Development of the new Comprehensive Master Plan for the Town of Gypsum to direct economic growth and quality of life was finalized in June 2017. The Master Plan is a guiding document to help future elected and appointed officials, as well as town staff, determine the vision of the Town of Gypsum. The 2017 Master Plan was developed from citizen groups, outside governmental entities, town officials, businesses, developers, stakeholders, and town staff in a number of meetings and hearings which developed a plan for growth that is certain to come to the Town of Gypsum. Areas of future growth have been identified to determine residential development, commercial expansion of a city center, and industrial uses. In 2019, a Master Plan Design Review Board was formed to represent and uphold the adopted Master Plan Design Guidelines and architectural vision for four core districts identified in the Comprehensive Master Plan: The Front Door, The River, The Yard, and The Market.

Town Council has approved the This is Gypsum Master Plan Public-Private Partnership Application to facilitate development in these key areas of the Town. This application begins a process where the property owner may be able to identify financial feasibility gaps in their project and potentially negotiate an agreement with the town for public assistance if the project significantly aids in meeting the goals of our master plan.

In August 2008, the Town of Gypsum began a planning process for the Eagle River Corridor. This planning area spans from the west end of the Town boundaries to the east end and covers the half-mile wide corridor running along the Eagle River. Most of this area is unincorporated and currently used for rural uses or gravel mining; however, as the surrounding region continues to grow, Gypsum has become a key opportunity area for future sustainable growth.  The Eagle River Area Plan sets forth the vision and policies that will ensure the corridor develops in a desirable way. 

The Eagle River is overwhelmingly supported as a gem to the community. The study area contains valuable natural resources that should be preserved and complimented. In terms of planning for the future, the community’s feedback suggests that they want more access to the river for enjoyment, and also want to promote it as a unique attribute and recreational asset. There is also strong support to protect all sensitive natural resources, including riparian habitat, wildlife corridors, water quality, and the view shed from I-70.

As Gypsum grows so does the volume of traffic and associated congestion and safety issues that can alter the quality of life in our mountain community. In 2024 the town updated its the Master Traffic Study to evaluate traffic conditions, estimate future traffic volumes and impacts, identify needed improvements, and estimate the associated planning level costs. Due to the size of the document, the 2024 Gypsum Traffic Study Report is available upon request. To receive a copy of the report, please email the Community Development office at the following pre-populated email link. 

A video of the summary traffic study presentation to the Town Council in May of 2024 is available at this link. You may need to fast forward a few minutes to timestamp number 54:23 to get to the Traffic Study agenda topic. 

Annually, the Town also adopts a Three Mile Annexation Plan that identifies outlying areas and determines the desired uses and services that will be necessary for properties that may annex into the Town of Gypsum.  

The provisions set forth in the 1987 Amendment to the Colorado Municipal Annexation Act of 1965, Colorado Revised Statutes Section 31-12-105, and as revised again in 2000, require a municipality to develop a Three-Mile Plan prior to the completion of any annexation action. The Three-Mile Plan must also be updated on an annual basis.