many opportunities for an increase in
housing options. Given Downtown's status as the Town's
center, and the Broad Street primary economic corridor, the
Town can encourage higher density development in this
area to increase activity and contribute to the community
character. Adding mixed -use buildings and encouraging
development in available lots near Broad Street will support
the Town's existing commercial uses in the main commercial
district and can increase attraction for new commercial uses.
Additionally, increased density would add diversity to the
housing stock, supporting the growing population of the
Town.
250%
200%
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The Town should consider the following to increase
residential uses in Old Town and the Downtown -area
neighborhoods:
► Include diverse housing types that include a mix of
single-family detached, single-family attached, and
multi -family dwellings.
► Continue to allow multiple land uses, through MU -C -D
Districts, that accommodate residential interspersed
with some retail and commercial businesses in the Old
Town and Downtown -area Neighborhoods.
► Encourage developers to consider available infill lots
around Downtown Milliken to increase housing density.
► Offer incentives such as fee reductions for infill homes
built on vacant lots in Old Town or Downtown area
neighborhoods (Traditional Residential and Downtown
areas on the Future Land Use Map).
10 -Year Change in Age Distribution
(2010-2020)
22-43%--
43.8%39.8% 0 29.3%
27_41x.11.5% .--2.2.9 •G ._ •.-. __ 11-5%— 213% -- •- 21:3% - a
- 7.3% 3.9 /0
-3.3%
—66.0%
47.9%
28 0%
'73:4%• — a •-
57.5/fl
Under 5 years
5-19
• Milliken
„' ,
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and Neighborhoods
20-34 35-54
Age Distribution
Weld County
• Colorado
55-64
65+
53
Conservation Design
As vlilliken expands its residential footprint, it should
encourage development that prioritizes open space
preservation, integrating natural elements to manage flood
and stormwater. This development pattern not only fosters
open space preservation, but it reinforces the character
of the community. To maximize and preserve open space
as development occurs, the Town should implement the
following:
► Require and incentivize conservation design and cluster
development that preserves sensitive natural areas by
allowing greater development density in other portions
of the site.
► Consider density bonuses in rural residential areas
(currently, all residential subdivisions are required to
dedicate a minimum of 12% of the gross land area for
public parks, trails, open space, or other civic purposes
at the time of subdivision) in exchange for increased
open space site preservation.
► Continue requiring trails, useful open spaces, and
parks throughout new development areas through
dedications and easements set aside as part of the
development review process.
54
litiMalle • So. • 4 •
i
I
Conventional Subdivision
0ppeeitSpace, Rural, or
Blurt Conservation
Conservation Design Subdivision
OBllutt conservation
or
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
,9 1 ,.. !t'! [ 1`111 . �1.0.-sa � „r-.L�r�!'ls�..�i
Rural Residential Growth Areas
Given the population and housing growth projections,
Milliken has sufficient undeveloped land to support future
residents for the duration of this Comprehensive Plan
Update (20 years) and beyond. While the Plan promotes
contiguous development that is focused near Downtown
and around its established subdivisions, it should not
preclude development outside of these primary growth
areas. As development occurs outside the established
municipal boundary, the Town can consider the following:
► Continue to work witn local service providers
and districts to ensure impact fees within these
areas adequately reflect the effect of locating new
development further from existing service areas.
► Require the use of conservation design to preserve
open space areas.
► Ensure development within the growth areas reflects
the principles described for neighborhood connectivity
and housing diversity as described above.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and Neighborhoods
55
HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
FRAMEWORK
1 State Highway 257 and
Weld County Road 52
This area, located in the northwest part of the Town limits,
was identified as a future residential development in the
2015 Comprenensive Plan. Just north, State Highway
257 and Weld County Road 52 is planned for a future
commercial node. Due to the northern half of this area
being within unincorporated Weld County, this provides
a prime location for annexation granting the Town the
authority to encourage residential growth with more dense
housing types. The housing types that the area should
include consist of single-family homes, in the short-
term and townhomes, duplexes, and multi -family, in the
long-term. This added residential development should
consequently support any commercial development that
is being planned for.
2 Flack Farms
3
56
This area, located in the northeast part of the Town limits,
was identified as a future residential development in the
2015 Comprehensive Plan. The Town should establish a
land use pattern which pursues higher density residential
cevelopment next to commercial areas. Any development
within the annexation area should be a wide mix of
residential types and should consider including senior
housing. While a portion of this area has been annexed
into the Town of Milliken, the Town should consider the
annexation of the entire area, including the area planned
for commercial development.
River Junction
This area, located just north of Broad Street along
State Highway 257, has many constraints that any
future development needs to consider. First, the site
is bisected east to west by the Little Thompson River
and Big Thompson River and northwest to southeast
by the railroad. Second, a majority of the site is within
a floodplain. The only area not within a floodplain
are fields in the northwestern portion of the site. Any
future residential development should be designed to
incorporate conversation practices to mitigate impacts.
The Big and Little Thompson Rivers should also be
integrated into any future development's design to ensure
that it is preserved and maintained.
4 Downtown Milliken
This area, located in the heart of Milliken, is the core of
the community. Its grid pattern and smaller lots promote
walking, create superb connectivity, and allow for higher
density. This provides an opportunity to further solidify
its influence on the Town. It can do this by encouraging
mixed -use developments that feature multi -family living
on the upper floors. The Town should also encourage infill
development that is compatible with the current Town
design.
5
Eastern Edge
This area, located between Highway 60 and Weld County
Road 25, is planned for commercial along its northern and
eastern edges. It is bisected southwest to northeast by the
railroad, but it can help serve as a transition from proposed
mixed residential to single-family residential. The
residential development pattern should follow the pattern
of the neighborhood immediately west surrounding
Sappington Park.
6 South Edge
This area, directly south of Downtown Milliken, is three
square miles of land and provides the greatest opportunity
for new residential development. It is already adjacent
to existing neighborhoods and was identified as future
residential development in the 2015 Comprehensive Plan.
The new development should incorporate surrounding
natural features while adding new ones such as parks
and open space. It should also be well connected to
surrounding existing residential, offering a variety of
residential unit types and incorporate senior housing
where possible. Given the size of the area, a secondary
roadway system should be established; while Country
Road 19, 44, 21, 23, and Inez Boulevard should serve as the
arterial roadways.
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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Housing Framework
0 Housing Framework Areas
Rural Residential
Single -Family Residential
Mixed Residential
Traditional Residential
Downtown
Context
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Floodplain
Rivers and Streams
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57
Housing and Neighborhoods
Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific action.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
R
EGO
M
V
E
ND
ED ACTION
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Vatrix is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
TI
V
E
P
R
0
R
COST
Promote a Variety of Housing Types
Evaluate the Land Use Code to allow for more flexibility in lot sizes and unit Short-term
types.
Encourage smaller lot homes, duplexes, or other higher -dens ty forms of
housing in the neighborhoods around Downtown Milliken.
Continue to ensure land use and building permit processes make it easy
for property owners to build townhomes, duplexes, and smaller lot single-
family homes.
Ensure that there are existing areas within the Urban Growth Area
boundary that are zoned for and have infrastructure in place to support all
types of housing desired.
Work with the Milliken Housing Authority, appropriate regional agencies,
and local home builders to create a first-time homebuyer program.
Provide housing types that support different age and stage -o --life resi-
dents.
Continue to permits ADUs in the Town's residential zoning districts.
Evaluate proposals for residential development (including Single -Family
Residential and Mixed Residential).
O ngoing
O ngoing
Mid-term
Short-term
O ngoing
it .
Encourage a range of housing types and sizes in new neighborhoods and
in areas that are well -served by existing services and infrastructure.
58
Short-term
Short-term
O ngoing
1
2
1
1
2
3
3
1
1
$
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
RECO
\/VEN
DED ACTION
TIME
P
PI
O
PITY
COST
Continue to Support Neighborhood Connectivity
To the extent possible, maintain the grid street system in and around the
Downtown and the Town's original neighborhoods to provide high levels
of roadway linkages.
Discourage the use of cul-de-sacs, but when necessary, ensure pedestrian
access is provided to adjacent neighborhoods using cut-throughs.
Ensure new residential developments provide non -motorized links to
existing and planned trails.
Require new developments to connect to existing stub streets.
Work with developers to continue to integrate internal trail systems within
new subdivisions, and connectivity to adjacent subdivisions.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
3
2
2
3
Preserve Town Identity
Ensure that new developments adhere to existing codes regarding parks/
open space requirements.
Continue to perform code inspections and enforce standards throughout
Town, including vacant lots, trash bins, and refuse in yards.
Explore offering Town -led programs and support other organizations'
efforts and programs to encourage property maintenance and/or rehabili-
tation.
Ensure new or infill development is consistent with the community's vision
Reach out to existing neighborhood groups to promote communication as
well as facilitate the creation of new neighborhood organizations.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Short-term
1
3
3
1
3
Encourage Long Term Residency
Encourage the development of new housing units designed to accom-
modate the specific needs of seniors and others who might have limited
mobility.
Continue to collaborate with the Milliken Housing Authority on efforts to
increase the number of housing units affordable and accessible to seniors
Mid-term
Encourage a diverse housing mix to include smaller -scale homes and units
that cater to residents looking to downsize.
Evaluate incentives for age -targeted development to ensure that viable
housing options are provided to Milliken's senior population.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
Permit and encourage senior housing in areas near Milliken's Downtown
and commercial areas to maximize access to daily goods and services.
Integrate senior housing within existing neighborhoods through access
management and building design.
Work with the Weld County Area Agency on Aging to ensure older adults
within the community have access to necessary care and services.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Housing and Neighborhoods
O ngoing
Long-term
O ngoing
Short-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
2
1
2
$$
59
RECOMMENDED ACTION
TI
ME
PRIORITY COST
Increase Residential Uses in Old Town and the
Downtown -area Nei • hborhoods
Include diverse housing types that include a mix of single-family detached,
single-family attached, and multi -family dwellings.
Continue to allow multiple land uses, through MU -C -D Districts, that
accommodate residential interspersed with some retail and commercial
businesses in the Old Town and Downtown -area Neighborhoods.
Encourage developers to consider available infill lots around Downtown
Milliken to increase housing density.
Offer incentives such as fee reductions for infill homes built on vacant lots
in Old Town or Downtown area neighborhoods.
O ngoing
Short-term
O ngoing
Short-term
1
1
$$
$$
$$
Conservation Design
Incentivize conservation design and cluster development that preserves
sensitive natural areas.
Consider density bonuses in rural residential areas in exchange for
increased open space site preservation.
Continue requiring trails, useful open spaces, and parks throughout new
development areas.
O ngoing
Short-term
O ngoing
3
3
1
$$
$$
$
Rural Residential Growth Areas
Continue to work with local service providers and districts to ensure
impact fees within these areas adequately reflect the effect of locating new
development further from existing service areas.
Require the use of conservation design to preserve open space areas.
Ensure development within the growth areas reflects the principles
described for neighborhood connectivity and housing diversity.
60
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
1
3
3
$$
Housing and Neighborhoods I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
TRANSPORTAT
ON
Milliken's transportation system includes a network of roadways, trails, and
sidewalks that provide access to local goods, services, employment, and recre-
ation. This system is critica in supporting land use and development as well as
residential quality of life. The Transportation and Mobility Chapter outlines the
Town's existing system and provides both short- and long-term recommenda-
tions to accommodate projected traffic growth while expanding non -motorized
transportation options.
63
64
A VISION FOR TRANSPORTATION
Milliken will boast excellent internal connectivity while capitalizing on its prime location
in the region. The Town's location six miles east of 1-25 and six miles west of Highway 85, along
Highway 60 will continue to draw traffic from across Northern Colorado and the Front Range.
The Town will see this as an opportunity and continue improving mobility and connectivity.
Working with CDOT, yield County, and the North Front Range MPO, the Town will ensure that
its corridors and roadway connections efficiently connect Milliken to the broader region. The
Town's focus on "people -powered" bike and pedestrian connectivity will eliminate gaps in the
sidewalk and trail system and encourage regional connections to neighboring communities for
all modes.
