Tonight the Denver Region Council of Governments (DRCOG) will decide decision on how much Sprawl to permit in the region. In 1997, DRCOG created an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) designed to promote efficient smart growth. The idea was to use planning tools to shape how the region grows to save money, improve mobility and sustain a high quality of life in the region.

At the time DRCOG decided that by 2030 the developed areas of the region would encompass 750 square miles. Tonight Arapahoe and Douglas Counties as well as Commerce City, and Thornton are petitioning to increase the UGB so they can develop previously undeveloped areas.

This is a bad idea:
1. Expansion of the UGB costs taxpayers roughly an additional $33 million/square mile of expanded area in public infrastructure for things such as water and sewer as well as $114 million/square mile for regional transportation infrastructure. The additional 15.5 square miles is thus estimated to increase public infrastructure and transportation costs by $2.3 billion. This figure does not include the additional costs that are likely to be incurred in addressing environmental degradation likely to incur due to expanded development. (water quality issues due to covering of additional areas with nonporous materials and air quality issues due to increased pollution from increased VMT/car travel that accompanies expanded development).
2. The increase is not needed. The region has the capacity to develop an additional 150 square miles within the UGB. We should develop within the UGB first then, if necessary, expand the boundary. What is the point of having a growth boundary if we don't use it?
3. FasTracks. The region is investing 6 billion dollars in a new light rail network, these fringe developments will increase congestion, are far from transit centers and undermine the investment we are making in transit.

Expanding the growth boundary does nothing to prepare us for a future of high energy prices, restrictions on global warming pollution or a more competitive economy. DRCOG should reject changing the growth boundary.