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TAPS advances CDOT intergovernmental agreement for Box Elder Creek flood repairs to council
Summary
Aurora's Transportation, Airports and Public Works Policy Committee voted to forward a resolution and intergovernmental agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation to the next regular city council meeting to rebuild flood-damaged roads along Box Elder Creek.
The Transportation, Airports and Public Works Policy Committee of Aurora City voted during its Jan. 23, 2025, meeting to advance a resolution and intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation to the next regular city council meeting so the city can move forward with repairs to Box Elder Creek roadway damage.
Kathy Valencia, transportation manager in public works, told the committee the project will reconstruct roads washed out by storms in June 2023 and upgrade the corridor to reduce future flood risk through bank and channel stabilization, planting to increase water retention, and additional roadway protection. "This is an IGA between CDOT and the city of Aurora for the Box Elder Creek Roadway Erosion and Flood Control Project," Valencia said.
The project budget presented to the committee lists a $10.8 million federal PROTECT grant administered through CDOT, a $3.5 million city local match, $3.6 million in city maintenance funds and $850,000 in congressionally directed spending that can count toward the local match, for a total project cost of $17.9 million. Valencia said design is expected to continue through spring 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2026 and run through spring 2027.
Valencia told the committee the city included an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration in the materials; that agreement does not need to be executed now but is provided as part of the request. She also said staff is seeking expedited execution under FHWA advice and asked the committee to waive study-session consideration so the item can move directly to the regular council meeting.
Council member Angela Lawson said she had "no questions, and I approve it moving forward, to the, Monday council meeting." Chair Sam Hancock likewise said, "I also approve it moving forward." The committee therefore approved forwarding the resolution and IGA to the next available regular council meeting and agreed to seek the requested waiver from reconsideration.
The committee did not adopt final design or construction contracts at the meeting; staff described the action as advancing the IGA and resolution to council for consideration and approval. Staff noted the schedule and funding sources are contingent on executing the IGA and securing required federal approvals.
Next steps: staff will pursue execution of the IGA under FHWA guidance, present the resolution and IGA to the council on the next regular meeting agenda, and continue design work through spring 2026.
