A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for West 3333 Regis Boulevard in Regis. Approves a map amendment to rezone property from R-5 to CMP-EI2, located at 3333 Regis Boulevard in, Council District 1. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 11-4-2025.

Summary

This ordinance, CB25-1636, proposes to rezone approximately 61.774 acres (2,690,717 square feet) of the Regis University campus at 3333 West Regis Boulevard in Council District 1. The current zoning of R-5 (Former Chapter 59 Institutional District) will be changed to CMP-EI2 (Campus-Education/Institution District) to align with the Denver Zoning Code (DZC) and the city's adopted plans, including the Denver Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver. This rezoning covers the western two-thirds of the campus; a separate Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning is proposed for the eastern third of the property, known as "Regis Village."

Key Details

• Purpose: To modernize the zoning of the existing university campus, streamline future development approvals, and ensure compatibility with adjacent low-scale residential neighborhoods. The CMP-EI2 district is designed for smaller- to medium-scale campus sites, requiring more open space and limited building heights (up to 75 feet within 175 feet of protected districts, otherwise 150 feet maximum) with 20-foot setbacks and a 45-degree bulk plane slope to transition to surrounding areas.
• Timeline: The rezoning request was dated 10/22/2025. Public notices were sent on 11/20/2024 (application receipt) and 09/30/2025 (Planning Board hearing). The Planning Board held its public hearing on 10/15/2025 and voted unanimously to recommend approval. The City Council's Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved filing this item on 11/4/2025, with a tentative City Council Public Hearing on 12/8/2025.
• Community Engagement: Regis University conducted extensive outreach from May 2022 to April 2025, including virtual meetings, information tables at community events, presentations to Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs) like Berkeley Regis United Neighbors (BRUN) and Chaffee Park Neighborhood Association, and outreach to local businesses, non-profits, and schools. No letters from RNOs or the general public were received as of the staff report date.
• Equity Analysis: The area shows low educational attainment (87.6% of residents 25+ lack a college degree, compared to 44.4% citywide) and lower median household income ($57,047 vs. $91,681 citywide). Regis University, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, aims to address these by expanding educational opportunities. The area also lacks housing diversity (missing middle, income-restricted, and rental units), which the university could help mitigate by providing on-campus housing options.
• High-Impact Development Compliance Plan (HIDCP): An HIDCP was not required for this specific rezoning as there is no proposed development associated with it, and Regis University is a non-profit educational institution. Any future development on the campus may trigger an HIDCP negotiation.

Citizen Impact

This rezoning ensures that Regis University's main campus continues its operations under modern zoning regulations, which includes specific design standards for building heights and setbacks to ensure new construction is compatible with surrounding residential areas. Residents will continue to benefit from access to the university's library and fitness center, and the university's commitment to expanding educational opportunities, particularly for Hispanic and first-generation students, aims to improve local educational attainment and economic mobility.

Confidence

high