Archuleta County Strategic Plan
From Friction to First Steps
The Situation
Archuleta County, home to 15,000 residents and just one incorporated town, had never developed a strategic plan. A new Board Chair had helped establish mission, vision, and values, and the County was ready to take the next step: aligning its work to better serve a rapidly changing community. With long-standing rural dynamics, a growing population of newcomers, and increasing pressure on infrastructure and housing, the timing was critical.
The Real Challenge
The County faced internal and external pressures that made alignment difficult. Leadership turnover, differing priorities, and strained relationships with partners had created barriers to consistent progress. Many community members and staff were eager to work together differently—but weren’t sure where to begin.
What We Did
We conducted over 50 interviews and hosted eight listening sessions to understand the county’s opportunities, constraints, and aspirations. From there, we facilitated two full-day collaborative planning sessions with staff from across departments to identify shared themes, core challenges, and priority partnerships. The result was a clear, values-driven strategic plan—focused on what matters most to the community.
What Changed
The County formally adopted its first-ever strategic plan. The Board acknowledged the work of staff and affirmed their leadership in implementation. In response, staff created an internal stewardship group to carry the work forward. The plan now provides structure and momentum across three central priorities: strengthening community partnerships, guiding development that enhances quality of life, and investing in infrastructure that works.
