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CDOT explains access-permit rules, timelines and early‑assistance option for Pueblo developers
Summary
A Colorado Department of Transportation Region 2 manager briefed the advisory board on when state access permits are required, typical timelines and the region’s early‑assistance practice to help developers resolve access issues before formal submittal.
Adam Lancaster, CDOT Region 2 permits program manager, told the advisory board that access permits are required for any change that "modifies, eliminates or relocates" access to the state highway system and that the principal CDOT concern is safety and operations on state routes.
Lancaster said CDOT’s review focuses on vehicle conflicts and peak‑hour traffic impacts; to determine whether a state access permit is required CDOT considers changes in use, vehicle types and the scale of traffic rather than a fixed distance from the highway. "Any and all access to the state highway system have to be permitted. And, that is state law, obviously," Lancaster said.
He described the statutory timeline CDOT follows for permits once an application is deemed complete: CDOT has 45 days to issue an offer after application completeness is established (staff also track an initial 20‑day intake window), applicants then have 60 days to accept the offer; after acceptance the applicant has up to one year to build the access with the option to request extensions (Region 2 can grant extensions and offers can be extended in practice). CDOT reviews a notice‑to‑proceed packet in about 30 days once submitted, and construction is usually expected to be completed within 45 days after starting unless extended for seasonal or other reasons.
Lancaster said Region 2 provides early assistance and pre‑application review—more proactive engagement than some other CDOT regions—to reduce back‑and‑forth during formal permitting. He said access review can also surface related issues such as drainage or stormwater impacts that CDOT will route to appropriate reviewers.
Lancaster noted appeals are possible for denied permits or disputed permit terms and can proceed to administrative hearings and, in some cases, to the Transportation Commission or court.
Ending: Lancaster encouraged applicants to use early assistance, engage reviewers during sketch‑plan review when appropriate and to involve CDOT early on projects that may affect state routes to avoid delays later in the permitting process.