Goals for Transportation
A multimodal transportation system that accommodates new and existing development, provides safe and efficient access
for all ages and abilities, and promotes public health and quality of life will be key to Milliken's growth and development
over the coming decades. The Town's goals for transportation are to:
► Create a transportation system that accommodates the Town's growing population while supporting all modes of trans-
portation.
► Improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity throughout Town and encourage connections to neighboring
communities.
Transportation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
This section includes a summary of Milliken's current
transportation conditions and opportunities.
Existing Street System
Milliken's roadway network is the primary transportation
infrastructure carrying travelers to and throughout the
community, and its corridors are essential to the daily
function of the Town. State Highway 60 is an east -west
state highway and is the key route both in and out of
Milliken. State Highway 60 is also named Broad Street
within Milliken. State Highway 257 is a north -south state
highway and the main access point on the northwest side
of Milliken. Both highways are key to providing access to
the Town. Two Rivers Parkway is the main access on the
northeast side of Milliken.
Dispersed throughout the Town are arterial and collector
roadways that branch off the main highways. Important
north -south arterials are Quentine Avenue, Alice Avenue,
and Weld County Road 25. Important east -west arterials
are Weld County Road 46.5 and Inez Boulevard. These
roadways feed into the collector and local roadways giving
access to the local homes and businesses.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Transportation
Functional Classification
All streets within Milliken are classified according to a
hierarchical system that is based on elements such as the
number of travel lanes, traffic volumes, level of access,
and mobility. Per the 2008 Milliken Transportation Master
Plan, the Town has roadways broken into the following
functional classifications: Major Arterial, Minor Arterial,
Major Collector, and Local Streets. These classifications
relate to the function of the streets. Lower order streets
function primarily as access to individual lots, and higher
order streets function primarily for mobility (expeditious
movement of people and goods).
65
Little Thomilson R i'
rosage
I
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Scale: 1:60,000
66
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•
•
•
Road Classification
Ole State Highway
Cial Major Arterial
Minor Arterial
Collector
O Traffic Stops
Context
Urban Growth Area
Town Boundary
2 Rivers and Streams
Transportation } Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Jurisdiction
Trails
Certain roadways within Milliken fall under the purview
of the Town, Weld County, or the Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT), and infrastructure projects
involving these roads require close coordination
among agencies. The Town's design and management
influence on State Highway 60 and State Highway 257 is
limited by the policies, requirements, regulations, and
recommendations established by the State. The Town
owns and maintains over forty-seven miles of roadways.
The Town of Johnstown is located directly to the west of
Milliken. Weld County and Johnstown own and maintain
all other roadways immediately outside of Milliken town
limits.
CDOT currently owns and maintains the existing traffic
signals along State Highway 60 and State Highway 257
throughout Milliken. The Town's intersections are primarily
stop -controlled.
Sidewalks
Throughout the Town, sidewalks typically reside on
public property but are the responsibility of the adjacent
landowner. In some neighborhoods, the sidewalk networks
can be found to be complete and well connected such as
in and around Downtown. While most neighborhoods in
the community are well -served with sidewalks, there are
portions of Milliken's sidewalk network that are incomplete.
Separated by spans of rural roadway sections, the Town
lacks continuity for a pedestrian traveler to traverse all its
reaches.
The Town worked with CDOT to add intersection bump -
outs, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing signage along
Broad Street (State Highway 60) from from Quentine Ave/257
to east of Centennial Drive. The Town also completed a Trail
and Sidewalk Gap Analysis in 2015. Several cr tical gaps were
identified, which the Town has been working to address.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan l Transportatior
The main trail that runs through the Town is along Broad
Street (State Highway 60). A multi -use trail system also
parallels the Union Pacific Railroad on both the northeast
and southwest sides from Alice Avenue to Inez Boulevard.
River corridor trails are planned along the Big Thompson
River, South Platte River, and Little Thompson Riven
The Town completed a trail system along Broad Street
(State Highway 60) from Alice Avenue to Centennial Drive.
A crosswalk was added on the south side of the Broad and
Alice intersection. This project completed a critical gap
between Downtown and Centennial Park.
Railroads
Two railroads (the Great Western Railway and the
Union Pacific Railroad) have railroad lines that bisect
the Town of Milliken. While the Great Western Railway
(GWR) line parallels SH 60 on the north, the Union Pacific
Railroad (UPRR) line runs diagonally through Town.
Another UPRR line parallels the South Platte River with
a general southwest to northeast alignment. This line,
in combination with the South Platte River, creates an
obstacle for roadway connectivity in the Milliken area. All
railroad crossings in the Town are at -grade crossings. While
several of the railroad crossings in Town limits, particularly
in the developed areas, have lights, gates and bells, other
railroad crossings have only signs.
The Town has added intersection
bump -outs, crosswalks, and pedestrian
crossing signage along Broad Street.
67
COMMUNITY -WIDE
POLICIES
The following policies apply to transportation
within the Town and its Urban Growth Area.
Accommodate Active Transportation
Active transportation focuses on utilizing the body as a
means of travel to reach a destination point. Common
examples include cycling, skateboarding, running, jogging.
and walking. Benefits of these methods of transport include
a healthier population and reduced emissions resulting
from fewer total vehicle miles traveled. The ability to easily
participate in these activities is a quality -of -life measurement
fora community. Active transportation is best encouraged
by easy access to a well-connected system. Villiken's
bicycle and pedestrian system includes sidewalks, bike lane
markings and routes, and trails.
Continued implementation of a multimodal transportation
network is a key step in achieving the Town's goals. This
will ensure that the street system balances the needs
of all intended users, including pedestrians, bicyclists,
automobiles, and transit riders. The Town should consider
the following:
68
► Continue to utilize the development review process
for private development projects as well as public
improvements to the greatest extent possible to ensure
inclusion of sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes during the
planning and design of those projects.
► Continue to design and construct new pedestrian and
bike facilities to address gaps identified in the 2015 Trail
and Sidewalk Gap Analysis.
► Expand and diversify trail offerings to support Milliken's
natural beauty, including implementation of the
recommendations of 2022 Milliken Parks, Trails, and
Open Space Master Plan.
Sharing the Road
The Town can consider implementing additional bike lanes
throughout town limits and into neighboring communities.
These potential bike lanes could be striped onto existing
pavement so that minimal improvements are necessary.
Due to restrictions with existing pavement width, these
bike lines would not be protected with physical separation.
Bike lanes, whether protected or unprotected, could foster
employment and regional connectivity. Potential pilot
projects include the following:
► Broad Street between Quentine Avenue and Kathleen
Avenue
► Quentine Avenue between Broad Street and Green
Street
► Green Street between Weld County Road 46.5 and
Marjorie Avenue
Transportation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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69
Connect with the Region
Milliken is a member of North Front Range Metropolitan
Planning Organization (NFRMPO) and will continue to
work with neighboring communities, Weld County, and the
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to develop
regional transportation options. For example, while the
Town currently lacks transit service, systems around the
region include those operated by the cities of Fort Collins,
Loveland, Greeley, and Berthoud. Other transportation
services active in the region include the CDOT Bustang,
FLEX bus route, Poudre Express bus route, VanGo commuter
vanpool, and 60+ Ride for Weld County.
As Milliken grows, strategic planning and connection to
the region's systems will connect residents to the rest of
Milliken and nearby communities. The Town can consider
the following recommendations to connect to the regional
network:
► Continue to participate in NFRVPO and support
implementation of the 2045 Regional Transportation
Plan, 2021 Active Transportation Plan, and the 2045
Regional Transit Element.
► Work with the NFRMPO, surrounding communities,
Weld County, and other appropriate agencies to
identify potential transit connections to other northern
Colorado communities and regional transit services
(including Bustang).
► Participate in NFRMPO and support implementation of
the 2045 Regional Transit Element.
► Work with Greeley Evans Transit (GET) as route
expansion occurs to connect Milliken to the region with
new bus routes.
► Work with Via Mobility to provide paratransit
(transportation for people who are unable to use
regular, fixed route transit service) and accessible trips
for older adults and people with disabilities, as needed,
in Milliken.
70
Continue Previous and
Ongoing Planning Efforts
The following policies are recommended in relation to
previous planning efforts:
► Continue to implement the recommendations of
previous plans and planning studies, including the
2022 Milliken Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan,
Milliken Transportation Master Plan, and Milliken Trail &
Sidewalk Gap Analysis study.
► Update previous plans and planning studies periodically
such as the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which is
scheduled for 2024.
► Ensure the TMP includes an updated analysis of
alignments for Broad Street and the need for an State
Highway 60 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL)
Study.
Transportation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Complete Streets
Complete streets are a form of right-of-way design that
accommodates all users in street design, beyond the
primary consideration of vehicle movement. A "complete
street" contains a sidewalk, buffer/terrace, bicycle
infrastructure whether either shared or separated, and lanes
for motor vehicles. When these techniques are implemented
network -wide, bicyclists and pedestrians enjoy increased
connectivity across the grid. Complete streets policies
offer benefits such as increasing public health and safety,
increasing citizen opportunity through enhanced mobility
and accessibility, and can also help mitigate congestion and
air pollution.
Complete streets implementation may be one of the best
transportation investments a community can make, offering
an often -low-cost solution to transportation goals while
supporting broader community initiatives. Most importantly,
they can reduce injurious crashes for all users. By making
the most of small investments, supporting economic
development, and encouraging multi -modal travel,
communities across the country have seen returns for their
investments in complete streets. The following elements are
recommended for consideration when drafting a complete
street policy:
► Implement complete streets in Milliken either Town -
wide or case -by -case basis.
► Incorporate complete streets in planning and design
processes.
► Design new roads for all users including vehicles,
pedestrians, and bicyclists.
► Use flexible lane widths to create more space for bicycle
lanes and wider sidewalks.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Transportation
► Implement a complete streets policy as street
maintenance occurs.- opportunities to assign lane
widths on a roadway or street do not have to occur with
new construction or reconstruction projects.
► Work with CDOT as reconstruction and resurfacing
projects occur, which allow for changes to the width
allocations, usually with little or no cost by shifting the
lane markings.
► Consider consulting the NACTO Urban Street Design
Guide and NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide for best
practices in street design that safely and effectively
accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists.
► Ensure at -grade rail crossings have lights, gates, and
bells for pedestrians and bicyclist safety, as well as for
motor vehicles.
Complete streets
implementation is a low-cost
solution to transportation
goals while supporting broader
community initiatives.
71
Modernize Transportation
Continued investment in a modern transportation system
is necessary as technology continues to evolve. Advance-
ments in technology affect transportation components like
pavement, traffic operation, traffic signals, and safety. The
following policies are recommended for modernization of
the transportation system:
► Continue to pave streets throughout the Town limits as
development occurs.
► Continue the Town's Street Maintenance Program.
► Work with CDOT to continue to research and implement
measures to slow traffic along major thoroughfares.
► Minimize the impacts of local and regional traffic
traveling through Town, especially along Broad Street
(State Highway 60) through the Downtown and around
schools by providing travel mode and routing options
and designing for slower speeds.
► Speed limits on Broad Street (State Highway 60)
were adjusted based on the CDOT's 2023 Traffic
Engineering School and Speed Study.
► School zones are currently posted at 15 MPH.
► Continue to conduct safety studies at intersections with
high accident rates.
► As a temporary solution, use recycled asphalt for road
paving until further development occurs.
72
Accommodate Development
and Growth
Adequate roadways are necessary to support development
and the growing population. The Town will need to plan
for and implement a transportation system that will
accommodate the planned land use pattern and ensure the
impacts of new developments on the transportation system
in Milliken are properly mitigated.
Additional recommendations include the design and
construction of pedestrian friendly, attractive streets with
sidewalks and bike lanes to ensure their proper function
and reinforcement of Milliken's small-town character.
Dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs should be avoided. Where
appropriate, the Town and developers could extend the
traditional gridded street pattern that provides connectivity
between neighborhooas.
Transportation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
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73
Transportation Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific action.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
PECOM
VENDED ACTION
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Matrix is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
TI
E
P
R
O
R
ITV COST
Accommodate Active Transportation
Continue to utilize the development review process for private develop-
ment projects as well as public improvements.
