County Initiative 1A and Transportation Plan
Liam
Liam
John Kefalas
 | John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1 |
Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 Cell: (720) 254-7598 |
Kristin Stephens
John Kefalas
Hello Liam –
Here is a detailed response synthesized from our road and bridge director and our county engineer - building on the preliminary response from Commissioner Stephens. First off, thank you for your thoughtful questions–for taking the time to review both the Transportation Plan and the November ballot measure (Initiative 1A). Your comments reflect a deep understanding of the issues, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify how these efforts fit together. You’ve raised important points about funding, priorities, safety design, and the role of gravel roads in our system, and we (the Board of County Commissioners) appreciate the opportunity to clarify how these pieces fit together.
1. Relationship between the Transportation Plan, Initiative 1A, and Implementation
The Transportation Plan, Larimer on the Move (adopted and approved Sept. 2025), identifies a wide range of potential projects that may be needed over the next 25 years. It is a guiding framework, not an implementation plan, and it helps the County and its partners make informed decisions as conditions and funding evolve. The project tables in the Plan represent potential priorities, not a ranked list; project timing will depend on funding, partnerships, and evolving community needs.
Actual implementation occurs through the County’s annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which selects and funds specific projects each year based on safety priorities, maintenance needs, and available resources.
Initiative 1A, the proposed 0.15% countywide transportation sales and use tax, would significantly expand what can be implemented through that process. The Plan estimates about $825 million in transportation needs, with current resources covering only about 20%. The proposed tax would allow the County to address roughly two-thirds of those needs—closing a major funding gap.
Additionally, if 1A passes, the County Board of County Commissioners will review proposed and completed projects each year, as well as maintain a public webpage detailing allocation of funds, giving the community further opportunities to provide input.
2. How Projects Are Selected and Funded
Larimer County works to leverage grants, developer impact fees, and partnerships with local municipalities to stretch funds. For example, we’ve been working with the City of Fort Collins for several years to secure funding for improvements to Taft Hill Road between Horsetooth and Harmony, which will add bicycle and pedestrian facilities consistent with an urban arterial design.
Project selection also reflects coordination within Growth Management Areas (GMAs), where urban development and annexation are anticipated. Municipalities typically develop their own transportation and active-mode plans for these areas.
3. Road Widening and Safety Design Considerations
You are correct that the Plan includes several “widening” projects, but in nearly all cases, this term refers to shoulder improvements, not the addition of vehicle travel lanes. The improvements are meant to increase safety and provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, only a few major arterials between municipalities (like County Roads 17 and 19 between Fort Collins and Loveland) may need additional lanes based on projected volumes.
While narrower lanes can enhance safety in low-speed urban settings (those less than 35 mph), they are not suitable for higher-speed rural roads. Research from Johns Hopkins and other institutions supports these distinctions, and the County’s designs follow established safety standards for each road type.
4. Gravel Roads and Paving Priorities
We share your appreciation for Larimer County’s gravel road network and the unique environments. About 52% of County roads (413 miles) are unpaved. The Transportation Plan identifies:
- Approximately 16 miles of priority paving projects, and
- About 71 miles of long-term paving projects (together only about 21% of the unpaved network) leaving roughly 326 miles unpaved.
Roads proposed for paving are those with existing or projected traffic volumes over 400 vehicles per day, where gravel surfaces become difficult and costly to maintain and that require chemical dust suppressants to meet state air quality standards. Hundreds of miles of U.S. Forest Service and BLM roads also remain available for recreation and gravel cycling.
5. Traffic Calming and Design Practices
Traditional urban traffic-calming tools (such as speed humps) are not effective or safe on higher-speed rural roads. Instead, the County applies context-sensitive design measures to balance safety and functionality across rural and urban environments such as roundabouts at key intersections, enhanced signage and pavement markings, and design adjustments that naturally lower travel speeds and lend to safer conditions.
6. A Living, Flexible Plan
It is important to note, the County will update the Transportation Plan—a living document—as new data, technologies, and community priorities evolve. The Plan provides a framework to balance safety, mobility, and fiscal responsibility while supporting both rural and urban needs.
Your community feedback plays a key role in shaping priorities, and annual CIP updates are one of the main ways to continue to hear from the community so priorities become tangible projects on the ground.
Thank you again for your questions and input, and don’t hesitate to reach out again.
| John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1 |
Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 Cell: (720) 254-7598 |