Commerce City is continuing its multi‑month effort to refresh the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan to better reflect the community’s priorities and the operational direction needed to deliver meaningful outcomes. On Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, City Council adopted the Updated Strategic Plan Framework, an important milestone that modernizes the structure of the Plan and positions the city for clear, focused action heading into 2027.

The updated framework includes refined Goal Categories, clarified Goal Statements, and streamlined Strategic Priorities, all shaped by Council direction and informed through community engagement, including SpeakUp surveys, Music in the Park outreach, and Financial Planning Town Halls. These updates improve transparency and make the plan easier for residents to understand.

With the framework adopted, City departments are now aligning their work under the City Manager’s Operations Plan. This includes developing operational objectives, confirming 2027 performance metrics, and building the reporting and tracking tools needed for accountability and ongoing public communication. Residents will begin seeing components of this work as the City transitions to Smartsheet for improved plan reporting and updates.

The community can expect continued updates as we progress toward the adoption of the full refreshed Strategic Plan in January 2027. This next phase will bring forward a completed public‑facing document that integrates Council’s long‑term direction with the operational steps the City will take to achieve measurable outcomes for residents.

Commerce City remains committed to delivering a Strategic Plan that is clear, actionable, and aligned with community values, ensuring that decisions made today support a thriving and sustainable future.

Where are we now?

Framework Adoption

Strategic Plan Refresh: Updated Framework, Goal Categories, and Priorities

• Strategic Plan Refresh Resolution (Adopted Sept 21, 2026) – Establishes the updated Strategic Plan Framework and its role for the remainder of the 2024–2028 cycle.

• Council Communication for the Strategic Plan Refresh Framework – Offers background, rationale, terminology updates, Goal Category refinements, and outreach summary to inform how we publicly frame the Refresh.

Resolution 2026-084 passed 8-0 with one excused absence.

To formally adopt the updated strategic plan framework. Over the last several months, staff redefined and modernized the framework to ensure our strategic priorities and organizational goals accurately reflect the city's evolving needs and City Council policy direction. This update strengthens the alignment across departments, clarifies outcomes and measures, and advances a unified community-focused vision. Tonight's action will formally adopt this framework and incorporate it into the existing strategic plan. 

This process began at the 2026 City Council retreat in March, where councilmembers provided early direction regarding the need to modernize the strategic plan, clarify roles, and improve transparency. After the retreat, staff completed multiple engagement rounds ranging from public meetings to council work sessions, and all changes reflected the intersection of council direction, community input, and operational alignment.

The full Adoption of the Refreshed Strategic Plan will take place in January.