O ngoing
Continue to design and construct new pedestrian and bike facilities.
Expand and diversify trail offerings to support Milliken's natural beauty.
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
2
$5
Sharing the Road
Construct a bike lane on Broad Street between Quentine Avenue and
Kathleen Avenue
Construct a bike lane on Quentine Avenue between Broad Street and
Green Street
Construct a bike lane on Green Street between Weld County Road 46.5 and
Marjorie Avenue
Short-term
Short-term
Short-term
5$
$$
5$
Connect with the Region
Continue to participate in NFRMPO and support implementation of the
2045 Regional Transportation Plan, 2021 Active Transportation Plan, and
the 2045 Regional Transit Element.
Work with the NFRMPO, surrounding communities, Weld County, and
other appropriate agencies to identify potential transit connections to
other northern Colorado communities and regional transit services.
Work with Greeley Evans Transit (GET) as route expansion occurs to
connect Milliken to the region with new bus routes.
Work with Via Mobility to provide paratransit (transportation for people
who are unable to use regular, fixed route transit service) and accessible
trips for older adults and people with disabilities, as needed, in Milliken.
74
O ngoing
Mid-term
Long-term
O ngoing
2
3
$55
$$
Transportation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
RECO
V
M
ENDED ACTION
TIME
PRIORITY COST
Continue Previous and Ongoing Planning Efforts
Continue to implement the recommendations of previous plans and
planning studies.
Update previous plans and planning studies periodically.
Ensure the TMP includes an updated analysis of alignments for Broad
Street and the need for an State Highway 60 Planning and Environmental
Linkages (PEL) Study.
O ngoing
Ongoing
O ngoing
1
1
3
Complete Streets
Implement complete streets in Milliken either Town -wide or case -by -case
basis.
Incorporate complete streets in planning and design processes.
Design new roads for all users including vehicles, pedestrians, and bicy-
clists.
Use flexible lane widths to create more space for bicycle lanes and wider
sidewalks.
Implement a complete streets policy as street maintenance occurs.
Work with CDOT as reconstruction and resurfacing projects occur, which
allow for changes to the width allocations.
Consider consulting the NACTO Urban Street Design Guide and NACTO
Urban Bikeway Design Guide for best practices in street design.
Ensure at -grade rail crossings have lights, gates, and bells for pedestrians
and bicyclist safety.
Long-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Short-term
Short-term
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
$55
$55
$$$
$55
55$
r-.
$$
$
Modernize Transportation
Continue to pave streets throughout the Town limits.
Continue the Town's Street Maintenance Program.
Work with CDOT to continue to research and implement measures to slow
traffic along major thoroughfares.
Minimize the impacts of local and regional traffic traveling through Town,
especially along Broad Street and around schools.
Continue to conduct safety studies at intersections with high accident
rates.
As a temporary solution, use recycled asphalt for road paving until
further development occurs.
O ngoing
O ngoing
Mid-term
Short-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
1
2
2
2
2
55$
5$
$$
$$
Accommodate Development and Growth
Continue to develop a transportation system that will accommodate
future growth.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Transportation
O ngoing
$$$
75
INFRASTRUCTURE
AND RES L ENCY
Infrastructure for utilities, amenities, and public services is essential to main-
taining the local quality of life and continuing to attract new residents, busi-
nesses, and investments. Infrastructure upgrades and renovations require
long-term planning and coordination. The Infrastructure chapter identifies
policies and recommendations to improve the Town's infrastructure for utili-
ties, amenities, and public services. Additionally, the chapter references DOLA's
Colorado Resiliency Framework and provides policy direction for the Town's
resiliency goals.
77
A VISION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Milliken wilt proactively maintain and invest in priority infrastructure improvements and
extensions. The Town's investment in its water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure as well
as the acquisition of additional water will continue to adequately support established areas
within the municipal boundary. The Town will also work with developers and landowners
to strategically encourage growth and extend infrastructure and dedication of raw water in
a way that is efficient and cost-effective. Recognizing the value of water as a resource and
understanding the cost of infrastructure extension, the Town will lean on land use policies and
its growth strategies to encourage infill and redevelopment, promote the best use of existing
infrastructure, and thoughtfully encourage development within its growth area.
Goals for Infrastructure
Milliken is responsible for majority of the infrastructure system within the municipality including water, wastewater, sani-
tary sewer, and stormwater. As the Town continues to expand and new developments are proposed, it will be necessary to
expand its infrastructure system to meet new demand. Proactive planning for expansion of the infrastructure system can
reduce repair and maintenance costs as well as encourage investment in the Town. The Town's goals for infrastructure are
to:
► Minimize risk and emphasize resiliency in the planning and creation of disaster response and preparedness plan.
► Continued investment in infrastructure, including water, sewer, and drainage, to maintain and support a high quality of
life for resicents and businesses through collaborative efforts and partnerships.
78
Infrastructure I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
This section includes a summary of Milliken's current
infrastructure conditions and opportunities.
Stormwater
Milliken is located to the south of the confluence of the
Big and Little Thompson Rivers and southwest of the
confluence of the South Platte River and Big Thompson
River. The Homestead at Ashton Subdivision and recent
Wiest annexation of the SW4, Sect 28, T5N, and R66W, are
located north of these confluences. The Little Thompson
River is located south of Highway 60 on the west side of the
Town. The Little Thompson crosses State Highway 60 to
the west of State Highway 257 and then drains into the Big
Thompson River to the north of downtown. Floodplains
are associated with each of the three rivers. The Johnstown
Reservoir and Hillsborough Reservoir are located to the
west of the Town.
The Milliken Stormwater Master Plan (2014) included
hydraulic analysis, alternatives analysis, and a
recommended plan for stormwater conveyance in the
Town.
The Town's Public Works Department maintains the
drainage system throughout the Town. These services
include jetting, cleaning, mowing, and burning ditches. The
Town also maintains all the irrigation for the Town lakes.
The Town completed the Josephine Avenue storm sewer
project in 2018, and the Cherry Street drainage project is
scheduled for2023.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Infrastructure
Wastewater
The Town's Water/Wastewater Department maintains
the wastewater collections system by jetting, camera
inspection, and acoustic assessment technology. One third
of the system is inspected each year. The information is
used to prioritize line repairs and replacement. Wastewater
treatment is conducted at the Town's 0.7MGD Milliken
Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Oil and Gas
Weld County has seen tremendous growth in drilling for oil
and natural gas. Wells are located throughout the county,
including in and around Milliken. According to records
from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
(COGCC), as of August 2022, there were 32 productive
wells within town limits. Forty-two wells are shut-in -
meaning that the completed well is not producing but is
mechanically capable of production - and 11 wells are in
the process of being drilled.
PDC Energy has applied for a future comprehensive area
plan (CAP) to the COGCC. The CAP is titled the "Guanella
CAP." The Guanella CAP will ensure the comprehensive
and efficient development and operation of oil and natural
gas resources with PDC as the designated operator. PDC
conducted a process for stakeholder and landowner
input in 2022. This long-range plan will include 22 surface
locations, 450 wells across 33,427 acres and will include
the plugging and abandonment of 600 existing wells and
associated facilities. This will allow PDC to modernize and
minimize the footprint of future development in this area.
The Guanella CAP covers five municipalities, mostly east of
Milliken, west of Evans, and in south Greeley.
79
Potable Water
The Town's Water/Wastewater Department maintains the
Town's distribution system. Water is a scarce resource
in the Northern Front Range region of Colorado, but the
Town currently has three potable water sources. The Town
operates a 0.7MGD Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
Plant (ROWTP). The Town also purchases water from the
City of Greeley and the Central Weld County Water District
(CWCWD). The distribution system is maintained by the
yearly flushing of hydrants and mains. The Town has an
extensive replacement program.
Private Utilities
Xcel Energy provides power, lighting, and natural gas
services for most areas within town limits. Poudre Valley
Rural Electric Association (PVREA) provides power to the
Mad Russian and Mill Iron areas. Internet is provided by
Century Link and Rise Broadband. Expansion of these
services is driven by development and consumer need.
80
•
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Central Weld County
Water Boundary
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Urban Growth Area
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81
COMMUNITY -WIDE
POLICI ES
The following policies apply broadly for resiliency and
infrastructure within the Town and its Urban Growth Area.
Preserve and Protect Valuable
Water Resources
The Town plans to provide efficient, expanded infrastruc-
ture for water, sewer, and drainage to accommodate a
growing population.
The Town will continue to ensure it has the necessary fees
and dedication requirements such as right-of-way, water
rights, and land for public facilities, so that new develop-
ment projects provide the necessary revenue, infrastruc-
ture, and resources to not create an undue burden on the
Town. The Town regularly assesses infrastructure fees to
ensure fees are sufficient to cover costs associated with
new Town improvements.
82
Milliken operates a 0.7
million gallon per day
wastewater treatment plant.
Hillsborough Reservoir Project
The Town is planning to expand water supply at
Hillsborougn Reservoir. Specifically, the Town's request for
the "Dry Creek - Little Thompson River Watershed" project
was funded for a Preliminary Investigation and Feasibility
Report (PIFR). Through the PIFR process the project was
found feasible and is recommended for further funding
to develop a Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment,
with the ultimate goal to create storage for a 1903 decree
from additional water supply for the Town and the basin.
Water Treatment
The Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water treatment plant is planned
to be shutdown permanently in 2023. The Town is reviewing
alternatives, such as blending alluvial well water with
purchased water to compensate for a portion of the lost
potable water production.
Wastewater Treatment
The Town of Milliken operates a 0.7 million gallon per day
wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). As the WWTP reaches
capacity, Town staff and consulting engineers are planning
for a partial plant expansion (re -rating) or full expansion
depending on future growth projections.
Infrastructure I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Incorporate Previous Planning Efforts
and Ongoing Regional Projects
The following policies are recommended in relation to
previous planning efforts:
► Continue to implement the recommendations of
previous plans and planning studies, including the 2014
Town of Milliken Stormwater Master Plan and the 2014
Milliken Water and Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update.
► Continue to develop and utilize long range plans (i.e.,
Stormwater Master Plan and the Water and Sanitary
Sewer Master Plan) to effectively manage the timing
and location of future growth and to inform and help
prioritize infrastructure needs.
► Continue to coordinate with Weld County and
support implementation of the Weld County 2021
vultijurisdictional Hazard Vitigation Plan. Villiken,
Johnstown and Front Range Fire and Rescue District
has hired an Emergency Manager for local emergency
response.
► Continue to evaluate regional infrastructure projects
including the Central Weld Pipeline Project and the new
water treatment plant project as well as the Northern
Integrated Supply Project (NISP).
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Infrastructure
Build a Resilient Community
villiken's many attractive rural, natural, and open
space areas make a significant contribution to the
Town's identity. Part of the community's appeal has
long been its balance between high -quality residential
living blended with well-preserved natural and rural
areas. Like many Front Range communities, Milliken
faces challenges and risks, including long-term water
supply and hazards such as flooding or fire.
For water resiliency efforts, the Town is a participant
in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and
has participated in remapping efforts post the 2013
flood. Milliken participated with Weld County and the
Colorado Water Conservation Board in completing
another review of flood prone areas and will be
adopting the new Flood Insurance Study and Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) in November 2023.
A resilient community approach will serve to protect the
Town's critical natural and rural areas for the coming
decades. The following policies and recommendations are
intended to help Milliken plan to meet the needs of current
and future generations by balancing social, economic, and
fiscal realities with environmental resources, incorporating
resilience, and linking local actions to regional concerns.
83
84
DOLA Colorado Resiliency
Framework
DOLA prepared the Colorado Resiliency
Framework in 2020. The goal of the framework
is to achieve resilient and sustainable
communities by considering six resiliency
planning sectors - Community, Economic,
Health and Social, Housing, Infrastructure,
and Water and Resources - as an integrated
framework. Each of these sectors is an
integral part of a larger, resilient whole.
Hazards that affect one sector are likely to
have direct and indirect effects on other
sectors and, likewise, strategies will have
a cross -sector impact. These sectors are
the lenses through which municipalities
should view resiliency throughout Colorado,
each seeking to implement solutions that
provide benefits across multiple sectors.
