About WestCOG
Working Together for Western Connecticut
The Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) is the regional council of governments for Connecticut’s Western Connecticut Planning Region. Established under Connecticut law, WestCOG brings together eighteen municipalities to address issues that extend beyond local boundaries through regional planning, shared services, and intergovernmental collaboration.
Many of the challenges facing municipalities—including transportation, housing, environmental protection, emergency preparedness, and economic development—do not stop at town boundaries. WestCOG helps municipalities accomplish together what would be difficult or impossible to achieve individually.
The Western Connecticut Planning Region is the federally recognized county equivalent for Western Connecticut. WestCOG’s members are the municipalities themselves, represented by their chief elected officials, who work together to advance shared regional interests while preserving local decision-making.
What is a Council of Governments?
A Council of Governments (COG) is a regional organization established under Connecticut law through which municipalities work together on issues of mutual concern. Rather than creating another layer of government, a COG provides a framework for neighboring communities to coordinate planning, share resources, and pursue solutions to regional challenges while each municipality retains its own local authority.
Member Municipalities
Our Members
WestCOG’s members are the eighteen municipalities of Connecticut’s Western Planning Region. Together, they represent nearly 650,000 residents, making it the state’s second most populous planning region.
How We Serve Our Municipalities
WestCOG provides planning, technical expertise, and regional coordination across a broad range of municipal responsibilities, including:
- Transportation – Planning and coordination for the movement of people and goods throughout the region.
- Community Planning – Planning for the growth, development, and long-term vitality of Western Connecticut’s municipalities.
- Environment – Stewardship of the region’s natural resources and planning for environmental resilience and sustainability.
- Data & Technology – Geographic information systems (GIS), data analysis, mapping, and technology solutions that support informed decision-making.
- Regional Services – Shared services, technical assistance, grant administration, and other initiatives that help municipalities work more effectively together.
Governance
WestCOG consists of the chief elected official from each member municipality, acting collectively as the Council of Governments. Together, they establish the organization’s priorities, adopt its plans and budget, and provide policy direction while ensuring that regional decisions reflect the shared interests of the municipalities it serves.
WestCOG’s Strategic Vision and Plan
