An open house is scheduled for July 10 to learn about a potential noise reduction strategy for Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

The open house will be at Omni Interlocken Hotel Centennial Ballroom, 500 Interlocken Boulevard in Broomfield, from 6 -7:30 p.m. The meeting will be an informational “come and go at your leisure” open house to learn about the airport’s Part 150 Study, according to airport officials.

Information boards will be available for review, and airport sponsor and consulting staff will be there to answer questions and gather input, an informational brochure states.

The Part 150 Airport Noise Study will develop modeled noise contours, a Noise Exposure Map and identify potentially incompatible land uses, according to Jefferson County, which owns and operates the airport.  

According to Jefferson County, the study may also lead to the development of a Noise Compatibility Program. That requires an airport to not only identify and evaluate noise issues but also present to the FAA potential and actionable measures for noise abatement and/or mitigation, according to the Jefferson County website. There is also the opportunity for more community involvement through public open houses.

The FAA considers participation from adjacent jurisdictions to be an important part of a Part 150 study, according to the county.      

The study, which began in the fall of 2024, is partially funded by an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant.  The study is expected to take approximately two years to complete.  Airport stakeholders should monitor the airport’s website for engagement opportunities in the first quarter of 2025, say officials.

Critics of the airport – including Westminster residents – have claimed persistent airport operations are damaging the local environment through noise and leaded fuel usage. The Westminster City Council has asked the Jefferson County Commissioners to put more restrictions on planes taking off and landing at the airport.

Between 1990 and 2023, airport operations increased at RMMA by about 98 % with the population of the surrounding communities increasing by around 72%.

Airport supporters point out that the facility contributes about 5,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in total economic impacts to the surrounding area.

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The City of Littleton is undertaking a comprehensive Elati Street Corridor Study throughout 2025 aimed at transforming Elati Street into a safer, more comfortable, and multimodal-friendly corridor. 

Elati Street is a key north-south route in Littleton, stretching around 2.5 miles from north of Littleton Boulevard to the High Line Canal. The corridor is primarily residential, providing access to three Littleton public schools, multiple parks, and trails.

“The City of Littleton wants to make sure we are hearing from the community that uses Elati Street,” said Shane Roberts, project manager for the City of Littleton. “This area is essential to so many community members and provides access to three Littleton Public Schools. We want to make sure the proposed improvements reflect their needs for the corridor and ultimately improve their experience using Elati Street.” 

This study is part of Littleton’s broader Safer Streets program that prioritizes safety improvements and enhances multiple transportation options such as walking, biking, rolling and driving. 

Elati Street has been designated in the city’s Transportation Master Plan as a “neighborhood connector” and a pedestrian and bike priority street, a corridor that the city said is vital for local connectivity and non-motorized travel.

A self-guided online meeting for residents to read about the study and provide their input was available until June 30. The website detailed areas along the corridor that had the most car crashes between December 2019 and December 2024. Some of these intersections were:

• Caley Avenue and Elati Street, which experienced four crashes — two broadside, two rear end
• Littleton Boulevard and Elati Street, with three recorded crashes — two broadside, one sideswipe
• Euclid Avenue and Elati Street, also with three crashes — two broadside, one fixed object

The online meeting included information about speeding, walkability and bicycle facility data and allowed visitors to add comments on the map of the corridor. People could leave comments by clicking on the mode of transportation and ranking if it works well, needs improvement or feels unsafe. There was also an option to rank parking and drainage along Elati Street.

Of the 52 total comments made on the map, 27 noted areas where transportation felt unsafe, three of which were listed at the northernmost end of Elati Street where it intersects Littleton Boulevard. Three comments stated that walking and driving felt unsafe at the intersection.

15 comments addressed areas that needed improvement, such as needing improvement for driving in the roundabout at Arapahoe Road and Elati Street.

Six feedback comments discussed areas that worked well for walking, biking and driving, one being at the crosswalk on Elati Street that connects to the Lee Gulch Trail path.

The study will be conducted in four key phases, with the first phase including the online public feedback webpage. The following three phases are:

• Development and evaluation of alternatives: Multiple improvement options will be created and assessed based on feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with identified needs from public feedback.
• Early implementation opportunities: Identify short-term improvements that can be quickly designed and constructed to provide immediate benefits, while also serving as a sustainable foundation for longer-term projects.