2020
. Colorado
RESILIENCY
Framework
Disaster Planning Efforts
The following policies are recommended for minimizing risk
and emphasizing resiliency for disasters:
► Identify and inventory essential Town infrastructure and
facilities located in the 100 -year floodplain or in other
areas prone to natural or geologic hazards. If any are
found to be at risk, develop mitigation strategies and
redundancies/back-up systems, or consider relocation.
► To the extent possible, prevent the storage or manufac-
ture of toxic or hazardous materials, chemicals, or waste
in hazard prone areas (publicly and privately owned),
including those located in the 100 -year floodplain. Also,
participate in local review of the State's hazardous truck
routing plans and proposed routes.
► Continue to identify and implement mitigation
strategies and projects to reduce the risks posed by
knovvn hazards to residents and property owners.
Include projects or recommendations listed in the
Stormvvater Master Plan and the Weld County 2021
Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
► Continue to participate in DOLA's Planning for Hazards
programs.
► Update standards so that existing and new infrastruc-
ture can withstand a greater degree of stress or damage
from natural disasters. For example, ensure that all
river and stream crossings are designed to accommo-
date flows and velocities of a 100 -year flood event,
or greater. Also, ensure that all stormwater drainage
and conveyance systems are able to accommodate
discharges from at least 100 -year storm events.
► Apply DOLA's Colorado Resiliency Framework (2020)
which establishes six resiliency sectors to address local
hazards.
Infrastructure I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Protecting Essential Infrastructure
The following policies are recommended for creating and
implementing redundant systems to protect essential
infrastructure:
► Ensure the Town, first responders, and residents are
prepared to respond to potential hazards or natural
disasters. The Town's newly hired Emergency Manager
will update and maintain the Town's Emergency
Response Plan on a regular basis and will include the
community in these updates.
► Maintain police force level of service to ensure the
safety of the community.
► Continue to support the Front Range Fire and Rescue
District to ensure preservation of life and property
through fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous
materials response, and emergency medical services
support. As the community builds south of the Platte
River, the Town should support the Platteville-Gilcrest
Fire District.
► Work with internet service providers and neighboring
communities to ensure the Town is served with reliable,
affordable high-speed broadband internet service.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Infrastructure
Community Engagement in
Disaster Planning Efforts
The following policies are recommended for community
engagement in disaster planning efforts:
► Support education and outreach efforts in the commu-
nity to educate and inform residents of disaster
response procedures.
► Ensure such efforts include information about where
residents can receive safety and evacuation information
during and after an emergency or disaster.
► Identify and develop multiple channels through which
first responders, the Town, and the public can commu-
nicate with one another. Ensure redundancies exist in
the system.
Directing Disaster Resilient
Development
The following policies are recommended for directin
development into disaster resilient areas:
► Discourage development from locating in areas char-
acterized by natural or geologic hazards. Avoid, to the
extent possible, Town investments in infrastructure and
facilities in areas characterized by natural or geologic
hazards. Should such investments be necessary, ensure
that projects use best practices for mitigating risks and
protecting the health and safety of residents.
► Determine appropriate alternative uses for flood -prone
lands acquired by the Town. Ensure that development
does not alter or impact the floodplain, floodway or
natural channel of the rivers flowing through the Town.
85
86
Infrastructure Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific action.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
RECD
V
M
ENDED ACTION
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Matrix is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
TI
ME
PRIORITY COST
Preserve and Protect Valuable Water Resources
Continue to implement the recommendations of previous plans and
planning studies.
Continue to develop and utilize long range plans to effectively manage
the timing and location of future growth and to inform and help prioritize
infrastructure needs.
Continue to coordinate with Weld County and support implementation of
the Weld County 2021 Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Continue to evaluate regional infrastructure projects.
O ngoing
O ngoing
Ongoing
1
1
O ngoing
1
3
55$
5$
$$
$55
Build a Resilient Community
Continue to implement the recommendations of previous plans and plan-
ning studies, including the 2014 Town of Milliken Stormwater Master Plan
and the 2014 Milliken Water and Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update.
Continue to develop and utilize long range plans (i.e., Stormwater Master
Plan and the Water and Sanitary Sewer Master Plan) to effectively manage
the timing and location of future growth and to inform and help prioritize
infrastructure needs.
Continue to coordinate with Weld County and support implementation of
the Weld County 2021 Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Milliken,
Johnstown and Front Range Fire and Rescue District has hired an Emer-
gency Manager for local emergency response.
Continue to evaluate regional infrastructure projects including the Central
Weld Pipeline Project and the new water treatment plant project as well as
the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP).
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
1
1
1
1
$
Infrastructure I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
R ECO
MENDED ACTION
TI
ME
PRIORI
Y COST
Disaster Planning Efforts
Identify and inventory essential Town infrastructure and facilities located
in the 100 -year floodplain or in other areas prone to natural or geologic
hazards and develop mitigation strategies for them.
Prevent the storage or manufacture of toxic or hazardous materials,
chemicals, or waste in hazard prone areas, including those located in the
100 -year floodplain.
Continue to identify and implement mitigation strategies and projects
to reduce the risks posed by known hazards to residents and property
owners.
Continue to participate in DOLA's Planning for Hazards programs.
Update standards so that existing and new infrastructure can withstand a
greater degree of stress or damage from natural disasters.
Mid-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Short-term
•
1
1
2
1
1
55$
Protect Essential Infrastructure
Ensure the Town, first responders, and residents are prepared to respond
to potential hazards or natural disasters.
Maintain police force level of service to ensure the safety of the
community.
Continue to support the Front Range Fire and Rescue District to ensure
preservation of life and property through fire prevention, fire suppression,
hazardous materials response and emergency medical services support.
Work with internet service providers and neighboring communities to
ensure the Town is served with reliable, affordable high-speed broadband
Internet service.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
2
3
2
1
55$
$$
Community Engagement in Disaster Planning Efforts
Support education and outreach efforts in the community to educate and
inform residents of disaster response procedures.
Ensure such efforts include information about where residents can receive
safety and evacuation information during and after an emergency or
disaster.
Develop multiple channels through which first responders, the Town, and
the public can communicate with one another.
O ngoing
Short-term
Short-term
2
2
1
$$
Directing Disaster Resilient Development
Discourage development from locating in areas characterized by natural
or geologic hazards.
Determine appropriate alternative uses for flood -prone lands acquired
by the Town and ensure that development does not alter or impact the
floodplain.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Infrastructure
O ngoing
Long-term
1
3
87
s'.1
COMMUNmr
AC ES
Public services include the amenities and facilities that provide residents
with a high quality of life. While existing facilities serve the community well,
growth and continued investment could place a higher demand on services. In
addition, additions to certain amenities, such as parks and open space, could
help to better promote Milliken as a wonderful place to live. For municipalities
across the State of Colorado, the natural environment is a top priority. Milliken
is no exception, offering residents a variety of recreational opportunities and
outdoor spaces that contribute to community health and quality of life. In the
future, anticipated growth could alter the landscape of Milliken. It will be essen-
tial that the Town manages natural and environmental resources to ensure
residents have access to recreation and the great outdoors.
Y
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89
A VISION FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The Town will maintain a complete and connected system of parks, open spaces, trails,
and recreation. Working with the Thompson Rivers Parks and Recreation District, Great
Outdoors Colorado, neighboring municipalities, and community stakeholders, the Town will
ensure that all residents and visitors enjoy access to parks, trails, and open spaces. The Town
will continue to strengthen its reputation for recreation and environmental resource protection
as it works with landowners to protect sensitive natural areas and greenways. The Town will
benefit from increased pedestrian and bicycle access to its parks, ensuring residents have
several ways to access them from anywhere in the community.
Goals for Community Facilities
The atmosphere which Milliken is known for can be attributed to many factors, one of which is its parks and open spaces.
Villiken's reputation as a pleasant and safe community is supported by these spaces, in addition to an organized police,
fire, and local government presence. Milliken will continue to preserve its use of parks and open spaces throughout new
developments and construct new spaces for the community to gather and collaborate. These additions will support Millik-
en's charming personality and ensure that visitors and new residents feel supported by the Town and its people.
The Town's goals for its community facilities, parks, and open spaces are to:
► Maintain critical police, fire, educational, and other community services and facilities, both directly and through collab-
orative efforts and partnerships as Milliken grows.
► Support a system of parks and open space that accommodates a range of recreational activities, enhances the quality
of life, maintains the integrity of Milliken's natural resources, and meets the needs of the Milliken population.
90
Community Facilities I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDITIONS
AND COMMUNITY -
WIDE POLICIES
A profile of Milliken's current community facilities,
parks, and open spaces, paired with key policies and
recommendations, can be found in this section.
Town Governance
The Town of Milliken governs by a Mayor -Trustee system.
Six board members are elected at large for a four-year
term, forming the Town Board of Trustees. The mayor also
serves on a four-year term and is also elected at large.
The Town Administrator oversees all Town government
projects. They facilitate staff information provided to the
Town Board, while they review situations, projects, and
questions addressed in and out of Town Board meetings.
The Administrator is appointed by the Town Board as
the Town's chief administrative officer, and their job is to
enforce local laws and ensure sound fiscal and operational
practices. Milliken is a statutory town - meaning that it is
limited to exercising powers that are granted by the State
of Colorado and is subject to provisions and limitations
imposed by the state. The Town's authority to act comes
from statewide statutes written by state legislators. The
Town can be proactive in addressing projected service
needs and consideressen,tial improvement to maintain a
high quality of life within Milliken. Efforts can include:
► Periodically reviewing all municipal facilities to iden-
tify and prioritize improvement projects necessary to
ensure necessary high -quality services.
► Consider impacts to police response times, infrastruc-
ture, park access, and other services as part of the
review process for new development proposals.
Milliken was recognized as
the third safest town in the
state of Colorado in 2022.
Milliken Police Department
The Milliken Police Department serves the Town of Milliken.
It consists of one administrative assistant, one community
services officer, and nine police officers including the
chief of police. Milliken was the third safest town in the
state of Colorado in 2022, per a report from SafeWise.
com analyzing FBI data on property crimes and violent
crimes per capita. The Town is part of the Critical Incident
Response Team, along with twenty other municipal police
organizations across Colorado. To continue to support high
levels of public safety, the Town can consider the following:
► Continue to maintain police force level of service to
ensure the safety of the community.
► Work with the police department and other first
responders, Town staff, and the community on a regular
basis to practice disaster response protocols.
► Assess the current level of service provided by police
and ensure new development will not adversely affect
current levels of service.
Front Range Fire Rescue
Milliken does not have a Town -employed fire department.
Fire safety operations are conducted by Front Range Fire
Rescue, a Northern Colorado Fire District that has served
Johnstown, Milliken, Larimer, and Weld Counties for over
100 years. It employs three fire crews, a training station,
four battalion chiefs, two administrators, and the Fire Chief.
It has three stations, one of which is in Milliken.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating is an important
metric for measuring fire safety. An ISO fire rating is
scored from one to 10 indicating how well -protected the
community is based on several metrics. In the ISO rating
scale, a lower number is better: one is the best possible
rating, while a 10 means the fire department did not meet
ISO's minimum requirements.
Front Range Fire Rescue currently maintains a Class 3
rating, which applies to properties within five road miles
of a fire station and 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or approved
alternate water supply, and also includes properties
that are within five road miles of an automatic aid fire
departments, if they are closer than a Front Range Fire
Rescue station. Front Range Fire Rescue maintains a Class
3y rating for properties beyond 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant,
but within five road miles of a fire station.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Facilities
91
Milliken Senior Center
The Milliken Senior Center aims to provide a friendly
atmosphere for recreational, cultural, health, and support
services to those fifty-five and above. Senior center
activities include lunches, trips, musical programs, special
events, social and educational programs, health fairs,
classes, games, guest speakers, parties and celebrations.
Noting the value of the Senior Center, the Town can
consider the following to best maintain and support it as a
community asset:
► Ensure a high degree of accessibility to the Senior
Center from all areas of Milliken, particularly residen-
tial neighborhoods. This should include appropriate
sidewalk extensions, trail connections, and crosswalk
improvements to allow safe and efficient access to the
facility.
