To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
Daniel Sailer, Director of Public Works
From: Thomas Reiff, Transportation Planner
Title
Discussion/Direction: Douglas County Integrated Transit and Multimodal Study
Body
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Discussion
Douglas County will present an overview of their Integrated Transit and Multimodal Study that is currently underway. This item is for discussion and feedback purposes. Douglas County began the current transit study in 2024 to explore possible transit service in the central and northern parts of Douglas County. These areas include Highlands Ranch, City of Lone Tree, Town of Parker, City of Castle Pines and the Town of Castle Rock, as well as unincorporated parts of Douglas County. The study is evaluating transit connections between communities and services within each community.
The potential services for Castle Rock are consistent with the Town’s adopted Downtown Mobility Master Plan (2019) and the Transit Feasibility Study (2020). In the feasibility study, transit service between Castle Rock and the Ridgegate Station was identified. In addition, a phased microtransit service within Town limits was also identified. Microtransit is a form of on-demand responsive service that combines public transit and ride-hailing. It’s a flexible service that goes to the rider rather than using a fixed route. In Castle Rock, the proposal would be phased in starting with the Downtown and the I-25 corridor and eventually expanding Town wide. A Downtown circulator was identified in the Downtown Mobility Master Plan. It explored service traveling north/south on Wilcox and Perry streets connecting to public parking lots and the potential Bustang park-n-ride on the northern edge of Downtown. This service could be expanded to include the Brickyard and Miller’s Landing developments on the west side of I-25. Currently, the Downtown Development Authority is operating trolley service in the Downtown. It connects the public parking lot at the Douglas County School District building and the Encore parking garage. However, the service hours are very limited, typically 5pm to 7pm, two days a week, and only for a couple of months in the summer and fall.
The intent of this study is to examine potential transit services for the central and northern Douglas County communities, including Castle Rock. Additionally, the study will recommend a pilot service that can be implemented utilizing grant money that Douglas County received from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG).
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
In 2019, Town Council adopted the Downtown Mobility Master Plan, and in October
2020 they adopted the Castle Rock Transit Feasibility Study. Transit service proposed in the County’s study would be new service to serve either commuters or residents and employees in Castle Rock. It would be consistent with the transit service identified in the previous Town studies.
Schedule
Douglas County is currently conducting the public outreach element of the study. The study is expected to be completed in 2025.
Budget Impact
It’s unknown whether Douglas County will ask us to participate in future funding
partnerships to operate and maintain a potential future service. Douglas County has received a federal grant through DRCOG to fund a transit pilot service for several years, but the service has not been identified. The completed study is expected to recommend
the pilot transit service.
Attachments
Attachment A: Douglas County Integrated Transit & Multimodal Study Area Map
Attachment B: Potential Castle Rock Subregional Transit Routes
Attachment C: Potential Castle Rock Local Transit Service