Finding homes that people can afford to rent or buy is just one of the areas that are top of mind for Boulder Valley residents as government workers ask them for input to help update the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.

“Boulder’s not alone. We know there’s a housing crisis across the country, but we’re definitely feeling that here,” said Vivian Castro-Wooldridge, the engagement leader for the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. People who work at Boulder and Boulder County government offices are working together to update the plan, which has guided growth in the area since the 1970s. The planning area encompasses the city of Boulder and parts of unincorporated Boulder County surrounding the city.

Other key themes brought up during a recent public forum about the plan were safety, livability and sustainability. Castro-Wooldridge said people shared concerns about housing affordability and the diversity of housing options. They also were worried about wildfire resilience but were enthusiastic about Boulder’s leadership in climate solutions. Participants also expressed a desire for more opportunities to gather socially.

Next year, the BVCP will be updated to more accurately include current community values and goals for the future. The plan is adopted by four bodies: the City Planning Board, the City Council, the Boulder County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

The plan is meant to inform decisions about the development of the Boulder Valley for the next 20 years. The public feedback will be narrowed down into a few focus areas, which the city will use to shape policy options, planners said.

Castro-Wooldridge explained that in this early stage of gathering ideas for the update, government workers wants to make everyone feel welcome to participate.

“What we’re really aiming for is to have the most inclusive update process to date,” she said. “We think that if we hear from more people with diverse perspectives and lived experiences and demographics, we’ll be able to make better recommendations that suit everyone in our community.”

The planning team has more events scheduled throughout the next several months for residents to share their thoughts on the plan.

• 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today at Ampersand Coffee Roasters, 6560 Odell Place.• noon to 1 p.m. today at West Age Well Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave.• morning hours Friday for Winter Bike to Work Day on Pearl Street between 15th and 16th streets.• noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Flatirons Room of the Boulder Library main branch, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 19 at the East Boulder Community Center ballroom, 5660 Sioux Drive.

• 1 to 4 p.m. April 12 at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive. Residents can learn about what’s already been suggested for the plan and offer additional input.