Northern Colorado is a fast-growing area that faces many challenges and opportunities as it develops. The future transportation systems available to northern Colorado residents will be a key feature that determines how this area develops as well as the environmental and economic health of the landscape and the citizens. The two main north-south transportation corridors that connect northern Colorado to the Denver metropolitan area – I-25 and the Highway 287 – are both currently overused and in need of improvements. With this goal in mind, the Colorado Department of Transportation initiated a North I-25 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to consider how to update these critical transportation systems.

In October 2008, the North I-25 Draft EIS was released which provided two alternatives: "Package A" that would widen I-25 and place passenger rail along the train tracks that run parallel to Highway 287, and "Package B" that would put a widened toll lane on I-25 and bus rapid transit on I-25.

Clean Water Action supports "Package A," with modification, of the North I-25 DEIS. Package A is a clean energy transportation solution for northern Colorado that promotes hi-density core-city redevelopment, reduces sprawl, incorporates transit, and provides safe and reliable means for moving people around that will lead to a higher quality of environmental and economic health. In addition, Package A provides fiscal responsibility that promotes the best use of taxpayer dollars that will increase economic opportunity and the overall prosperity of the region.

Clean Water Action endorses this modification of Package A:

• "Transit First": The passenger rail system for the Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) line should be built before I-25 is further widened. By investing in Transit First, the 1.3 billion-dollar expenditure for widening I-25 may be significantly delayed or completely unnecessary. Transit First will also significantly reduce ongoing maintenance costs on north I-25.

Learn More

• For more information, visit the North I-25 EIS webpage
• Get information about the alternative packages.