About

Urban Rural Continuum is a small planning consulting firm founded in 2016.  Located in western Colorado, we focus on helping rural and mountain towns plan for a more prosperous future. This includes identifying community housing needs and gaps, identifying barriers to affordable housing and other community needs in land use codes, and strategically planning for the next 20 years or the next 12 months.

Here are some examples of what we do: 

  • Housing needs assessments and studies
  • Housing action plans
  • Demographic and economic research
  • Survey design and administration
  • Socioeconomic analysis
  • Environmental justice analysis
  • Project and contract management
  • Comprehensive and master planning
  • Strategic planning
  • Land use code analysis, organization, and revisions
  • Entitlement services
  • Downtown revitalization and economic development
  • Community engagement and meeting facilitation
  • Local capacity building

Andrew Coburn

Andrew is a life-long learner and critical thinker. He is constantly doing calculations, analysis and research. He has extensive experience working with public and private sector clients in urban and rural communities, and on public land. For years he has assessed local housing markets across the mountain west but has had a diverse career. 

Andrew has managed planning projects for the National Park Service, worked as an assistant financial director for a gubernatorial campaign, and served as a wildland firefighter, among others.  

Andrew has volunteered for the Nanjing Urban Planning and Research Center in China, Cajas National Park in Ecuador, and Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia. 

When not working he enjoys fly fishing, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and researching his next “needed” outdoor gear purchase.

Education

  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver
  • Master of Public Administration, University of Colorado Denver
  • Bachelor of Arts, Economics, University of Montana Missoula
  • Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Montana Missoula
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science: Real Estate Economics and Finance online certificate course

Shay Coburn

Shay was born to be a planner. She is detail oriented, organized, enjoys meeting new people, and is always planning ahead. She previously served as the Community Development Director for the City of Delta and as the Planner for the Town of Ridgway. Prior to working in local government, Shay worked for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) as the Colorado Main Street Program Manager and started her career at Clarion Associates, a private land use consulting firm. With this well-rounded experience, Shay brings a broad perspective and strong communication skills to every project. 

When not working, she can be found gardening, fly fishing, cross country skiing, hiking, and snacking. 

She has volunteered for post-hurricane Katrina disaster assistance in New Orleans, Cajas National Park in Ecuador, and Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia.

Education

  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver 
  • Bachelor of Environmental Design, University of Colorado Boulder

Partners

We frequently collaborate with other experts to ensure clients get the best possible information and recommendations. Primary collaborators include:

Get in touch with us

info@urbanruralcontinuum.com
720.464.5821