Ongoing community collaboration: Littleton will actively engage residents throughout the study, offering opportunities to share ideas and stay informed via email updates. Residents can sign up at the study’s website.

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Mobility hubs are transportation centers that aim to provide high-quality transportation infrastructure, including real-time passenger information and opportunities to create transit-friendly development. 

Jessica Myklebust, the RTD director of Region 1, said the hubs are strategically located to conveniently connect various transportation modes. 

“Ultimately they’re designed to reduce a person’s reliance on their own vehicle, allowing them to easily transition to another mode of transportation,” Myklebust said. “The goal is simplifying travel, reducing wait times and making a more pleasant travel experience.” 

The Lone Tree hub will connect a network of hubs along I-25 from Fort Collins to Pueblo. 

The location will also provide access to RTD’s light rails, the city’s Link On Demand transit service, CDOT’s interregional express bus service – known as Bustang – and allow for connectivity through the Lincoln Avenue interchange to jobs, housing and the upcoming Lone Tree City Center. 

It will be providing “another travel option if they don’t want to get into a car to go see sporting events downtown,” said Myklebust. “This will also provide (people with) another way to reach the Colorado Springs area and other popular destinations along the Front Range.”

The $16.5 million project is funded by CDOT, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Douglas County, the City of Lone Tree and the Southeast Public Improvement Metro District. It is expected to be complete by fall 2026. 

Construction of the Lone Tree Station Mobility Hub is already underway at the I-25 and Lincoln Avenue interchange. 

Just south of Lincoln Avenue, construction will include slip ramps along the I-25 northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp for Bustang services, and allow for safer access for pedestrians. Bus shelters, new sidewalks and a passenger pick-up and drop-off area will also be constructed. 

For pedestrians and cyclists, a 286-foot bridge will be built over I-25 to connect the two transit stops and a highway for cyclists connecting to the Lone Tree trail network. There will also be ramps, and stairs will be provided on the west side of the hub between I-25 and the Trainstation Circle. 

Sally Chafee, CDOT’s acting executive director, said that with I-25 being the “backbone of the Front Range,” expanding transportation options for the growing south-metro area is a necessity. 

“This means more efficient travel options for people, and less traffic and congestion on I-25 and our local roads,” said Chafee. “From here, the network will continue to grow south to Castle Rock, Monument, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.” 

Anticipated traffic impacts

With general working hours for the project to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday – with occasional night work – motorists and pedestrians can expect numerous traffic impacts. 

The southbound I-25 on-ramp and northbound I-25 off-ramp at Lincoln Avenue will experience lane shifts throughout the project, with intermittent full closures. During full ramp closures, detour routes will be in place. 

There will also be occasional single- and multi-lane closures on northbound and southbound I-25 around the Lincoln Avenue Interchange. 

A full closure across I-25 can be anticipated this fall. This closure may span over several nights to set the pedestrian bridge over the interstate. 

Other impacts include shifting center lanes on northbound and southbound I-25 to allow for median construction work and pedestrian sidewalk detours. 

Concept drawings and maps of the construction can be found on the CDOT website at codot.gov/projects/i25lonetreemobilityhub. 

Motorists and pedestrians can also refer to cotrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures, and can sign up for email notifications at subscription.cotrip.org/alerts/construction. 

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Whether it’s getting to and from work, appointments, school or shopping, Highlands Ranch residents now have a new and free way to get around the community through Via’s Link on Demand service. 

It’s an app-based service that connects users to specific destinations across Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, such as the Wildcat Shopping Center, the Lone Tree Arts Center or Park Meadows Retail Resort. 

With 15 vehicles in Highlands Ranch and four full-time vehicles in Lone Tree, the service is designed to serve a wide range of users, including students, older adults and individuals with disabilities. 

Following the success of the City of Lone Tree’s Link on Demand service, the Douglas County commissioners previously approved a $2.9 million contract with Via Transportation Inc. for microstransit services to expand into Highlands Ranch. 

As previously reported by the Highlands Ranch Herald, the county anticipates 2,200 to 2,400 rides per week. 

Additionally, the county believes there are popular destinations for rides, so users can select those specific locations in choosing where they need to go. 

These locations include the Littleton/Mineral Station, Redstone Park, Civic Green Park/ Highlands Ranch Library, Highlands Ranch Senior Center, Highland Heritage Park, Lone Tree Recreation Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Lincoln Station. 

The Link on Demand service runs daily, except on Sundays and select holidays. 

Service hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. 

How to request a ride

First, download the Link on Demand app and create an account. 

Enter the pick up and drop off location addresses and click “book this ride.” Users can tap on the accessibility icon in their r profile to request a wheelchair accessible vehicle. 

Once the ride is confirmed, the user will be given an estimated time of arrival and they can follow the driver’s progress in real-time. The app will also give the user directions to their virtual bus stop. 

Users might have to walk to their virtual bus stop as this is a shared ride service. 

Those wanting a ride but do not have access to a mobile device can all 719-212-2430 to schedule a ride. 

Learn more about the service at City.RideWithVia.com/LinkOnDemand. 

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People hoping to work for the Regional Transportation District can explore their career options on Friday during the agency’s Bus and Rail Career Fair, 3-6 p.m. at RTD’s Platte Division, 3333 Ringsby Ct. in Denver.

The event is for a variety of roles including bus and rail operators for full- or part-time opportunities as well as maintenance, technical and supervisors and manager roles within the bus and rail operations teams, according to an RTD news release.

The agency states that candidates who are hired as bus or rail operators will receive a $4,000 signing bonus and paid training, including commercial driver’s license training, and guidance through the permit process for bus operator candidates. Bus and rail operator pay starts at $25.96 an hour and qualified candidates need to have a domestic driver’s license valid for at least two years, the agency states in the news release. 

Kiosks will be available on site for candidates to apply for open roles and RTD staff will be available to assist with the application process. Based on applications, qualified candidates will be invited to a pre-hire session for bus and rail operator roles. 

RTD has installed live look-in cameras across its bus fleet and is installing the technology on its light rail vehicles to improve safety and security and to support a welcoming transit environment for operators and customers, the news release states.

In addition, the agency installed upgraded barrier shields across its bus fleet for operator safety.  

The bus or rail operator role is a career that people can retire from or start as a second career. It provides a needed service for the community and contributes to the agency’s mission of making lives better through connections. RTD invests in its employees and trains them for future leadership roles within RTD and the transit industry, the news release states.

Career fair attendees can learn more about RTD’s benefits and opportunities during Friday’s event. 

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The groundbreaking for a new mobility hub at Colorado Highway 7 and I-25 Wednesday signaled a huge step forward for residents in Thornton and others who yearn for a mass transit option to travel on the northern Front Range, Thornton Councilmember Chris Russell said.

“This definitely momentous,” said Russell, who heaved the first shovel full of dirt to start the construction of the hub. “We will be adding mass transit for residents, businesses in this area. This is vital for the growth along this I-25 corridor.”

Russell and several local and state officials on Wednesday helped mark the beginnings of the fourth mobility hub on the I-25 north corridor. Ten years in the making, the hub is scheduled for completion in fall 2026.

Its location on the southeast corner of Colorado 7 and I-25 and next to the Larkridge Shopping Center, allows commuters to get out of their cars and take to other forms of transportation, officials said.

“We are offering alternatives to just sitting in traffic,” said Sally Chaffee, acting executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The facility will provide a fourth location for people to not only access CDOT’s Bustang’s bus line on the north corridor but also connect to the local transit system between Boulder and Brighton along Colorado 7, said Jessica Myklebust, CDOT’s Region One Transportation Director.

The three other CDOT mobility hubs operating along I-25 in the north are at Firestone-Longmont, Berthoud and Centerra Loveland.

“Initially, this hub will be able to accommodate 152 vehicles, with the ability to double its size to 304 vehicles,” Myklebust said. “It will also have slip ramps next to the main I-25 ramps, allowing people to safely enter or exit the buses. “

The slip ramps will also allow Bustang vehicles to exit and reenter I-25 with little or no delay, she said.

