I-70 Coalition, setting the pace for the future

Traffic on I-70

About The I-70 Coalition

Mission: "To enhance public accessibility and mobility in the I-70 Central Mountain Corridor and adjoining dependent counties and municipalities through the implementation of joint public & private transportation management efforts."

Colorado's I-70 Mountain Corridor is like a clogged artery leading right to the heart of Colorado.

Solution: A transportation infrastructure through the northern and central mountain communities that is efficient, safe and environmentally sound, for this and future generations.

History of The Coalition

In January 2004, more than 30 political jurisdictions formalized the I-70 Coalition by adopting an intergovernmental agreement to address transportation issues along the I-70 mountain corridor and to specifically respond to the Draft I-70 Central Mountain Transportation Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) issued by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

In May 2005, the coalition unanimously approved a regionally preferred alternative in response to CDOT's PEIS. The coalition's alternative is multi-modal and addresses transportation issues in the mountain corridor over the next 50 years. The alternative was derived from portions of CDOT's PEIS and includes concepts to enhance public accessibility and mobility while meeting transportation goals of the Front Range, mountain corridor and adjoining communities. Additionally, the coalition's preferred alternative addresses issues such as safety improvements, noise mitigation and environmental programs, not specifically addressed in the PEIS.

In 2006 the Coalition expanded to include private partners including Vail Resorts, Inc., Intrawest Corporation, Gart Companies, the Vail Valley Partnership and Summit County Chamber of Commerce, as well as added Front Range governmental members Jefferson County and the City of Golden. These new members will be important to the success of the organization as it moves forward. With the help of its partners, especially the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, the Coalition received a $30,000 grant and hosted a transit workshop held in October at Copper Mountain that included panelists from Colorado and across the nation who discussed transit technology, structures, financing opportunities and transit alternatives.

In 2007, the Coalition is continuing to distribute information about its preferred alternative and invite other public entities and private sector organizations to participate. This includes presentations along the I-70 mountain corridor, on the Front Range and throughout Colorado. Members of the public are encourage to attend one of the many presentations or to schedule a presentation for their organization to learn more about the Coalition and its goals and objectives. Also in 2007, the Coalition expects to begin the implementation of a $500,000 transit planning grant from CDOT that will be used to complete a land-use planning and zoning effort for all Coalition member jurisdictions to ensure transit systems and transit-related development will be accommodated in the future. As an organization, the Coalition also will respond to the CDOT's Final Planning and Environmental Impact Statement for the mountain corridor, which is scheduled to be released in late 2007.

Coalition members, both private and public, are coordinating efforts to implement long-term transportation improvements along the mountain corridor while representing the Coalition's best interests. The Coalition is proving to be a powerful voice for local and regional transportation interests. Coalition members, both public and private, are coordinating efforts to implement long-term transportation improvements along the mountain corridor, while representing the coalition's best interests by carrying out such improvements from conception to completion.

Value of the Coalition

  • Research and plan for a preferred transit solution for the I-70 mountain corridor.
  • Pursue construction mitigation strategies including alternate route development.
  • Seek funding (private and public) to assist in hiring and retaining personnel who will serve as a liaison for the I-70 Coalition.
  • Continue to work with CDOT to help define construction and operational mitigation policies for the mountain corridor and work cooperatively on future environmental studies.
  • Partner with the Front Range and Mountain Corridor Transit Agencies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Transportation Planning Regions to create seamless transit connectivity from the Front Range into the I-70 mountain corridor.
  • Pursue the most appropriate organizational structure to effectively develop and implement a 21st century transit solution in the I-70 mountain corridor.

Coalition Members

Counties:

Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jefferson and Summit.

Municipalities:

Aspen, Avon, Breckenridge, Carbondale, Dillon, Eagle, Empire, Fraser, Frisco, Georgetown, Glenwood Springs, Golden, Grand Lake, Idaho Springs, Leadville, Minturn, Silverthorne, Silver Plume, Vail, and Winter Park.

Private Sector Members:

Intrawest Colorado and Vail Resorts, Inc.

Other Members:

Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA).