Regional Planning

Colorado’s recent population boom has brought economic stimulation and increased tax revenue, but has also brought more drivers to our roads. This unprecedented growth is putting a strain on an already deficient transportation budget and Colorado’s roads, 52 percent of which are in poor condition. Learn how Commuting Solutions is working with regional planning efforts.


Northwest Regional Transportation Demand Management Plan

Commuting Solutions, in collaboration with UrbanTrans North America, as well as public, private and nonprofit stakeholders led the effort to develop an inaugural Transporation Demand Management (TDM) Plan for the northwest metro region. The plan is already garnering national attention with Commuting Solutions being named a finalist for the 2023 Association of Commuter Transportation (ACT) Excellence in Planning Award for our groundbreaking work on the plan. 

Through this collaborative process, Commuting Solutions and its stakeholders identified 11 strategies that focus limited resources, services and programs on essential workers and projects where there is the greatest need. We will begin to implement the plan over the coming years.

Northwest Regional TDM Strategies:

  • Implementing TDM programs that include bus rapid transit (BRT) service.
  • Exploring the feasibility of a regional bike share program.
  • Developing and distributing a mobility guide.
  • Conducting ongoing travel training for essential workers.
  • Developing model TDM programs NW cities can easily incorporate.
  • Developing and distributing an employer policy toolkit for businesses.
  • Creating a northwest regional TDM coordinating council.
  • Providing subsidies and marketing support for a vanpool pilot program.
  • Providing incentives to encourage non-Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) travel or changing travel times during peak congestion.
  • Providing marketing and support to schools not currently enrolled in the Way to Go “SchoolPool” carpooling program.
  • Conducting transportation options outreach at multifamily and low-income housing.

State of Transportation in the Next 20 Years

The struggle to maintain existing infrastructure makes the task of effectively addressing the increasing issues with regional mobility and congestion nearly impossible. It is estimated that the population of Colorado will grow by 48 percent and vehicle miles traveled will increase by 64 percent in the next 20 years. If in that same time frame no additional infrastructure is constructed, Coloradoans can expect an estimated 158 percent increase in traffic delays. What is now a 17 minute commute will become more than 44 minutes.

To get a better idea of the current state of transportation in Colorado, download the MPACT64 presentation below.

Northwest Area Mobility Study

The Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) is a collaborative effort that addressed significant cost increases and delays associated with building and operating the 41-mile Northwest Rail commuter rail line from Longmont to Denver. The study concluded with elected officials, the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and 13 area jurisdictions and agencies reaching consensus on transit priorities in the region.

Areas in the Northwest Corridor:

Conceptual View of the SH 119 Bikeway

CO Highway 119

CO Highway 119, locally known as the Diagonal, connects Boulder to Longmont and travels through Gunbarrel and Niwot. Currently there are 45,000 vehicles a day that travel along the corridor.

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Woman smiles as she exits RTD Flatiron Flyer bus

CO Highway 42

The Cities of Lafayette and Louisville are working together to envision the future of State Highway 42 (also known as 95th Street, CO 42 or Courtesy Road) for people to walk, bike, ride transit or drive.

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Flatiron Flyer bus outside RTD station

CO Highway 7

The Colorado State Highway 7 (CO 7) corridor between Brighton and Boulder is well positioned to develop as a corridor of local livability and multimodal regional access.

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RTD train rides down track

RTD FasTracks

In March 2019, the Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition released a letter reconfirming their commitment to Northwest Rail and Peak Service exploration.

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Group waits in line to board RTD Flatiron Flyer image

US 287

Boulder County, in coordination with stakeholders, regional partners and members of the public, is starting a multi-phased re-envisioning process of US 287.

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Quarterly Membership Meeting
October 23

Registration is open!

We hope to see you at our next Membership Meeting!