Other features on the hub, according to a CDOT news release, include:

• Pedestrian bridge over I-25, providing safe access to the southbound ramp
• Bus shelters
• New traffic signals at I-25/Colorado 7 ramps
• Additional sidewalks
• Permanent water quality pond.

Mobility hubs are planned for Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Monument, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Idaho Springs, Grand Junction and Fairplay.

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  A “town hall” meeting for community members and users of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is scheduled for May 22 to ask questions about airport operations and the facility’s future growth.

The meeting will be divided into two sessions, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and then from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the main terminal building – 11755 Airport Way – in the Flatirons Room.

People can ask questions, share feedback and learn about what’s ahead of the airport.

“We’ll be discussing updates and answering questions from each department,” according to a news release. “No formal presentations – just real conversations.”

Erick Dahl – the airport’s new director – has said he wants to reach out to the local community to discuss airport operations. Residents have said airport officials have dismissed their complaints about airport noise and other environmental concerns.   

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Golden’s 19th Street around the Colorado School of Mines campus will be updated over the next two summers, as the university plans to improve pedestrian crossings before its new student housing facilities open.

The west-campus intersection of 19th Street and Moly Road will be updated this summer, before Mines Park opens in August.

The Village at Mines Park will have five apartment buildings and 19 completely renovated apartment buildings, totaling 1,058 beds, according to the Mines website.

To accommodate these students, Mines officials said they’re working with city staff to install a raised, unsignaled crosswalk across 19th Street.

Jason T. Slowinski, associate vice president of infrastructure & operations, said the goal behind updating the intersection is to effectively funnel students and other pedestrians to the designated crosswalk rather than people choosing to cross in unsafe areas.

Improvements to the intersection should start this month, Slowinski said at a recent community meeting. Most of the work should be complete before The Village at Mines Park opens in August.

Then, next summer, Slowinski said Mines is planning to improve 19th Street in front of the new sophomore dorm, midway between Elm and Illinois Streets.

According to the Mines website, the dorm is set to open in August 2026. It will be dedicated to housing second-year students, with more than 800 beds.

To accommodate the large number of students who will need to cross 19th Street regularly, Slowinski said the university plans to build a raised, signaled pedestrian crossing directly in front of the dorm.

This crossing will connect to a pedestrian walkway through campus, which will perfectly align with Maple Plaza in front of Lockridge Arena and Maple Street farther north. Mines was scheduled to start working on the pedestrian walkway through campus, between 18th and 19th streets, this summer.

As for the raised, signaled crosswalk across 19th Street, Slowinski said it’s still being designed but he and his colleagues hope to start work next summer. The project would include building the crosswalk itself, as well as updating the medians and the streetscape along 19th Street.

He clarified how the signal won’t be an automatic flashing beacon that allows pedestrians to cross whenever it’s pressed. Instead, it will work in conjunction with the light at Illinois Street for maximum efficiency, and give pedestrians a “walk” or “don’t walk” signal based on the timing.

Bill Fisher, who sits on the Golden City Council, pointed out how Mines will add hundreds of residents to the 19th Street corridor between Mines Park and the new sophomore dorm. He asked what enhancements Mines will provide to accommodate additional vehicle traffic “on this already congested road.”

Slowinski said he disagreed with the premise of the question, saying there should be “less commuters” now that Mines is adding on-campus housing.

He said several commuter parking lots on the south side of 19 Street would be converted to parking for students who live on campus. Additionally, he clarified that Mines Park residents won’t be allowed to drive to campus, as they can walk or take the Ore Cart shuttle.

Overall, he said, the university wants to decrease the number of student vehicles along 19th Street, not add to it.

Other projects, updates

During the online community meeting, Slowinski also updated the attendees on other construction projects that Mines will continue working on this summer, including Phase II of the West End Zone improvements at Marv Kay Stadium.

The new concessions, ADA improvements and other items should be finished by the time for the football team’s Sept. 13 home opener.

Separate from its construction projects, Mines will be updating its parking management on campus over the summer. Slowinski said this will include renaming its parking lots, improving signage and simplifying its parking permitting system.

Additionally, the university is also uploading the Ore Cart shuttle’s schedule to the Transit app, allowing users to check the shuttle’s schedule and connect to RTD public transit options.

