Thank you for taking this survey to provide input to Douglas County on potential new public transit options. We expect this to take about 10-15 minutes, and longer if you wish to provide written comments. All questions are optional and you are welcome to skip over sections that may not apply to you. We value your input. The feedback we hear in this survey will inform future transit services in Douglas County.

The survey is open from February 3, 2025 until March 2, 2025. Please reach out to traffic@douglas.co.us for assistance with this survey.

Douglas County is also hosting two public meetings to share information about the transit study and hear from the community on these potential transit options (the same information will be presented at both meetings):

  • Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street; Castle Rock, CO 80104
  • Thursday, Feb. 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, 200 E Highlands Ranch Parkway in Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

You can view the materials presented at the public meetings by clicking the file below.

Background

Douglas County has been engaging with the community and performing data analysis of existing trends and travel patterns to identify potential new transit options for the county. These options are still in the draft phase, and only a portion of them would likely be implemented, based on funding availability and prioritization. The options most likely to improve mobility for all county residents and visitors are the ones most likely to be implemented. You can learn more about the study and summaries from previous phases HERE

Potential public transit options under consideration are at the subregional (between cities) and local (within cities) levels, including:

  • Three subregional fixed routes
  • Two local circulators
  • Three microtransit zones

Click the buttons below to learn about each transit option, its advantages and disadvantages, and see Colorado examples.

A subregional fixed route is a direct route connecting destinations in multiple jurisdictions, with flexible frequencies based on time or day and day of the week. This type of service is often paired with Park-and-Ride lots and can operate as a more specialized service that primarily serves commuters, students, medical patients, or shoppers. Travel times are more competitive with driving due to limited stops along the way, but these routes may have multiple stops on the ends of the routes to provide direct access to key destinations. The map below is an example of a regional fixed route (Poudre Express) that connects Greeley, Windsor, and Fort Collins and is operated by Greeley Evans Transit (GET).

  • Advantages: Provides frequent service during peak times; faster travel times; consistent on-time performance.
  • Disadvantages: Covers fewer passengers in between stops; runs less frequently during off-peak times.
A circulator is a fixed route on a set schedule that serves local destinations with low to moderate frequency. Trips tend to be less than three miles and trips could deviate slightly from the set route. Travel times are typically longer than travel by car. This service will likely require complementary ADA paratransit service. The map below is an example of a circulator service, Loveland COLT Route 7, operated in Loveland, CO.

  • Advantages: Many stops are within walking distance; service is frequent during peak periods (typically every 10 to 30 minutes); serves short-distance passengers with destinations just outside of comfortable walking or biking distance.
  • Disadvantages: Many stops, winding routes, and lower speeds can result in longer travel times and lower reliability; service can be less frequent during off-peak periods; this service will likely require complementary ADA paratransit service.

Microtransit is an on-demand transportation service to connect any origin to any destination within a set area. People request rides through a smartphone app or phone call, and response times range between 10 to 30 minutes. This service typically uses small passenger vans, minivans, or SUVs. The map below is an example of a microtransit zone, Link On Demand, operated in Lone Tree, CO and the Meridian business park

  • Advantages: Highly convenient and responsive to riders; fits many different types of trips; can adapt over time; is more cost-effective for serving lower density/dispersed areas.
  • Disadvantages: Operating costs are typically higher than fixed-route services; as ridership increases, more vehicles may be needed to serve the area; may not reduce traffic or emissions.

2/6/2025 Survey Update and FAQs

  • The project team received more than 150 responses in the survey’s first day – thank you!
  • Many community members asked similar questions about the study – around the demand for these services, the relationship of these transit options with RTD, and how projects will be funded. We can help answer some of these FAQs – click the tabs below to learn more.
  • We encourage you to continue to provide more comments and to share this survey with people you know.

The project team completed an existing conditions analysis that looked at existing travel patterns, demographic trends, and forecasted changes in land use. Takeaways are in this FACT SHEET.

The project team also held focus groups with organizations that represent older adults, youth, commuters/businesses, and vulnerable populations to understand travel priorities for these groups. Takeaways are in this FACT SHEET.

The existing conditions analysis, focus group feedback, and input from local agencies helped shape transit opportunities.

RTD has participated in the stakeholder engagement team meetings throughout the study. They operate transit within their service boundary, and the existing RTD services within Douglas County will continue to be operated by RTD. However, many Douglas County communities are not served by RTD or are underserved by existing transit. The transit services being considered through this study would likely require some level of local financial investment combined with regional, state, and federal funding opportunities. New transit services implemented as a result of this study would likely be operated by a contractor through partnerships between Douglas County, local municipalities, and other organizations. Where possible, Douglas County will partner with RTD for additional funding opportunities

Douglas County received DRCOG TIP funding to implement pilot projects in 2026 and 2027. This funding is typically a mix of federal, state, and local funding sources. The County and some of its incorporated municipalities are also committing funding in their local yearly budgets (made up of their local tax revenue sources). In the long-term, sustainable funding will need to be identified for all final recommended transit options including a combination of:

  • Local funding (e.g., cities, towns, county)
  • Regional funding (e.g., DRCOG TIP, RTD)
  • State funding (e.g., state legislative funding)
  • Federal funding (e.g., Federal Transit Administration (FTA))