CO 7 (Arapahoe Ave.) corridor planning team looking for input from public on plans for 28th to 63rd St. by Nov. 6

News Release

October 27, 2023 - Northeastern Colorado - Video presentation available on project site for info

Boulder/Broomfield/Adams/Weld counties — The CO 7 (Arapahoe Avenue) Corridor Segment A project is tackling transportation challenges in a critical commuter and business route between 28th Street and 63rd Street.

This project aims to improve safety, enhance transit options, ease congestion, and connect the Northwest Region between Brighton and Boulder.

A public presentation has been posted to the study’s website at: codot.gov/projects/studies/co7-brighton-boulder/segmenta

The video on the site has a link in the description that goes to a form for input from the public on the plan. Input is being sought until Nov. 6.

More about Segment A

The CO 7 (Arapahoe Avenue) Corridor Segment A between 28th Street and 63rd Street is in the preliminary design study and environmental phase. The corridor is a critical commuter and business route (transit, biking, personal vehicle, goods movement) connecting the Northwest Region. The project area is commonly known as East Arapahoe, a six-lane road and one of the City of Boulder’s most heavily traveled commuter corridors. This project will provide a safe multimodal transportation system that supports the economy, enhances the environment, and improves the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

As part of the preliminary design phase, the project team will identify infrastructure costs that help us pursue funding to construct the improvements in the future.

The entire project study

CO 7 Multimodal Corridor between Brighton and Boulder is gaining speed. Colorado Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation District and local agencies are collaborating efforts on CO 7 between Brighton and Boulder to identify potential improvements along the corridor.

The vision is to improve traveler safety, efficiency and operations and access to multimodal travel along a nearly 25-mile stretch of CO 7. Early planning and design along CO 7 will assist in creating a cohesive and consistent corridor.

CO 7 was originally a two-lane, rural arterial highway. Rapid population and employment growth in the communities and urban center developments along the highway have transformed the highway’s travel patterns and functionality. Today, CO 7 is evolving into a major east-west arterial connecting residents to jobs, activity centers and the regional transportation system. There are projected to be more than 49,000 new households by 2050 and 38,000 new jobs along the corridor by 2040. This is expected to lead to a 37 percent increase in traffic along an already congested corridor.

To address this growth, early planning and design efforts are intended to identify priority projects so, as funding becomes available, improvements can be made along the corridor. The large driving force for this corridor is the CO 7 Coalition. The CO 7 Coalition consists of representatives from the following jurisdictions: the cities of Boulder, Brighton, Lafayette and Thornton, the Town of Erie, Adams and Boulder counties, and the City and County of Broomfield. Additional coalition members include Commuting Solutions, the Northwest Chamber Alliance, Smart Commute, Boulder Transportation Connections, RTD and CDOT.

This coalition provides a forum to coordinate and advocate for the planning and implementation of multimodal transit improvements and transit supportive development in the CO 7 corridor between Brighton and Boulder. More specifically, the coalition is advocating for a multimodal corridor that includes high-quality/high-frequency Bus Rapid Transit service; a regional bikeway accompanied by local bus, bike and pedestrian connections; first and final mile connections; and future innovative transportation modes.

The CO 7 Coalition is also advocating for and working collaboratively with local officials to secure funding for studies and improvements that support the corridor goals.

Numerous cities, counties and local agencies are working hard to identify construction funding while these study efforts are ongoing. Many grant programs that provide funding for projects want to see tangible planning efforts in place first, so they know the local jurisdictions are committed to the effort. Having preliminary design plans completed will make this corridor construction ready, giving it an advantage over other projects that haven’t gone through the initial planning efforts.

About the CO 7 Corridor

The CO 7 Multimodal Corridor extends between US 85 in Brighton and 28th Street in Boulder. The corridor consists of separate project segments from A to M. Each segment is in an early planning and design phase (10 to 15 percent) and will work to identify improvements that align with the corridor goals. Construction funding is currently not secured. The planning and preliminary design efforts will allow for segments to advance further into design once funding is identified.

CO 7 Multimodal Corridor map
CO 7 Multimodal Corridor Brighton to Boulder map

How to get involved

There will be public engagement opportunities as design advances for each segment, giving community members a chance to learn more about projects in their area. Residents in the cities and counties along the CO 7 route can also reach out to their local government for information.

Any input about the corridor or individual segments are welcome through these avenues:

For more information visit the corridor website:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!