To advance local priorities and create an accessible, multimodal transportation network, the city of Thornton is undertaking the Colorado Boulevard Separated Bike Facility Study to address multimodal mobility needs along Colorado Boulevard from 88th Avenue to the E470 interchange. This project will study the feasibility of different types of separated bike facilities, such as multiuse side paths, cycle tracks, or protected bike lanes, for various sections of the 8.25-mile-long corridor. Protected bike facilities provide physical separation between vehicles and bicycles, creating a safer, more comfortable environment for biking. The study is funded through a Transportation Improvement Program grant administered by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (TIP-ID 2024-017).
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Public outreach during the development of Thornton’s Transportation Mobility Master Plan (TMMP) revealed the following are considered the top barriers to bicycling in Thornton, as identified by residents:
Busy streets
Lack of connectivity of comfortable bicycling facilities
Disconnected trails
Insufficient or poorly marked bike lanes
Focusing on improving the bicycle network by adding separation between bicyclists and vehicle traffic can help provide safer, more efficient, easier-to-navigate, and higher-comfort multimodal facilities to accommodate people of all ages and abilities and break down barriers to multimodal travel.
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Colorado Boulevard is a major north/south arterial roadway. The majority of the corridor, from 88th Avenue to 128th Avenue, was included in the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) high-injury network, which identifies roadways with the highest numbers of fatal and serious-injury crashes. While there are on-street bike lanes in some sections of the study corridor, high vehicle speeds and volumes create a stressful bicycling environment that is uncomfortable for users of all ages and abilities. Due to the current bicycling environment and history of serious and frequent crashes, the city of Thornton has prioritized Colorado Boulevard as a key corridor to address bicycle network gaps and focus safety improvements.
Timeline and Key Milestones
Project Commencement: Spring 2026
Existing Conditions Analysis: Spring 2026
Public Engagement Phase 1: Spring/Summer 2026
Alternatives Analysis: Summer/Fall 2026
Public Engagement Phase 2: Fall 2026
Preliminary (30%) Design and Final Study: Winter 2026/Spring 2027
