West End, Colorado | West End Vision Project

The West End is a remote region of Colorado (the western portions of Montrose and San Miguel County) that prides itself on rugged landscapes, close-knit communities, rural agricultural livelihoods, and a resilient, pioneering spirit. Over the past decade, the region has faced many changes and challenges, including the loss of the coal industry, a spike in tourism during the pandemic, and increasing external interests and pressures affecting everything from home prices to public lands.

In response, local governments and regional partners launched the West End Vision Project in partnership with Community Builders to create a shared plan for the future. Led by the Towns of Naturita, Norwood, and Nucla, along with the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), the effort has culminated in a shared path forward and a roadmap for creating the kind of future the community has envisioned. The final West End Vision Plan has now been completed and unanimously adopted by all five West End governments, making it an official guiding framework for local decision-making and regional coordination.

Community Builders maintains a long-standing presence in the West End region. In 2020, Community Builders partnered with local governments on the Advance West End Sustainability Plan, helping increase the WEEDC’s revenue by more than $60,000 annually.

Over an 18-month, community-led process, the West End Vision Project engaged more than 715 residents through more than 120+ total meetings and conversations. Community members shared what matters most, envisioned a better future, worked through trade-offs via Action Planning Teams, and helped shape a practical roadmap for the future. 

Engagement happened through small group conversations, large community meetings and meals, creative pop-ups, ice cream socials, online surveys, sit-downs with high-school students and seniors, and work sessions with key organizations and industries like mining, outdoor recreation, and agriculture.

That input informed shared community values, a local storytelling series, eight overarching goals, and an action-focused set of strategies, including near-term “Quick Wins” and longer-term “Big Moves.”

The West End Vision Plan is now complete and has been formally adopted by the Towns of Nucla, Naturita, and Norwood, plus Montrose County and San Miguel County. Adoption signals a shared regional commitment to use the Vision Plan as a guide for priorities, coordination, and funding in alignment with the community’s vision.

The work now shifts from planning to stewardship and implementation. A Plan Stewardship Committee was created to help maintain momentum, support coordination, and continue finding ways for community members to stay involved as the region brings the Vision to life. The final plan and executive summary can be found at bit.ly/WE-Vision-Web