Transportation Advocacy

Interstate 70 is a dominant feature of life for many Clear Creek County residents. Congested traffic on the interstate limits the mobility of County residents, impacts the region's air and water. Simultaneously, the interstate also brings tens of thousands of tourists that drive the County's economy. There is a lot riding on that highway…pun intended.

For all of these reasons, Clear Creek County works to represent the interests of its residents and the land that we share. The County's transportation advocacy efforts seek to:

Ensure that travel improvements in the corridor are in keeping with the Clear Creek County Transportation Vision and protect the economic interests and health of residents of Clear Creek.

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY TRANSIT OPTIONS

A variety of transit options are available in Clear Creek County:

● RoundAbout - RoundAbout is Clear Creek County's free bus service with one route between Silverplume, Empire, Georgetown, Dumont, and Idaho Springs and another route between Idaho Springs Park-n-Ride, the Evergreen, and the Bergen-Park King Soopers. The RoundAbout offers route deviations by request with advance notice.

● Bustang (West Line) - Bustang offer's bus service seven days a week to/from Denver – stops include Denver Union Station, Lakewood-Denver Federal Center, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail, Avon, Eagle and points further west all the way to Grand Junction. Each bus is ADA compliant and equipped with a restroom, bike racks, free WiFi, power outlets and USB ports. Cost: $17 one way to get from Denver to Vail, less for closer destinations.

● Outrider (Craig-Denver Route) - Outrider’s bus service runs seven days a week between Craig and Denver – stops include Steamboat Springs, Granby, Fraser, Winter Park, Idaho Springs, Lakewood-Denver Federal Center and Denver Union Station. Each bus is ADA compliant and equipped with a restroom, free WiFi, power outlets and USB ports. Cost: $5-$28 depending on destination.

● Winter Park Express - Seasonal train between Denver Union Station and the base of Winter Park Resort on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between January-April. Cost: Fares starting at $29 and $14.50 for kids (one way)

● Pegasus (coming Spring 2022) - Shuttle van service offering approximate hourly service and reserved seating between Denver and Avon — stops include Denver Union Station, Lakewood-Denver Federal Center, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail and Avon on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays. Pegasus will use the Mountain Express Lanes when they are open for a faster trip. Each van is ADA compliant and equipped with bike racks, ski/snowboard containers, free WiFi, and power outlets. Cost: $20 one way from Denver to Avon, less for closer destinations.

● Snowstang - Direct-to-resort bus service from Denver Union Station and Lakewood-Denver Federal Center to Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain and Steamboat Springs on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays. Each bus is ADA compliant and equipped with a restroom, free WiFi, power outlets and USB ports. Cost: Starting at $25 round trip. Kids ages 2-11 ride free with an adult. Buy one get one free promotion is in play on all adult tickets now through Feb 27.

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY TRANSPORTATION VISION

In the summer of 2013, the Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners undertook a community visioning process to ensure transportation projects in the County were consistent with the goals, issues and values of the County and its residents. County residents, business owners, County officials and other interested parties collaborated in a workshop to build that vision. The shared values that were identified included:

• Protecting small town communities and rural mountain settings
• Enhancing the vibrant local economy
• Preserving the natural, healthy environment
• Identifying and protecting local nationally recognized historic assets

PROTECTING THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS AND HEALTH OF RESIDENTS

A key interest for the County is to increase transportation capacity (how many people and how much payload) and reduce congestion. More people and more goods need to be transported through the corridor, with every passing week it would seem. We all know how congestion impacts our lives. But we also know that more lanes may just mean more cars crawling slowly through. We want more people to contribute to our economy but we don’t want the congestion those people bring. So what do we do?

Defining Capacity Broadly

As we collaborate to increase capacity and reduce congestion, maintaining a broad view of HOW to expand capacity is critical. Broadly defined capacity expansion, through innovation and technology, offers potential solutions for more capacity in the corridor without more congestion. Innovative solutions include high-speed transit, multi-passenger and autonomous vehicles, and travel demand management.

Our priority is protecting the health and economic interests of Clear Creek County residents by advocating for solutions that increase capacity and decrease congestion on I-70.

Protecting Our Quality of Life

Roads and driving cause pollution; vehicle emissions and construction dust get in our air; snow removal materials get in our water; nighttime construction disrupts our sleep; noise spreads into our living rooms and construction alters our views. From aesthetic guidelines that must be adhered to, to successfully obtaining air monitors, to creating teams to monitor water quality, Clear Creek County has for decades advocated and fought for tools, data, monitoring and agreements that help us track and limit the negative impacts of these forces.