► Conduct a regular review of the Senior Center and its
programming to identify necessary improvements or
expanded programming.
Education
Local schools and school districts can have a significant
impact on where residents choose to live, and they can
impact development potential and desirability within
different areas of a community. Local schools are under the
jurisdiction of the Weld County RE -5J Johnstown -Milliken
School District.
Weld County RE -5J School District is in both Larimer and
Weld Counties, primarily serving Johnstown and Milliken,
as well as small portions of the City of Greeley and the
Town of Berthoud. It serves approximately 3,800 students
across three elementary schools, a middle school, and a
high school. Schools include Pioneer Ridge Elementary
School, Milliken Elementary School, Elwell Elementary
School, Milliken Middle School, and Roosevelt High School
Roosevelt High School offers several work -based learning
opportunities. Students can participate in a for -credit
internship that develops professional and technical skills
based on their preferences. Additionally, the school offers
employment opportunities for students by providing
information regarding local businesses that are hiring.
92
Knowledge Quest Academy is a public charter school
under the governance of Weld County RE -5J which receives
additional funding from grants and fundraisers. The K-8
school currently enrolls approximately 410 students. It
employs twenty-four teachers and nineteen staff members.
CIVICA Charter School is a sixth through twelfth
grade public charter school. Its facilities consist of
eight classrooms, a cafeteria, computer lab, and a CTE
classroom.
Understanding that the RE -5J is an independent entity,
and the charter schools operate under their own direction,
the Town can consider the following recommendations to
improved educational offerings within Milliken:
► Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools
regarding any Colorado Department of Education
required improvement or accreditation plans to identify
opportunities for cooperation that will help improve
attainment levels.
► Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools to
analyze the impact of continued residential growth on
enrollment, including considerations for new facilities
or appropriate expansions to existing facilities.
► Support and assist, as appropriate, with improvement
projects to RE -5J and the charter school facilities within
Milliken.
► Coordinate with RE -5J to support development of new
schools within the Milliken municipal boundary as the
Town grows.
► Develop residential products that could appeal to
teachers and professionals, in accordance with the
Future Land Use map.
► Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools to
support positive branding and promotion, and to
support a positive perception of educational amenities
in Milliken.
Community Facilities I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
•
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Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Facilities
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Scale: 1:60,000
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Downtown Milliken
Community Facilities
Fire Department
Government
Library
Facilities
1. Milliken Town Hall
2. Milliken Post Office
3. Milliken Police Department
4. Milliken Elementary School
5. Front Range Fire Rescue
6. Weld County School District
7. Milliken Presbyterian Church
Context
•
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
a- Weld County Rivers
Police Department
Religion
School
8. Milliken Middle school
9. Milliken Athletic Center
10.Knowledge Quest Academy
11. CIVICA Charter School
93
Maintaining and Expanding
the Town's Parks
Within Milliken, each development has an associated
park, green space, or trail which provides an amenity
for residents to enjoy. Parks provide residents with
o pportunities to get active, socialize, and enjoy the
o utdoors in their community. The Town should continue
to include green space within new developments, ensuring
that this element of Milliken's personality stays consistent
during any future expansion.
Town of Milliken Parks
The Town of vlilliken has nineteen public parks, totaling
over sixty-six acres of total park area and overseen by the
Parks Department. According to the National Parks and
Recreation Department, towns of a comparable size to
Milliken in the state of Colorado have 17.9 acres of park
per 1,000 residents, and their parks average approximately
6.3 acres. Milliken has approximately 8.6 acres of park per
1000 residents, and an average park size of 3.7 acres. Seven
of the designated parks within the Town are less than one
acre in size. An example is Sign Park, which is a protected
portion of land where the Town's welcome sign is placed.
Existing parks in Milliken are primarily located in residential
areas around Downtown and in new subdivisions east of
Downtown. In most cases, residential developments are
not more than a half -mile from a park with playground
o r enrichment equipment. Notable parks are the Milliken
Skate Park, which was renovated in 2014 and is one of the
n ewest parks in the Town. Additionally, Lola Park is one of
the central and most developed parks in the Town, with
multiple types of equipment, seating areas, and sculptures.
94
However, not all residential areas are within walking
distance of a park. The Mad Russian housing development
is not near a public, recreational park, but has access to
the Mad Russian Golf Course. Additionally, the housing
subdivisions in Wildcat Acres, Meadow Farms, and
Peregrine Creek lack a park or open space element.
Peregrin Creek was, however, platted with an equestrian
trail throughout the subdivision. Overall, parks are
accessible for residents within the primary residential areas
of Milliken, although some developments lack access.
Thompson Rivers Park and Recreation District
The Thompson Rivers Parks and Recreation District (TRPR)
serves Johnstown and Milliken. It is a Special District
funded by local property taxes in both cities used to
provide and maintain recreational facilities for all citizens
within the district. It is governed by a board of five trustees
rather than by either municipality. It also employs twelve
staff members who organize different services for TRPR.
The organization oversees the Milliken Athletic Complex,
Centennial Park Pool, Nelson Farm Park Ball Fields, Sticker
Stadium, and the Johnstown Community Center.
Lola Park is one of the Town's
oldest and most used parks.
i
Community Facilities I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Policies and recommendations to ensure that Milliken's
parks remain attractive and well -programmed are as
follows:
► Develop a system of multi -use trails, paths, and
sidewalks that maximize accessibility, safety, and
convenience for users of all ages and abilities, and that
links regional trails, employment areas, commercial
centers, recreational facilities, open space, community
facilities, and parks.
► Focus on maintaining and expanding trails and
sidewalks that promote connectivity between parks,
recreational facilities, schools, and neighborhoods in
Town before addressing links to other communities or
amenities.
► Increase trail signage for navigation so users can direct
themselves through trails into other areas of interest,
such as Downtown.
► Develop additional trails to provide necessary
connections and contribute to a thorough and
extensive trail network.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Facilities
95
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96
23
i
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Scale: 1:60,000
Parks and
Open Space
0.5 Mile Buffer
0.25 Mile Buffer
Mini Park
Neighborhood Park
1. Milliken Skate Park
2. Ada Park
3. FBC Park
4. Lola Park
5. Sunset Park
6. Sappington Park
7. Florence Park
Context
Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
a Weld County Rivers
<r
co
396
Golf Course
Centennial Park
Open Space
Recreational Facility
8. Ehrlich Park
9. Mountain View Park
10. Sunrise Park
11. Fitness Park
12. Dove Valley Open Space
13. Centennial Farms Park
14. Cops & Kids Park
Community Facilities Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Trail Connections
Trails are an essential element of parks and open space.
Milliken has developed a set of trails which offer further
recreational opportunities for residents. There is a large trail
system throughout the Settlers Village and Colony Pointe
subdivisions, which provides access to open spaces for
people to enjoy.* These trails present a unique opportunity
to create an interconnected system of trails for residents to
use not just as recreation, but as transportation.
*See Map on Page 69
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Facilities
Using the existing trail infrastructure as a basis, the Town
can create a multi -use system of trails that connect
neighborhoods, people, and job opportunities. This can be
accomplished by considering the following:
► Develop a system of multi -use trails, paths, and
sidewalks that maximize accessibility, safety, and
convenience for users of all ages and abilities, and that
links regional trails, employment areas, commercial
centers, recreational facilities, open space, community
facilities, and parks.
► As development occurs, continue to connect the
trail system to Downtown and the surrounding
neighborhoods.
► As residential development occurs, continue to
implement and maintain trail signage for navigation so
users can direct themselves on trails and access areas
of interest, such as Downtown.
► Develop additional trails to provide necessary
connections and contribute to a thorough and
extensive trail network.
97
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Natural Features
Natural areas within and around Milliken consist of
meandering waterways, ro ling fields, and beautiful
agricultural features. Further, the Town is situated in a Front
Range region full of interesting and unique natural features.
These features play a key role in the local environmental
system, providing natural flood control measures.
Additionally, these undeveloped areas are valued by the
community as they provide relief from urbanized areas. The
Town makes significant efforts to ensure the resources it has
available are used in an efficient and sustainable manner.
This includes the preservation of water and the use of local
vegetation in parks and open spaces.
98
The following recommendations can continue the Town's
trend of preserving its natural features:
► Seek opportunities to integrate stormwater
management functions into the design of existing or
planned parks, trail corridors, or open space areas, as
well as streetscapes or other landscaped areas. To the
extent feasible, retrofit parks and other landscaped
areas owned and managed by the Town to include
stormwater management functions, such as retention
or infiltration basins. Work with the school district,
TRPR, and others to include stormwater management
function in parks, fields, and other green areas owned
and managed by these entities.
► Incorporate native and/or drought -tolerant plant
species and other xeric landscape principles into the
design of existing and new parks and public facilities
where appropriate as a means of reducing water usage,
enhancing wildlife habitat, and reducing maintenance
requirements.
► Encourage the preservation, reclamation, and/
or enhancement of drainage ways, floodplains,
documented wildlife habitats, ecologically sensitive
or critical areas, steep slopes and/or areas prone to
natural or geologic hazards. Integrate protected natural
features as active and passive open space and/or trail
corridors to serve and enhance connections between
neighborhoods and to other destinations in the
community, where appropriate.
Community Facilities I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Community Gathering
Spaces/Third Spaces
The key to successful public places is threefold, requiring
centrality, connectivity, and activity. Existing public spaces
include Downtown, parks, roads, trails, and sidewalks.
Public spaces should be accessible by all forms of trans-
portation and be designed to offer safe and comfortable
areas of activity and repose. Providing places for community
members to come together creates a more unified Town.
Milliken has many outdoor spaces where residents can enjoy
each other's company, such as the many parks, or beloved
local businesses like Pelican Joe's Pizza, Goobers Ice Cream,
and Mill Haus Coffee. However, the Town should consider
creating additional spaces which provide infrastructure for
both indoor and outdoor gathering. Somewhere for people
to hold meetings, local programming, and promote Town
interests. Some strategies to develop amenities and facilities
that encourage long-term residence in the Town as well as
invite visitors to spend time in Milliken include:
► Continue to promote and redevelop existing gathering
spaces throughout Town.
► Identify and propose locations for the development of
"third places," Town -owned spaces where residents can
gather indoors/outdoors without spending money and
is available for use by the public.
► Construct a plethora of facilities and gathering spaces
for the Town's community to come together.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Community Facilities
Organizational Partnerships
The Town of Milliken is engaged in several partnerships with
surrounding communities and organizations which provide
valuable services. Organizations such as the Front Range Fire
Rescue and Thompson River Parks and Recreation, oversee
important facets of life in Milliken and will be preserved
throughout the future. The Town should continue to look
for opportunities to strengthen these connections. Some
strategies include:
► Continue to collaborate with TRPR, the school
district, Weld County, Gilcrest, Platteville, Johnstown,
Greeley, Evans, and other regional or state agencies
to plan for and implement parks, recreation, and trail
improvements of mutual benefit. Participate in regional
trail planning efforts such as the Colorado Front Range
Trail, Milliken Johnstown Trail, and South Platte River
Corridor.
► Create public -private partnerships with developers,
non-profit organizations, and other local private actors
to preserve, enhance, and expand the existing parks,
trails, recreation, and open space systems in Villiken.
► Consider all costs, including operations and
maintenance, in decisions to acquire open space,
construct new parks, trails, and recreational facilities,
or upgrade existing parks, trails, and recreational
facilities. Consider alternative landscaping that requires
less maintenance, seek partnerships with the private
sector or HOAs, or explore other measures for reducing
ongoing costs.
99
Community Facilities
Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific action.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
RECO
V
MENDED ACTION
Town Governance
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Matr.x is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
Periodically reviewing all municipal facilities to identify and prioritize
improvement projects
Consider impacts to police response times, infrastructure, park access,
and other services as part of the review process for new development
proposals.
Milliken Police Department
Continue to maintain pol ce force level of service to ensure the safety of
the community.
Work with the police department and other first responders, Town staff,
and the community to practice disaster response protocols.
