Planning Commission Recommends Commerce City Transportation Master Plan to City Council

Commerce City Public Works asked the Planning Commission on Tuesday to recommend the draft Transportation Master Plan to City Council for final adoption in February 2026.

Public Works Director Jenna Hahn told commissioners the plan is a long-range roadmap to guide investments and policies that aim to make streets safer, expand transit, improve walking and biking connections and identify locations where roadway expansion or reconstruction may be helpful. Hahn said the plan was developed through three phases of public engagement, noting more than 800 participants in the first phase and 13 comments in the third phase.

“It's a long-range roadmap that will guide our investments and our policies,” Hahn said, summarizing the plan’s goals to support continued growth and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors.

The commission asked staff about legal review; a city legal representative said the city attorney’s office had reviewed the draft and did not identify significant constitutional concerns.

Commissioner Van Heusen moved that the commission find the draft plan satisfactory for Commerce City and recommend it to the City Council. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Commissioner Schechter raised objections to language in the plan such as references to doing work “through an equity lens,” calling that phrasing “vague” and saying it could be interpreted differently by different people. Van Heusen and other commissioners responded that “equity” and “equal” are distinct concepts and that a clear definition could address the concern.

The commission approved the recommendation by recorded vote: three in favor, one opposed, zero abstentions.

What’s next: Staff said the plan will be finalized and taken to City Council, with final review and adoption expected in February 2026.