March 11, 2022
Before I was elected, the town had a list of 21 near-term and long-term road projects. Colorado Boulevard was not on this list. I felt that Colorado Boulevard was not getting the attention it needed and deserved. I was determined to get elected make improvements and I did it.
Colorado Boulevard is becoming one of the busiest roads in Windsor. When I ran for Town Board in 2018, Raindance was nonexistent. Once complete, Raindance will have over double the number of homes as River West, Ridge West, Bison Ridge, HighPointe Estates, and Steeplechase COMBINED. It has tripled the number of residents living on the Colorado Boulevard corridor. Raindance has obviously had a huge impact on Colorado Boulevard traffic which is already a daily route for 5 neighborhoods, a gravel pit / concrete plant, oil & gas operations, and the Poudre River trailhead.
In my first term, I was able to:
- Add a roundabout along Colorado Boulevard at New Liberty / Steeplechase,
- Add north and southbound turning lanes and signals at Colorado Boulevard and Main Street (Highway-392),
- Add a crosswalk across Main Street (Highway-392) at Colorado Boulevard,
- Add a paved trail / bike path connecting neighborhoods along Colorado Boulevard to Kyger Reservoir and Downtown Windsor, and
- Add a pedestrian bridge over the Poudre River along Colorado Boulevard.
There are also several upcoming improvements approved during my first term:
- A large, two-lane roundabout at Colorado Boulevard and Crossroads Boulevard which should reduce traffic on Steeplechase Drive,
- Traffic Signal at River West Drive and Colorado Boulevard, and
- Widening Main Street (Highway-392) from Colorado Boulevard to 17th Street, eliminating ‘the merge’.
We also need to monitor these intersections as improvements may be necessary in the near future to improve safety and traffic flow:
- Covered Bridge Parkway and New Liberty Road and
- Colorado Boulevard and Pear Blossom Drive / Covered Bridge Parkway.
If re-elected, I would continue to advocate for Colorado Boulevard improvements and eventual expansion to 4 lanes. The main challenge is the narrow, 2-lane bridge which would require replacement. If the road needs to be widened in 5-10 years, it will need to be prioritized on Windsor’s Master Plan now. I am not proposing huge spending increases. I would make sure Colorado Boulevard is prioritized appropriately compared to other town projects.
Without action, Colorado Boulevard could become a juggernaut. I am committed to keep the Colorado Boulevard improvements and expansion on the Master Plan with an appropriate priority and timeline to keep up with the projected growth. We know the traffic is coming. We can proactively prepare for it.
District 2 needs leadership that will advocate for our needs.