With the spring semester and graduations over, Slowinski said the Orediggers will return Aug. 16 for fall convocation, with classes starting Aug. 25.The next online community will be July 24.

For information on how to attend, visit mines.edu/operations/community-news.

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The Regional Transportation District is launching an education campaign for employees and riders to identify and report human trafficking.

RTD said it is partnering with Truckers Against Trafficking – TAT – and the Denver Anti-Trafficking Alliance – DATA – to kick start a Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign throughout the RTD system. The focus of the campaign is to educate young customers, families and community members on how to identify and report trafficking, RTD says.

An RTD news release states that human trafficking is a serious crime that affects people worldwide, including in Colorado. It involves severe exploitation for labor or commercial sex through force, fraud or coercion. Victims may be forced to work long hours for little or no pay, and traffickers often take their identification, making it difficult to access transportation and human services, according to the news release.

Survivors often seek to escape by bus, train or flee to a transit center. As the region’s public transit provider, RTD is uniquely positioned to help identify and disrupt trafficking, the agency’s officials say.

“I value RTD’s partnerships with TAT and DATA,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson, said in the news release. “Collectively, we aim to educate employees, customers and the general public about human trafficking while sharing resources to help eliminate it in our communities.” 

RTD Transit Police – RTD-PD –  trains and certifies its officers to recognize, investigate and report human trafficking. RTD-PD also partners with the Denver Police Department and the FBI. The agencies work together to conduct an operation to better recognize and aid young adults who are at risk, runaways or have been victimized, the news release states. These law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to support combined efforts focused on preventing human trafficking. 

There are several “red flags” that may indicate an individual is a victim of trafficking. RTD says examples include individuals who are not allowed to speak for themselves, whose tickets and/or ID cards are being controlled by another person and minors who are unaware of the person they are traveling to meet or reference meeting “a friend from the internet.”

Human trafficking groomers may approach individuals who look vulnerable to recruit victims, the news release states.

Customers and community members are encouraged to review resources shared on RTD’s social channels (RideRTD) and advertisements on RTD’s buses and at stations. The agency also created a webpage dedicated to human trafficking education.

The agency said RTD staff will share these resources with community members during regularly scheduled outreach activities throughout the month, which can be found on the RTD Community Calendar. Internally, RTD employees have access to additional training resources to further their understanding of trafficking and learn about the ways they can help stop it. 

Customers who suspect an individual is a victim of human trafficking should contact law enforcement directly and should never confront a suspected trafficker. To report an incident in Colorado, call the Colorado Human Trafficking Hotline is 866-455-5075. The Call Center is available 24/7. The hotline can be reached via text on 720-999-9724 from noon to midnight MST.  

For more information and resources, visit RTD’s Youth on Transportation Safety Month page.

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On April 22, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance regarding the regulation of traffic and parking. 

It passed with a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner George Teal voting no.

“Recreational vehicle parking should be at the owner’s (discretion) in unincorporated Douglas County,” said Commissioner Teal, explaining his no vote. 

At the board’s April 8 business meeting, Cmdr. Alan Stanton of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recommended that the board adopt the ordinance in order to “promote the general public welfare and safety by imposing and enforcing reasonable and necessary traffic and parking restrictions in the county.” Stanton cited safety concerns from parking commercial and recreational vehicles in highly urbanized areas as the primary driver behind this new ordinance.

The sheriff’s office identified nine urban and suburban areas in which commercial vehicles will not be allowed to park, and three in which recreational vehicles will not be allowed to park. These three locations are Highlands Ranch, the Chatfield Urban Area and the Parker Municipal Planning Area including Stonegate. 

Drivers of commercial vehicles will automatically receive fines in these areas, and those of recreational vehicles will be allowed 72 hours of parking within a 7-day period before receiving fines.

In addition to these new restrictions, the ordinance establishes several new permitted parking areas, many near schools. It also limits parking of commercial and recreational vehicles in several private lots, including recreation centers.

The proposed policy change follows 2022’s Colorado House Bill 22-1139, which forbids homeowner’s associations from prohibiting the use of public rights-of-way. Stanton says that since the passage of this bill, the county sheriff’s office has received a number of complaints about oversized vehicles parked in residential areas.

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