Assess the current level or service provided by police and ensure new
development will not adversely affect this
Front Range Fire Rescue
Continue to maintain regular communication with Front Range Fire
Rescue.
Include Front Range Fire Rescue within the development review process.
Milliken Senior Center
Ensure a high degree of accessibility to the Senior Center from all areas of
Milliken.
Conduct a regular review of the Senior Center and its programming to
identify necessary improvements.
TI
ti
E
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Short-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
P
R
O
R
1
1
3
1
2
COST
2
2
$$
$
100
Community Facilities I Milliken Comprehensive Flan
R ECO
V
VENDED ACTION
TI
ME
PRIORITY COST
Education
Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools regarding any Colorado
Department of Education required improvement or accreditation plans.
Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools to analyze the impact of
continued residential growth on enrollment.
Support and assist, as appropriate, with improvement projects to RE -5J
and the charter school facilities within Milliken.
Coordinate with RE -5J to support development of new schools within the
Milliken municipal boundary as the Town grows.
Develop residential products that could appeal to teachers and profes-
sionals.
Coordinate with RE -5J and the charter schools to support positive
branding and promotion, and to support a positive perception of educa-
tional amenities in Milliken.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Long-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
1
1
1
2
3
1
$$$
Maintaining and Expanding the Town's Parks
Continue to require in the Town's subdivision regulations that all new
developments include a park and/or active green space.
Ensure all existing and future park facilities continue to provide an
adequate range of amenities and recreational opportunities that meet the
needs of the intended users.
Incorporate environmental, historical, archaeological, geological, and
educational components in the design or designation or parks, trails, and
open space.
Continue to use the Parks and Open Space Capital Improvements Plan
(CIP) as a tool to prioritize and implement high priority projects.
Collaborate with the school district, TRPR, Great Outdoors Colorado, Weld
County, and others to identify shared needs and potential partnership
opportunities.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Mid-term
Short-term
1
2
p.
3
2
3
$$$
Trail Connections
Develop a system of multi -use trails, paths, and sidewalks that maximize
accessibility, safety, and convenience for users of all ages and abilities, and
that links regional trails, employment areas, commercial centers, recre-
ational facilities, open space, community facilities, and parks.
As development occurs, continue to connect the trail system to Downtown
and the surrounding neighborhoods.
As residential development occurs, continue to implement and maintain
trail signage for navigation so users can direct themselves on trails and
access areas of interest, such as Downtown.
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Develop additional trails to provide necessary connections and contribute
to a thorough and extensive trail network.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan { Community Facilities
O ngoing
$$$
$$
$55
101
RECOV M ENDED ACTION
Natural Features
Seek opportunities to integrate stormwater management functions into
the design of existing or planned parks, trail corridors, or open space
areas, as well as streetscapes or other landscaped areas.
Incorporate native and/or drought -tolerant plant species and other xeric
landscape principles into the design of existing and new parks and public
facilities where appropriate.
Encourage the preservation, reclamation, and/or enhancement of
drainage ways, floodplains, documented wildlife habitats, ecologically
sensitive or critical areas, steep slopes and/or areas prone to natural or
geologic hazards.
Community Gathering Spaces/Third Places
Continue to promote and redevelop existing gathering spaces throughout
Town.
Identify and propose locations for the development of "third places."
Construct a plethora of facilities and gathering spaces for the Town's
community to come together.
Organizational Partnerships
Continue to collaborate with TRPR, the school district, Weld County,
Gilcrest, Platteville, Johnstown, Greeley, Evans, and other regional or state
agencies to plan for and implement parks, recreation, and trail improve-
ments of mutual benefit.
Create public -private partnerships with developers, non-profit organiza-
tions, and other local private actors to preserve, enhance, and expand the
existing parks, trails, recreation, and open spaces.
Consider all costs, including operations and maintenance, in decisions to
acquire open space, construct new parks, trails, and recreational facilities,
or upgrade existing parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
102
TIME
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
O ngoing
Short-term
Long-term
O ngoing
O ngoing
P
RIORI
1
3
1
COST
55$
1
3
1
O ngoing
1
1
1
$$$
$55
$
Community Facilities i Milliken Comprehensive Plan
- 1. _
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I. -,L-3i.; I i 1 Imo';.: "
CULTURAL ESOU CE
AND TOURISM
The rural character of Milliken and its high quality of life are the premier draws
of the Town. Residential developments are set against the background of
large expanses of undeveloped and rural open space. This chapter identifies
strategies for Milliken to take advantage of its cultural resources, location, and
tourism assets, defining itself as a community that celebrates its agricultural
heritage and maintains a small-town atmosphere.
105
A VISION FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
Milliken will continue to promote its character and distinctive community identity.
Building on its rich agricultural heritage, the Town will continue to be known as a rural gem,
attracting people throughout the region to local events such as Beef N' Bean Day and Market
Day. The Town will continue to promote its historic and cultural resources, emphasizing the
community's charming, agricultural character year-round and reinforcing its unique identity as
a place to live and visit in Northern Colorado.
A Goal for Cultural Resources and Tourism
Milliken's rural identity is supported by its commitment to its history and local heritage. The Town's agricultural and mining
heritage are assets it shares with nearby communities. This section emphasizes Milliken's unique and special offerings - the
events, activities, and efforts the make it special in the region.
The Town's goat for its cultural resources and tourism is to:
► Establish a coordinated program of urban design initiatives (public art, public space improvements, people -scaled
improvements to the public right-of-way), community sery ces, and development standards that celebrate and
promote the character of Milliken, distinguishing it from other communities within the region.
106
Cultural Resources and Tourism I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
CURRENT CONDIT IONS
Community culture, resources, and tourism play a
role in forming the Town's identity and sense of local
pride. Milliken has several events throughout the year
which promote local businesses and create a sense of
community. These include the Market Days, which occur in
April -October, Milliken's Day Out, the Festival of Lights, and
the Halloween Bash. vlilliken lacks large tourist attractions.
Beef N' Bean Day is a significant event that attracts visitors
from outside the community, however, other events hosted
in Milliken depend on a local draw. The Town is well -
located to benefit from growing trends toward agricultural
tourism ("agritourism") as well as other regional outdoor
activities and amenities.
Beef N' Bean Day
Since 1924, the Town has celebrated Beef N' Bean Day, an
annual agricultural festival. The festival consists of local
vendors, a "Backyard BBQ" cooking competition, and a
parade honoring local businesses and citizens. It is held on
the second Saturday of August each year.
Milliken Historical Society
The Milliken Historical Society offers educational resources
about the settling of Milliken and its development as a
Town. The Society displays donated items that tell the
story of Milliken's History. It operates a small museum to
display these pieces, opening only on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Existing National Resources
The Front Range of Colorado is host to some of the
state's largest cities, tallest peaks, and of course, its most
charming towns. For Milliken, the Front Range offers
gorgeous plains and abundant farmland. With the soaring
Rocky Mountain peaks towering over the western horizon,
these agricultural features offer a peaceful respite from the
urban centers populating the region.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Cultural Resources ana Te_urism
The Milliken Historical Society
displays donated items that
tell the story of the Town.
107
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nava. _es vslart.tts•Caariewilaai ••412 Nets
COMMUNITY -WIDE
POLICIES
The following apply to the cultural resources and
tourism assets within and around Milliken.
Small -Town Personality
Milliken possesses charm and amenities which make it a
pleasant and safe place to live. The Town has harnessed
this reputation by creating events which promote the
Town's amenities, such as Beef N' Bean Day and the
Festival of Lights. Events provide opportunities to showcase
Milliken's neighborhoods and heritage, provide a forum for
community interaction, and activate public spaces. The
Town should continue to find ways to promote existing
resources, as well as expand its cultural offerings throughout
the year.
108
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NipLAir to sT'Msl�a el_-hte art* •sins -�� -!ern P�13444 rift
ab
The Town may consider the following options:
► Explore opportunities for new or improved annual
events that will foster community pride and interaction
while providing fun activities to residents and visitors.
The existing Beef N' Bean Day is a great example of
an event that can be utilized to promote Milliken and
attract visitors from the region.
► As part of the promotional campaign, develop materials
focused on promoting tourism. This can include
advertising for events and community activities on
a regional scale, as well as guidebooks that provide
information on attractions, local restaurants, and
other destinations. Social media and other web -based
platforms should also be incorporated.
► Encourage the development of agricultural niches that
produce specialty crops, such as the Lavender and
Gladiola Farms, to attract agricultural tourists to the
area.
► Ensure community events have adequate funding for
annual maintenance and potential expansion.
► Use of underutilized commercial and school parking
lots to host larger events such as concerts and festivals.
► Partner with the Milliken Events Committee and TRPR
to sponsor niche events which identify Milliken as a
destination.
Cultural Resources and Tourism I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Streetscape Considerations
Street design and function have a significant impact
on the overall character of a community. Fortunately,
walking through Milliken's Downtown, and its surrounding
neighborhoods is a pleasant way to experience the Town's
peacefully scenic atmosphere. These walks, whether in
commercial or residential areas, provide connections
for residents to reach destinations with more than just a
vehicle. To make these strolls even more pleasant, the
Town should continue to increase the decoration and
activation of its sidewalks. Creat ng partnerships with local
artists, businesses, and organizations to add streetscape
and gateway elements throughout the Town will add to its
spectacle and further strengthen the community's character.
These efforts could include the following strategies:
► Partner with the Milliken Historical Society, local
schools, and other organizations to add murals and
artwork throughout Milliken.
I. Improve eastern entryway into Villiken with gateway
signage and features that welcome individuals to the
community.
► Incorporate public art reflec_ing the cultural and
historic heritage of Milliken and its residents into pudic
facilities, buildings, spaces, and projects. Whenever
possible, art should be commissioned from local artists.
► Ensure streetscape changes enhance Milliken's small-
town character while providing a safe and attractive
place for pedestrians to walk.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Cultural ResoLrces and Tourism
Arts and Culture Activities
Milliken is a charming Town which has been awarded
accolades for its safety and way of life. This reputation can
be further refined by enriching the existing arts and cultural
events with additional resources, and a larger calendar of
events. Art can serve as a powerful component to the public
sphere, having the ability to personalize space, generate
dialogue, improve aesthetics and be an economic and
educational asset. By Increasing the frequency and size of
art installation and community events, the Town's identity
will be made increasingly unique. Additionally, leveraging
existing resources such as Lola Park, Sappington Park, and
Centennial Park to host events, will further polish Milliken's
charming personality and family -centered way of life. Some
strategies to accomplish this include:
► Continue to provide a publicly accessible inventory
of all facilities, programs, and organizations (private,
public, and non-profit) that contribute to the arts in
Milliken.
► Expand the number of smaller, Town events such
as farmer's markets, block parties, and community
gatherings to increase participation in Town affairs.
► Support opportunities to create community gathering
places, events, and educational opportunities for youth,
residents, and visitors centered on agriculture or other
Milliken assets when opportunities arise.
► Collaborate with the Villiken Historical Society,
Milliken Events Committee, other local, regional, and
state historic preservation and cultural resources
organizations, and the school district to create and/or
promote tourism and educational opportunities at sites
of cultural and historical significance in and around
Milliken.
109
Agritourism
Agritourism, also referred to as agritainment, is defined by
the Colorado Department of Agriculture as a wide variety of
recreational, educational, and other leisure activities and
services, provided by farmers and ranchers and experi-
enced by consumers who value the activity or service they
receive and seek it out. Agritourism may be defined as
activities, events and services related to agriculture that
take place on or off the farm or ranch, and that connect
consumers with the heritage, natural resource, or culinary
experience they value. There are three general classifica-
tions of agritourism activities: on-farm/ranch, food -based,
and heritage activities. These endeavors provide supple-
mental income to farm owners and may include busi-
nesses such as pumpkin patches (such as the one found at
Schneider Farms), Christmas tree farms, corn mazes, festi-
vals, farm stands, and many other uses tied to agriculture.
Agritourism venues offer an "escape" to calmer, more
peaceful rural settings and provide a unique entertain-
ment niche that cannot be found in more urban areas.
