Boulder Junction transportation update: Depot Square RTD service, EcoPass growth and bike events

Representatives for Boulder Transportation Connections gave the commission a multi-part update on July 23 covering transit service changes, multiuse-path access, EcoPass enrollments, and local outreach.

The staff update said the western entrance to the Goose Creek multiuse path had reopened following construction. The update also described new housing inventory in the district coming online: approximately 80 units at Boulder Commons and a larger nearby development showing leasing signage (presenter estimated roughly 100 units for that southern segment). The presenter said these new residents increase the importance of TDM (transportation demand management) services in the district.

The Boulder Chamber/transportation speaker reported Bike to Work Day on June 25 was a strong success for Boulder, with chamber stations seeing record participation (the chamber reported about 900 people at its station) and expanded local engagement in the BJAD area. The speaker described a city pilot called Boulder Clean Commute — a TDM incentive with approximately $5/day employer contributions for tracked trips — and said district businesses including Casiopeia, Logan's and Zeal are participating.

On EcoPass distribution, the presenter said the program has issued 53 neighborhood EcoPasses and 27 business EcoPasses since the May meeting, and that temporary passes had also been issued to more than 45 interns at a long‑standing district employer. That puts total recent EcoPass activations in excess of 100 in under six weeks, the presenter said.

RTD service and Depot Square station: staff said RTD has posted potential service changes that staff expect to take effect around Aug. 31; the presenter warned the schedule remains RTD’s responsibility and the date could change. The presenter described a proposed FF4 routing (Union Station–Denver Civic Center–airport routing variants were discussed) and linked RTD station and garage details in the meeting chat. Staff noted that while RTD’s Depot Square station is slated to resume service, the station’s payment kiosk had been inside the closed RTD station and that kiosk closure had limited commuters’ ability to pay for parking while the station was out of service.

Commissioners asked about a longer‑term “hot bus”/Via Mobility routing across 30th Street. Staff said Via Mobility (an RTD contractor) operates the hot bus and that routing changes are not expected to be part of the initial RTD service changes; staff described that move as a longer-term objective and noted potential benefits for ridership and winter comfort.

Staff also reported distribution of direct-mail postcards promoting Boulder B-cycle and said initial feedback shows people noticing the outreach and some conversion to bike share usage.

Why it matters: the TDM items affect how residents, employees and visitors reach and circulate within the district; RTD station reopening and service changes could alter commuter behavior and garage utilization, and EcoPass uptake provides data the city can use to advocate for service improvements.

Sources and quotes from the meeting:

"As of a few hours ago the western entrance to Goose Creek Multiuse Path is open," the Boulder Transportation Connections presenter said.

"It's been a huge success...we had over 900 people stop by their station," the presenter said of Bike to Work Day and chamber participation.

Ending: staff said they will continue to track EcoPass activations, coordinate with RTD on Depot Square service, and the commission was told parks-and-recreation will provide a pocket-park update at the September meeting.