Artificial intelligence pilot project approved for Community Development Department

During the Board of Mesa County Commissioners’ June 24 public hearing, they approved participation in the Local Planning Capacity Grant Program to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI) pilot initiative to improve efficiency and accuracy in permit application intake and review processes, streamline workflows, and reduce turnaround times for the Community Development Department. 

This grant will allow Mesa County Community Development to demo AI use in the site planning review process for all its operations. 

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will fund $41,736 of the project cost, with Mesa County contributing $10,434. 

“This isn’t anything that would remove any kind of staff, but what it does is just create more efficiency,” said Community Development Director Greg Moberg. “This gives us a year to be able to really vet it and make sure that it is accurate.”

The pilot project aims to improve efficiencies and reduce turnaround time for Community Development staff to review and process permit applications while also providing a tool for individuals and businesses to double-check their applications before submission.