Boulder County Transportation updates

Several transportation issues that could affect Niwot residents and visitors are in the news.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has approved a five-year plan that is the largest overhaul of the system since the 1970s. However, the plan is to return service to only 85% of pre-pandemic levels. Not all services will return from being suspended during the pandemic.

RTD’s changes will include returning the FF2 express bus between Boulder and Denver to service, along with the LX bus service between Longmont and Denver. On the other hand, the Y route between Boulder and Lyons will not be returning to service. In Denver, the light rail lines C and F are permanently suspended, although the rails will continue to be used by other routes.

A new plan called "Mobility & Access for All Ages & Abilities" was adopted by the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on July 28. It supplements the BoCo Transportation master plan to provide for the multi-modal transit of people with special needs.

Among the recreation shuttles this year, there is bus service to Estes Park. The route from Lyons is $3 one way. It serves as an entry ticket to Rocky Mountain National Park, too, if you’re headed that way.

The state-wide e-bike rebate program will begin in January 2023. $12 million in funding was approved by the Colorado Legislature for this program, which will be administered by the Colorado Energy Office. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming information about applying for rebates.

On Aug. 4, the BOCC approved a ballot issue to extend the expiration date of the transportation sales tax of 0.1% from 2024 to 2039.

The repaving of 2nd Avenue in Niwot is still planned for this summer, but no date has been finalized. The work should take two or three days, according to county officials.

We are half-way through RTD’s Zero Fare for Better Air which is in effect during the month of August, Colorado’s highest ozone season. This is a state-wide initiative funded by the Colorado Legislature in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, which provides free trips on RTD bus lines and many regional public transportation services, such as the FLEX bus line between Boulder, Longmont and Fort Collins.