The market reach for agritourism venues includes children
for educational purposes, corporations for team -building
events, and adults for beer and wine tasting. Based
on Milliken's existing community identity and strategic
location, the Town has a unique opportunity to expand its
agritourism industry. The Town can consider the following:
110
► Continue to promote retail operations related to
agritourism within the Agriculture and Rural Residential
areas, as identified on the Future Land Use map.
► Consider the use of transfer of development rights to
preserve agricultural areas and decrease development
pressure to agricultural land.
► Work with local farm owners and operators to navigate
land use and liability issues and connect them to the
Colorado Heritage and Agritourism Program.
► Work with the Colorado Tourism Office to promote
agritourism within and around Milliken.
► Connect interested farmers, ranchers, and landowners
with the resources provided by the Colorado
Department of Agriculture on https://ag.colorado.gov/.
Cultural Resources and Tourism I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Community Facilities
Implementation Matrix
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the founda-
tion for Plan implementation.
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in yea -s, how long it would take to
comolete a specific action.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention
R
ECO
vv
E
ND
ED ACTION
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and impor-
tance. Each action in the Action Matrix is indicated with
one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time, limited outside funding
required
► $$: Outside consulting/funding recommended
► $$$: Outside consulting/funding will most likely be
necessary
TI
V
E
PRIORI
COST
Small Town Personality
Continue to promote Beef N' Bean Day and other events throughout the
region.
Increase the Town's outreach capability though the use of social media
and other web -based platforms to reach a wider audience.
Partner with the Milliken Even:s Committee and TRPR to sponsor niche
events which identify Milliken as a destination.
Ongoing
O ngoing
Short-term
1
3
1
Streetscape Considerations
Partner with the Milliken Historical Society, Milliken Events Committee,
local schools, and other organizations to add murals, artwork, and infor-
mational signage throughout Milliken.
Collaborate with local artists and artisans to increase their presence in
Town, and provide artwork for public areas.
Short-term
O ngoing
3
Arts and Culture Activities
Creating an annual event for each season to promote the year-round
experience of Milliken.
Expand the number of smaller, Town events on a more regular basis.
Harness existing resources and outdoor spaces to host events.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Cultural Resources and T3un>m
O ngoing
Short-term
Short-term
3
3
$$
111
RECOM
V
E
ND
ED ACTION
TI
ME
PR
IORITY COST
Agritourism
Continue to promote retail operations related to agritourism.
Consider the use of transfer of development rights to preserve agricultural
areas and decrease development pressure to agricultural land.
Work with local farm owners and operators to navigate land use and
liability issues and connect them to the Colorado Heritage anc Agritourism
Program.
Work with the Colorado Tourism Office to promote agritourism within and
around Milliken.
Connect interested farmers, ranchers, and landowners with the resources
provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Short-term
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Short-term
1
2
1
1
3
$$
Milliken Comprehensive Plan
112
Cultural Resources and Tourism
MPLEMENTAT
ON
The Milliken Comprehensive Plan is a foundation for future decision -making
related to land use, development, and community improvement, and is
intended to direct action within Milliken that supports the community's estab-
lished vision and core community principles. The Implementation chapter
identifies critical next steps to assist the Town in implementing its Comprehen-
sive Plan. These steps focus on the Comprehensive Plan as a primary resource
for planning efforts and policy decisions within Milliken. The Implementation
chapter also establishes a foundation for implementing the goals, objectives,
and recommendations identified in the Comprehensive Plan for the next 10 to
20 years.
115
REGULAR USE OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan should be used as the official
policy guide for planning decisions made by Town staff,
Town Board, and other boards and commissions. The
Plan should serve as a primary reference in guiding policy
formation, evaluating projects and planning initiatives,
reviewing development proposals, and prioritizing public
expenditure. Referencing the Comprehensive Plan will
ensure future planning efforts and decisions align with the
community's long-term vision and goals. Service providers
and partner organizations should also be encouraged
to use the Comprehensive Plan when considering new
development, facilities, infrastructure updates, and
programming within their parameters.
To promote regular use of the plan, the Town should:
► Post the Comprehensive Plan document on the Town
website, and make it available in hardcopy at Town Hall
for easy public access
► Educate the public on how the Plan connects to devel-
opment projects and other proposals occurring within
the Town
► Guide the Town Board, Planning Commission, and
other boards and commissions in the administration,
interpretation, and continuous application of the Plan
► Meet with key department heads and officials to explain
the purpose, importance, and benefits of the Plan
► Maintain a list of possible amendments issues, or needs
which may be the subject of change, addition, or dele-
tion from the Plan.
► Coordinate with and assist the Town Board and Plan-
ning Commission in the Plan amendment process, as
necessary.
COOPERATION AND
PARTNERSHIP
Implementation requires a coordinated effort between
local service providers and community organizations.
The Town of Milliken should assume the leadership role
in acting on the Comprehensive Plan, but it will need to
maintain partnerships to facilitate regular communica-
tion and cooperation with local groups. Partnerships will
help identify opportunities to work collaboratively toward
mutual interests and create an organized approach to
implementation.
Milliken already has a variety of partnerships that should be
maintained. Ongoing partnerships should include nearby
municipalities, regional and state agencies, local commu-
nity organizations and not -for -profits, school districts and
other taxing districts, local business communities, and
other groups with a vested interest in Milliken.
Milliken Partner Organizations
► Colorado Office of Economic Development and Interna-
tional Trade
► Northern Colorado Economic Alliance
► Upstate Colorado
► Aims Community College
► Colorado State University
► Employment Services of Weld County
► University of Northern Colorado
► East Colorado Small Business Development Center
► Rocky Mountain Innosphere
► Xcel Energy
► Poudre Valley REA
116
Implementation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Regional Planning and Partnerships
The Milliken Comprehensive Plan regional position
makes it essential that the Town develops and
maintains partnerships with a wide variety of groups and
organizations. Facilitating regular communication and
cooperation with partners will support the implementation
of the Comprehensive Plan and identify opportunities to
work collaboratively toward mutual interests. Further, it
will facilitate a greater regional perspective on how issues
are addressed in the area. Partners in plan implementation
include, but are not limited to:
► Front Range Fire Rescue
► City of Greeley
► City of Evans
► City of Loveland
► Town of Johnstown
► Town of Gilcrest
► Town of Mead
► Town of Platteville
► LarimerCounty
► Weld County
► The Weld Trust
► Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado
► Rocky Mountain SER
► Area Agency on Aging
► National Association of City Transportation Officials
► North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
► Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
► Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
► Greeley Evans Transit
► Via Mobility
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Implementation
Capital Improvement Plan
The implementation of the Milliken Comprehensive Plan
must be coordinated with the Town's financial resources
and capital planning. This will help ensure future capital
investments successfully address both short- and long-
term objectives of the Plan and are strategically budgeted
and prioritized. CIP projects include improvements for
the maintenance of the Town's assets such as roadways,
sidewalks, parks, recreational amenities, municipal
buildings, and stormwater maintenance, as well as other
improvements requiring capital expenditures relating to
public infrastructure.
The Town should review and integrate the Milliken
Comprehensive Plan into the capital improvement
process, including the Town's annual budgeting process
and during updates to the CIP. This will help assess
funding needs and plan for potential sources, ensuring
the completion of desired improvements in a prioritized
manner over the life of the Plan. For more information on
fiscal stability, see the Public Facilities and Infrastructure
chapter.
Plan Review and Updates
The Comprehensive Plan is not a static document and
must be able to evolve and change overtime. For example,
if community attitudes change or new issues arise that are
beyond the scope of the current Plan, the Plan should be
revised and updated accordingly.
The Town should undertake a complete review and
update of the Plan every five years, and intermittent
evaluations every two to three years to identify smaller
changes. The Town should maintain a public list of
potential amendments, issues, or needs. Plan reviews
should coincide with the preparation of the Town's budget
and the public improvement project list or CIP. In this
manner, recommendations or changes relating to capital
improvements or other programs can be considered as
part of the commitments for the upcoming fiscal year.
Routine examination of the Plan will help ensure that the
planning program remains relevant to community needs
and aspirations.
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Update the Land Use Code Public Communication
While the Milliken Comprehensive Plan articulates a vision
for the community, the Town's development regulations
are one of the primary tools that can be used to implement
Plan recommendations and make the vision a reality.
Following the adoption of the Plan, the Town should
perform a comprehensive review and update of its Land
Use Code to establish regulations that support the desired
type of development and goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
This may include changes to building setbacks, parking
lot orientation, sign standards, landscaping requirements,
density, use standards, and designated zoning districts,
with a focus on providing public realm improvements
to improve the interaction between development
and the surrounding area. Proactive enforcement of
the Land Development Code will be essential for new
development, or when existing structures do not comply
with the updated code are improved. A more proactive
code enforcement will ensure Milliken grows in a manner
that is consistent with the community's expectations for
community character and quality of place.
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The Comprehensive Plan community outreach
program was designed to solicit feedback on issues and
opportunities from residents and stakeholders. Public
engagement included kickoff meetings, a community
workshop, a series of discussion sessions with the Planning
Commission and Town Board, stakeholder interviews and
focus group discussions, an online questionnaire, and
an interactive mapping tool to engage with community
stakeholders. In addition to supporting the planning
process, these outreach efforts helped foster stewardship
for the Comprehensive Plan and communicate the
importance of planning within Milliken.
Sustaining this core value of public engagement, the Town
should continue to communicate with the public via online
updates, announcements of major project achievements,
and newsletters including information about planning and
development efforts.
The Town should create a way for residents and
stakeholders to offer feedback and ask questions about
planning initiatives and ongoing projects. Further, the
Town should consider hosting additional workshops and
engagement opportunities in the future where residents
could review the Plan and offer feedback about changing
issues, opportunities, trends, and community preferences.
Implementation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Prepare a Town of Milliken
Strategic Plan following the
Comprehensive Plan Update
The Town of Milliken should consider preparing a
Strategic Plan following the Comprehensive Plan Update.
A Comprehensive Plan Update and a Strategic Plan are
each important tools for municipal planning, but they
serve different purposes. The Town's Comprehensive Plan
provides a long-range vision for the Town and outlines
policies and recommendations to achieve that vision. A
Strategic Plan is a shorter -term planning document that
focuses on achieving specific goals and objectives within
a defined timeframe and is directed internally at the Town
of Milliken as an organization. It is typically updated every
three to five years. The Strategic Plan should be based
on the Comprehensive Plan Update and should identify
the most important priorities fortheTown. In general, a
Strategic Plan should include the following:
► A mission statement that describes the Town of Milli k-
en's purpose.
► Core values/principles that guide the Town's internal
decision -making.
► Specific, measurable strategic goals that the Town
aims to achieve within the defined three- to five-year
timeframe.
► Detailed action plans for how each strategic goal will
be achieved, including timelines, budgets, and respon-
sible parties.
► Performance indicators that will be used to measure
the success of the Strategic Plan.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Implementation
It is important to do a Comprehensive Plan Update before
a Strategic Plan because the Comprehensive Plan provides
the foundation for the Strategic Plan. The Strategic
Plan can then be used to prioritize the most important
organizational goals and objectives for the Town of
Milliken and to develop specific action plans for achieving
those goals. There are a few key differences between a
Comprehensive Plan and a Strategic Plan:
FEATURE
COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN UPDATE
STRATEGIC PLAN
Purpose Establish a long-range
vision for the town.
Timeframe
Scope
.........................................................
Level of Detail
Relationship to
Comprehensive
Plan
10 to 20 years
Broad and compre-
hensive.
High level
N/A
Achieve specific goals
and objectives for the
Town of Milliken as an
organization, within a
defined timeframe.
3 to 5 years
Focused on specific
priorities
Detailed
Provides specific
mechanisms for the
Town of Milliken
and its elected and
appointed officials
to implement the
Comprehensive Plan.
