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Adams County staff outline bus-stop accessibility plan, microtransit pilot and neighborhood traffic-calming wins
Summary
Staff presented an inventory of 163 unincorporated-county bus stops, proposed a phased $300,000 program to prioritize ADA compliance and higher-tier amenities, advanced a Pecos microtransit RTD partnership grant, and detailed the neighborhood traffic calming program (16 applications in 2024; ~10 approved; two projects built in 2025).
Adams County transportation staff on May 20 briefed the Board of Commissioners on a multi-pronged effort to improve transit access and neighborhood safety across unincorporated areas. The discussion covered bus-stop accessibility standards set by RTD, a proposed county program to upgrade stops, an RTD microtransit partnership application, and the neighborhood traffic calming program's initial results.
Bus stops: Staff said they inventoried 163 bus stops in unincorporated Adams County and proposed a tiered approach to improvements. Options range from bare-bones ADA compliance (minimum concrete pads and accessibility features) to middle-grade upgrades (benches and trash receptacles) to full shelters and electrical plugs. Josh (staff) said the county would align its standards with RTD's new typology so local investments do not create nonconforming stops that RTD might decline to serve. He told the board the initial scoped amount for design and an early implementation bite was about $300,000, to be refined after RTD's study results.
Microtransit: Staff described microtransit pilots as small, demand-responsive shuttle zones designed to connect neighborhoods to major corridors. The county applied for an RTD partnership grant for a Pecos corridor microtransit pilot; staff said the application advanced to the next step last week. Commissioners noted Brighton and other municipalities operate similar services and praised the potential benefits for older residents and access to health care and prescriptions.
Neighborhood traffic calming: Denise, who runs the neighborhood traffic calming program, described the program's tiered process. After launching in 2024, the county received about 16 applications and approved roughly 10 for initial screening; approvals are based on road classification, speeds and crash history. "Tier 1" focuses on engagement and low-cost measures such as temporary radar feedback signs and awareness campaigns. If those measures prove insufficient, the program advances to "Tier 2," where temporary traffic-calming features may lead to construction (speed cushions/tables) after neighborhood petitioning and engineering review. Denise told the board two projects completed construction in 2025 (Strasburg and Commerce City), and two more are planned for this year.
Budget and prioritization: Commissioners pressed staff on whether to spread funds across many modest upgrades or concentrate on high-ridership stops. Staff said they would return with scenarios showing how far a set allocation could stretch and recommended focusing first on ADA compliance across many stops and higher-level investments in corridors with greatest ridership potential.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate with RTD to receive the typology results, return with cost estimates and proposed prioritization (including a potential budget request during budget season), and continue pursuing microtransit partnership funding and neighborhood traffic-calming project prioritization.
Sources: Presentation and discussion during the Adams County Board of Commissioners study session, May 20, 2026. Josh (Staff member) and Denise (Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Manager) provided program details and metrics.
