CU South Annexation

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Aerial image of CU South Boulder


In 2019 CU Boulder submitted an annexation application for its South Campus (“CU South”). If annexed, CU South, now under county jurisdiction, would come under the city’s jurisdiction. Annexation does not mean the city would own CU South, but city utilities could be extended to the site.


The city and CU Boulder are working together to determine annexation terms and conditions that meet the needs of both university and City of Boulder and is based upon the CU South Guiding Principles found in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. This annexation is unique for several reasons:

  • Property Size: At just over 300 acres in size (about the size of the Main Campus), CU South is the largest undeveloped site in the Boulder Valley that is eligible for annexation.

  • Timing: CU Boulder has no immediate plans to develop the property. University master planning for CU South is several years away. However, significant flooding events in the area have prompted the city to pursue a flood mitigation project on a portion of CU South. That portion of the property is only available to the city through annexation of the entire CU South site. CU Boulder has no immediate plan to develop the property and its internal master plan process for CU South is several years away, hence there is no development plan currently.

  • State Entity: As a state entity, CU Boulder is exempt from the city’s development standards. Therefore, the city and CU are working to develop and define clear parameters (e.g. building heights, allowed uses) in the annexation agreement that will be enforced on the site. The CU South Guiding Principles were approved by the city and county to guide agreements between the city and university for future uses, services and utilities for the property and set boundaries within which further specifics will be defined.

Please check out the Briefing Book for the most up-to-date information about the annexation and proposed terms and FAQs about the annexation and Flood Mitigation project.




In 2019 CU Boulder submitted an annexation application for its South Campus (“CU South”). If annexed, CU South, now under county jurisdiction, would come under the city’s jurisdiction. Annexation does not mean the city would own CU South, but city utilities could be extended to the site.


The city and CU Boulder are working together to determine annexation terms and conditions that meet the needs of both university and City of Boulder and is based upon the CU South Guiding Principles found in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. This annexation is unique for several reasons:

  • Property Size: At just over 300 acres in size (about the size of the Main Campus), CU South is the largest undeveloped site in the Boulder Valley that is eligible for annexation.

  • Timing: CU Boulder has no immediate plans to develop the property. University master planning for CU South is several years away. However, significant flooding events in the area have prompted the city to pursue a flood mitigation project on a portion of CU South. That portion of the property is only available to the city through annexation of the entire CU South site. CU Boulder has no immediate plan to develop the property and its internal master plan process for CU South is several years away, hence there is no development plan currently.

  • State Entity: As a state entity, CU Boulder is exempt from the city’s development standards. Therefore, the city and CU are working to develop and define clear parameters (e.g. building heights, allowed uses) in the annexation agreement that will be enforced on the site. The CU South Guiding Principles were approved by the city and county to guide agreements between the city and university for future uses, services and utilities for the property and set boundaries within which further specifics will be defined.

Please check out the Briefing Book for the most up-to-date information about the annexation and proposed terms and FAQs about the annexation and Flood Mitigation project.



  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    CU South Annexation Feedback Questionnaire

    The purpose of this questionnaire is to provide the most current and accurate information about the draft annexation terms and status of negotiations and get your feedback!    

    We've received some feedback that this questionnaire focuses too much on promoting the terms of the annexation and doesn’t give community members a vehicle to express their opposition to annexation. The purpose of this phase of engagement  is to focus on the current status of the negotiation of terms and to further inform the development of an annexation agreement that City Council and our community can consider later. Therefore, this questionnaire is designed to gather feedback specifically about possible annexation terms. We encourage you to share your feedback on the topics and terms that would be most important to you in any potential annexation proposal. By filling out this questionnaire, you are in no way waiving your right to continue to object to annexation. 

    Complete questionnaire
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  • Comment Form

    If you did not have a chance to respond to the recent questionnaire regarding CU South Annexation please add your feedback here. All comments will be compiled for staff and decision-makers.

    Comment Form
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