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POTENTIAL FUNDING
SOURCES
There are several potential funding sources that the Town
can pursue to support the implementation of the Compre-
hensive Plan. It is important to note that funding sources
are subject to change over time. As such, the Town should
continue to research and monitor grants, funding agencies,
and programs to identify deadlines, funding specifications,
and new opportunities as they become available. These
programs are organized by funding categories, which
include:
► Housing
► Economic Development
► Cultural Resources and Tourism
► Community Facilities (including Parks and Open
Spaces)
Housing
Low -Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
LIHTCs are dollar -for -dollar federal tax credits for the
creation of multifamily, affordable housing units. A
developer could receive either a four or nine percent credit
to cover the costs of redeveloping a multifamily building.
This credit helps to increase the housing stock of livable
housing units in neighborhoods. In addition, it provides
affordable options for low-income families and helps them
access better neighborhoods.
120
Senior and Active Military Property Tax Deferral
Program
The Colorado Department of Treasury makes payments
directly to Weld County for property taxes of qualifying
seniors and active military personnel. This direct payment
of property taxes is a lien against the property and does
not have to be paid back until the individual is no longer
eligible for deferment. Seniors must be at least 65 years
old. Military personnel must be actively serving by January
1 of the year they sign up for the program. All previous
years' property taxes must be paid, and participants
must own and occupy the property to participate in the
program.
Senior and Veteran Property Tax Abatement Program
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
administers this program for seniors, their surviving
spouses, and veterans living with disabilities. Through
DOLA, the State Treasury distributes funds that cover half
of the first $200,000 in the actual value of their property.
Seniors must beat least 65 years old and have owned
and occupied the property as their primary residence
for the past ten years. Veterans must be rated by the US
Department of Veterans Affairs as permanently disabled
and owned and occupied the property as their primary
residence on January 1 of their application year.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program provides local governments, in conjunction with
citizen participation, the opportunity to address a wide
range of unique community development needs. The
CDBG prioritizes activities benefiting low and moderate -
income residents, aiding in the prevention or elimination
of slums or blight, or meeting an urgent community need.
Implementation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Economic Development
East Colorado Small Business Development Center
The East Colorado Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) is a resource for Milliken's small business
establishment. The EBDC helps existing and new
businesses grow and prosper by providing free and
confidential consulting and no or low-cost training
programs. The center also writes comprehensive business
plans, conducts financial forecasts, strategizes marketing
tactics, applies for funding, and improves operations for
businesses.
Colorado Main Street Loans
This loan program offers character -based financing options
for small businesses unable to secure a conventional loan
or start their business. Loans range between $5,000 to
$50,000 and are intended to support a variety of business
purposes in underserved communities. Funds are
available for start-up expenses, working capital, purchasing
equipment, leasehold improvements, buying a business
or franchise, or business debt refinancing. Funding for this
loan program comes from a variety of sources, including
Colorado Lending Source, banks, foundations, private
entities, investors, and government agencies.
Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance
Program
The Local Technical Assistance program strengthens
the capacity of local or state organizations, institutions
of higher education, and other eligible recipients to
create regional economic development plans to improve
economic prosperity and resiliency of an area, such as
through feasibility studies and impact analyses. The
Program is administered by the Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration and offers up to
$300,000 with a cost-share/match requirement.
New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)
Administered by the Department of the Treasury, the
NMTC increases the flow of capital to businesses and
low-income areas by providing a modest tax incentive to
private investors, businesses, and communities across
the country. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
(CHFA), through the Colorado Growth and Revitalization
(CGR) fund, administers NMTCs in the State of Colorado.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Implementation
Enterprise Zone Program
The Enterprise Zone Program was created to encourage
development in economically stressed areas of the
state. The 16 designated enterprise zones have high
unemployment rates, low per capita income, or slow
population growth. Milliken's Downtown and adjacent
neighborhoods and industrial parks along Highway 60 are
in an Enterprise Zone, which provides access to a series
of tax credits and incentives to promote employment,
economic development, and growth.
Little Thomason Rives
257
n Rives
Milliken Enterprise Zone
I Town Boundary
Urban Growth Area
0 Enterprise Zone
AScale 1.110,000
121
Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Exemption
This tax exemption is offered through the Colorado
Department of Revenue. It provides an exemption from
state sales and use tax on purchases of manufacturing
machinery, machine tools, and parts. Industrial businesses
throughout Milliken may be eligible for this exemption.
Biotechnology Sales and Use Tax Refund
Qualified taxpayers may seek a refund every year for all
Colorado sales and use taxes they paid on purchases of
tangible personal property used directly in the research
and development of biotechnology. This includes
properties such as microscopes, chemical reagents, and
software.
Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit
This tax credit administered through the Colorado Office
of Economic Development helps Colorado advanced
industry companies that are headquartered in Colorado
receive more capital from Colorado investors. Colorado's
seven advanced industries are Advanced Manufacturing,
Aerospace, Bioscience, Electronics, Energy/Natural
Resources/Cleantech, Infrastructure Engineering, and
Technology and Information. The investor, the investee,
and the investment all must meet certain criteria (more
detailed information available on the Colorado Office of
Economic Development and International Trade website).
Colorado FIRST Grants
Administered jointly between the Colorado Office of
Economic Development and International Trade and the
Colorado Community College System, the grants offer up
to $1,400 per full-time employee for companies relocating
to or expanding in Colorado to assist with training funds for
net new hires.
Clean Tech and Media Tech Sales and Use Tax Refund
Through the Colorado Department of Revenue, this refund
is available to businesses employing fewer than 36 full-
time employees in Colorado with its headquarters or50
percent of all employees in the State. Covered items and
activities include the sale, storage, use, or consumption of
property used for research and development of clean or
medical technology.
122
Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit
This state funding source through the Colorado Office of
Economic Development is intended to provide a state
income tax credit to businesses undertaking job creation
projects that would not occur in Colorado without this
program. Businesses need to create at least 20 new jobs
in Colorado, with an average yearly wage of at least 100
percent of the average wage rate based on where the
business is located. A business located in an Enhanced
Rural Enterprise Zone must create at least five new jobs
in Colorado, with an average yearly wage of at least 100
percent of the local average wage. All new jobs must be
maintained for at least one year after the positions are
hired to qualify.
Implementation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Strategic Fund Incentive
Offered through the Colorado Office of Economic
Development and International Trade, this incentive
supports and encourages new business development,
business expansions, and relocations that have generated
new jobs throughout the State. Local businesses must
create new jobs in Colorado that are maintained for at least
one year (see fact sheet on the Strategic Fund Incentive
websiteforfull requirements).
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
This tax credit encourages employers to hire nine targeted
groups of job seekers: Welfare/TANF recipients, Veterans
receiving Food Stamps, Disabled Veterans, Ex -Offenders,
Designated Community Residents, Vocational
Rehabilitation, Food Stamp recipients between the ages of
18 and 39, Supplemental Security Income recipients, and
Long Term TANF Recipients. The tax credit is administered
by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and
International Trades, and eligible employers can receive
$2,400 to $9,000 per new employee.
Existing Industry Customized Training Programs
Administered by the Colorado Office of Economic
Development and International Trade and the Colorado
Community College System, the program provides up
to $1,200 per full-time employee. The training program
provides funds for net new hire training and focuses on
businesses relocating to or expanding in Colorado and
need training for workers with the skills necessary to
improve their productivity, increase wages, and reduce the
need for public support. The program focuses on assisting
Colorado companies in remaining competitive within their
industry, adapting to new technology, and preventing
layoffs.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Implementation
Cultural Resources and Tourism
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC)
HTCs are subsidies used for the preservation of historically
significant buildings and/or neighborhoods. A developer
could receive up to a 45 percent tax credit for the
rehabilitation and maintenance of a historic property.
The Federal Historic Tax Credit provides a 20 percent
federal income-tax credit to renovate income -producing,
historic buildings. The State's Historic Preservation Tax
Credit allows developers to obtain up to a 35 percent
state income tax credit on the rehabilitation of a historic
property. By using HTCs qualifying housing could be saved,
and properties of significance preserved.
Colorado Historical Foundation (CHF) Revolving Loan
Fund: Preservation Loans
The Colorado Historical Foundation established the CHF
Revolving Loan Fund to provide financing for preservation
projects and the acquisition of historically designated
properties. CHF Revolving Loan Fund loans are for
rehabilitation, restoration, or adaptive reuse. Projects must
adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Buildings. The funds can also be
applied to the purchase of a national or local historically
designated property in Colorado.
123
Community Facilities (Including
Parks and Open Spaces)
Land and Water Conservation Fund
This fund provides matching grants to states and local
governments for the acquisition and development of
public outdoor recreation areas and facilities (as well
as funding for shared federal land acquisition and
conservation strategies). Funds are provided through the
US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Pa -k Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Nonmotorized Trail Grants
The mission of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Trails
Program is to promote understanding and stewardship
of Colorado's outdoors by providing opportunities for the
public use and support of Colorado's diverse system of
trails. The grant program is a partnership among Colorado
Parks and Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado (LOCO), the
Colorado Lottery, the federal Recreational Trails Program
(R —P), and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can be
used to improve parks and trails and other recreational
opportunities in low- and middle -income areas of the
community.
Colorado Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (CBRLF)
This fund is intended to facilitate the reuse and/or
redevelopment of contaminated sites by making low-cost
funding available for financing environmental cleanups. It
is administered by the US EPA and Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment.
Natural Resources Matching Grants Program
This program provides matching state funds towards
the costs of on -the -ground conservation projects and
educational conservation activities. Grant funds range
between $1,000 and $25,000. Administered through the
Colorado Department of Agriculture, the matching grant
is a competitive program. A committee of government
and private conservation experts score the applications
based on the following criteria: focused approach with
measurable outcomes, conservation impact, feasibility,
district involvement, and partner involvement.
Source Water Assessment and Protection Pilot Planning
Project
The Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment provides funds for source water protection
entities that develop exemplary and comprehensive
source water protection plans. Funding ranges between
$25,000 and $50,000.
Protection Plan Development and Implementation
Grants
This grant program provides funds for source water
protection entities to develop and implement a protection
plan of up to $5,000. It is administered by the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment.
Wildlife Restoration Program
This program provides grant funds to states and insular
areas fish and wildlife agencies for projects to restore,
conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals
and their habitats.
Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund
Administered by the Colorado Department of Natural
Resources, this fund provides both project and planning
grants. Project grants are intended for projects that
promote the improvement and/or protection of the
condition of the watershed. Planning grants are for the
planning of successful watershed restoration or protection
projects. Eligible applicants include locally based
watershed protection groups who are committed to a
collaborative approach to the restoration and protection of
lands and natural resources within Colorado's watersheds.
Colorado Watershed Restoration Grants
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources provides
grants for watershed/stream restoration projects
throughout the state.
124
Implementation I Milliken Comprehensive Plan
Action Matrix
Note - action matrices are located at the end of each core
element chapter.
The Action Matrix presents a complete list of all
actionable recommendations made within the Milliken
Comprehensive Plan. The matrix includes key actions, time
estimate, and potential partnerships. The Action Matrix
should be used to evaluate the Town's progress based on
completed actions. As with the rest of the Comprehensive
Plan, the Action Matrix is a flexible tool that should be
regularly revisited and updated to reflect the evolving
needs and opportunities within the Milliken community.
Milliken Comprehensive Plan I Implementation
Recommended Actions
These include capital projects, policy recommendations,
and strategies that should be prioritized to lay the
foundation for Plan implementation.
Priority Level
Priority is assigned with consideration for cost and
importance. Each action in the Action Matrix is indicated
with one of the following:
► Priority 1: Near -term, low-cost, easier to implement,
critical
► Priority 2: Mid-term, essential
► Priority 3: Long-term, desirable
Time Estimate
Time estimates indicate, in years, how long it would take to
complete a specific recommendation.
► Short-term: less than two years
► Mid-term: two to five years
► Long-term: greater than five years
► Ongoing: requires immediate action and continued
attention throughout the life of the Comprehensive
Plan.
Cost
Cost estimates are represented on a scale ranging from $
to $$$. The costs only refer to public costs. Descriptions of
the scale are as follows:
► $: Primarily internal staff time with limited outside
funding required
► $$: Outside consulting assistance is expected with
greater capital expenditure. Outside funding sources
are recommended.
► $$$: Outside consulting assistance will most likely
be necessary, with the greatest capital expenditure.
Outside funding is highly recommended.
125
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