Introduction: Colorado’s extensive transportation network connects domestic and international destinations through airports, highways, buses, and trains. Denver International Airport (DEN) leads in sustainability with initiatives like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable energy, and waste diversion. To address increasing traffic congestion on Colorado’s highways, especially along the front range, promoting alternative transportation options is essential. Encouraging car-free itineraries with shuttle services provided by CDOT can alleviate congestion. Additionally, expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways will enhance connectivity to historic sites and outdoor recreation, reinforcing the state’s appeal as a premier sustainable travel destination.

Goal: Enhance public transportation options and encourage the use of public transport and travel to divert traffic from congested areas and promote environmentally friendly travel experiences.

Objective: By 2035, the number of travelers that use public bus or rail transportation will reach 25%.

Strategies

Transportation 1: Increase Availability of Eco-Friendly Transit Methods

Advancing eco-friendly transit methods across Colorado helps reduce tourism’s environmental footprint and promotes sustainable travel. This strategy involves increasing the availability of sustainable options such as electric buses, electric car rentals, car-sharing programs, public transportation, and bike rentals. This effort contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and encourages health and wellness through more active and sustainable travel options.

Transportation 2: Develop Comprehensive Transportation Connections

Comprehensive transportation connections address the ‘last mile’ challenge, linking major hubs with travelers’ final destinations. Despite often being the shortest leg of a journey, this segment can be problematic in terms of accessibility, convenience, and efficiency. This strategy aims to create direct links between major transit hubs and key tourist locations, ensuring accommodations are easily accessible without the need for personal vehicle rental.

Transportation 3: Raise Awareness and Ridership of Bustang, Snowstang, and Pegasus Services

Elevating visitor awareness of CDOT’s Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus Services can reduce traffic and congestion caused by overreliance on private vehicle travel, especially during peak travel times. CDOT’s Interregional Express bus service connects travelers along the I-25 Front Range and I-70 Mountain Corridors. By working with the tourism industry to raise awareness and demand for Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus services, this strategy supports reliable transit alternatives on key routes. Targeted awareness campaigns with accommodation providers and booking sites aim to inform tourists about the benefits and availability of public transit.

Transportation 4: Encourage Rail Travel for Visitors

By integrating rail options into travel planning platforms and collaborating with Amtrak and Rocky Mountaineer to offer and market tourist-friendly packages, this strategy aims to make rail travel an attractive choice for those seeking unique and low-impact ways to experience the state. The tourism industry can support efforts aimed at expanding rail travel within Colorado, thus broadening transportation choices for both visitors and local communities. The desired outcome includes a rise in rail travel usage by visitors, leading to decreased road congestion and a positive impact on the environment by lowering the overall carbon footprint.

Transportation 5: Upgrade Pedestrian and Bike Pathways

Expanding pedestrian and bike infrastructure is essential for promoting sustainable transportation and ensuring safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. By enhancing pathways, supporting bike-sharing programs, and showcasing bike-friendly destinations, walking and biking will be more appealing and safer for both visitors and residents. Additionally, promoting Colorado’s bike culture encourages visitors to consider cycling as part of their vacation.

Transportation 6: Promote Carpooling for Tourism

Promoting carpooling (defined as two or more people sharing a ride) is essential for reducing traffic congestion and vehicle numbers. This strategy focuses on increasing education among residents and visitors about the environmental and practical benefits of carpooling. Some destinations have carpool-only rows in parking lots to encourage ride-sharing. Emphasis is placed on carpooling during peak tourism seasons and in high-traffic areas to manage traffic and enhance the visitor experience.

Transportation 7: Implement and Incentivize Congestion Reduction Measures

This strategy focuses on reducing traffic congestion and enhancing the visitor experience during peak travel times by implementing effective transportation demand management solutions. Targeted awareness campaigns can encourage the use of CDOT’s digital transit tools. By incentivizing carpooling and public transit usage, these options become more attractive and accessible for visitors, contributing to a smoother and more sustainable travel experience throughout the state.

Transportation 8: Create Parking Solutions

Addressing parking challenges with innovative solutions can help mitigate land use impacts and alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in more tourism-dependent communities. Managed parking strategies, including demand-based pricing and incentives for carpooling, alongside the construction of environmentally friendly parking structures, can improve the efficiency of parking for visitors and contribute to the environmental sustainability of tourist destinations.

Transportation 9: Prioritize Inclusive Transportation Accessibility

Upgrading transportation services to be fully accessible to all individuals enhances the inclusivity of Colorado’s travel experiences. By incorporating features such as wheelchair ramps, audio guides, multilingual, and braille signage, Colorado aims to help more visitors enjoy access to the state’s attractions. This strategy emphasizes the need for a transportation network that respects diversity and fosters inclusivity.

Transportation 10: Expand Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Expanding EV infrastructure is essential to meet the rising demand among both residents and visitors. Increasing the number of EV charging stations along key byways and within communities statewide will make electric car travel more accessible and convenient. This expansion, in support of the Colorado Electric Byways program, will accommodate more EV drivers and encourage both visitors and residents to consider electric vehicles as a viable transportation option.