This project plans to elevate Colorado Ave into a safer, more accessible, and even more vibrant destination that reflects Old Colorado City’s (OCC) historic character while meeting current and future community needs. The project is guided by extensive public engagement through the Midland Corridor Transportation Study and ConnectCOS.
About
This project is based on the recommendations of the Midland Corridor Transportation Study.
Project Goals
The goals of this project are to elevate OCC by providing modernization and safety improvements as informed by recommendations from the Midland Corridor Transportation Study. The project will enhance safety along the entire corridor by adding pedestrian refuges and arterial street traffic calming. In addition, the OCC portion of Colorado Ave will be reconstructed with widened sidewalks and other streetscape amenities to improve the pedestrian environment within the OCC Historic District.
Safety
- Address documented speed and safety concerns with traffic‑calming features.
- Improve intersection visibility.
- Increase safe pedestrian crossings along the corridor.
Mobility & Accessibility
- Support walking, biking, transit, and driving.
- Improve sidewalk and public‑space accessibility.
- Add crossings at key intersections.
Community & Business Vitality using the Community’s Input
- Preserve and expand on‑street parking where feasible.
- Create comfortable, all‑season public spaces.
- Expand outdoor dining and retail opportunities.
- Enhance wayfinding and signage, including identification of Old Colorado City.
- Beautify the business district while preserving historic character.
Funding
This voter-approved project is primarily funded by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority and guided by extensive public engagement through the Midland Corridor Transportation Study and ConnectCOS.
Project Phases
The project will be implemented in two distinct phases:
- Phase 1 will be a Test Demonstration Project implemented in early Summer 2026 and may last up to 12 months
- Phase 2 will be Reconstruction and Streetscape Improvements with construction starting 2027/2028
Phase 1: Test Demonstration Project
Begins Summer 2026 and will last up to 12 months
Colorado Ave is a unique corridor: it is a main street, a historic district, a business destination, and a transportation route all at once. Because of that, the City is using a demonstration phase to test how proposed changes function in the real world before finalizing long-term design details. This approach allows the City to collect local data, hear community feedback, and make adjustments based on how the corridor actually works for residents, businesses, visitors, and people traveling through the area. Key elements include:
- Convert from 4 lanes to 3 lanes (one driving lane each direction + center turn lane)
- Limit Street to 30th streets (Implementation- Summer 2026)
- Transitions between 29th and 30th streets
- Transition westbound at Limit Street
- Delineators
- Pedestrian crossings
- Redesignate parking
- Bump-outs in OCC
- Minimal parking changes during the Demonstration Phase.
- Phase 1 will inform final design decisions for long‑term restriping and reconstruction.
- Data collection on traffic flow, speeds, and safety performance.
Phase 2: Reconstruction and Permanent Streetscape Improvements
2027-2028
Phase 2 focuses on long‑term and permanent improvements. It will involve additional community engagement to help shape the final design.
Key amenities may include:
- Full streetscape reconstruction in the core commercial blocks of Old Colorado City.
- Permanent safety and mobility improvements.
- Streetscape upgrades to support businesses and enhance public spaces.
- Design elements that reinforce the district’s historic identity.
Public Engagement
Residents and businesses will have multiple opportunities to provide input on the project through the following avenues:
- Engage with the project team at Territory Days and other OCC summer events.
- Ongoing feedback opportunities during and after the demonstration phase.
- Even more opportunities are in development, stay tuned.