Collaborative growth management in metropolitan Denver: “Fig leaf or valiant effort?”

Metro Vision 2020 is a collaborative effort to manage growth in metropolitan Denver. Based on interviews, surveys and document analysis, an evaluation revealed that it was a well-managed process that raised awareness about growth problems. The efforts also resulted in an approved regional plan that initiated an innovative urban growth boundary policy. However, the lack of broad-based participation, limited understanding of policy effects, and inadequate implementation tools raised doubts about long-term effectiveness. The broader implications are that collaboration at the metropolitan scale needs to explore more participatory models, stronger implementation tools, and institutional structures that will support consensus.