Representatives from Arvada, Broomfield and Jefferson County gathered at the state Capitol on April 15 for a celebration of sorts — the final link of the metrowide beltway appears inevitable.
Gov. Bill Owens announced an agreement between the entities to let the Colorado Department of Transportation perform an environmental impact study and to adhere to the study’s findings. The study will search for an alignment for the missing gap of the beltway, which extends just north of Arvada near Broomfield to the southwestern tip of Golden.
“Earlier this month I met with Arvada, Broomfield and Jefferson County,” Owens said at the press conference. “I am pleased to tell you that we’ve reached a consensus that will allow the state to proceed with the planning for that final segment.”
Owens said the study will begin “in the next few weeks” and will be completed within 24 months. Construction on the link is expected to follow.
“When construction begins, I think we will look back on this agreement as a major milestone, the catalyst that closed the final gap on our beltway around the metro historic agreement,” said Arvada Mayor Ken Fellman. “We’re going to get regional traffic off our city streets. We are looking forward to partnerships with our neighbors, those who are here and those who are not here.”
Noticeably absent from the smiling faces at the microphone were representatives from Golden, whose vehement opposition of the beltway connection has resulted in an ongoing war of words with Arvada and the county. Fellman said Golden is a victim of its own choice not to participate in the agreement.
“They could’ve been proactive, but they chose not to do that,” Fellman said. “They might choose to continue to be reactive. I don’t know.”
Jefferson County Commissioner Michelle Lawrence agreed.
“I hope Golden will be at the table on this,” Lawrence said. “My mother always said, ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you become a victim of it.’ I think it’s imperative that Golden participate in this to represent their citizens. I have constituents in Golden, too.”
Representatives for Golden didn’t see things the same way at all.
“Nobody ever consulted us about this (study). There was no offer whatsoever,” said Golden City Councilman Bill McKee, who also represents Golden on the Denver Regional Council of Governments. “No one has ever discussed this with Golden about what the study is and what particular alignment they intend to study.”
McKee said Golden is currently undertaking independent studies of its own on U.S. Highway 6 and state Highway 93 about traffic mitigation measures. McKee said Arvada has ignored Golden’s studies and that Owens’ announcement is not good news.
“This is a political steamroller job,” McKee said. “For whatever reasons, these cities have convinced the governor’s office to back their political point of view. But obviously, since we haven’t been asked to participate in any way, we’re very much opposed to this recent development.”area,” Owens said.
“This is the beginning of the end of a long effort. This will be a