Over the past several years, I-25 has increasingly assumed a central role in our region. From our traditional pattern of distinct and separate communities, we are evolving into an interconnected metropolitan region. Our economies are interdependent, and highways increasingly interconnect our communities.

Interstate 25, traditionally serving as Northern Colorado's link to Denver and Wyoming, is serving an ever-increasing role as a local community connector. Over the past 5-10 years, communities east and west of I-25 have extended their municipal boundaries and planned growth areas to the interstate. Their influence on activities along the interstate corridor, and the influences of highway-related activities on these communities over the next 10 to 20 years, will be profound and will change the character of the I-25 corridor indelibly.

2. Issues - What are some of the issues the plan addresses?

In our region, thousands of acres along I-25 have been annexed and zoned for commercial, industrial, and residential development. While this represents significant economic development opportunities for communities along the corridor, we must recognize and collectively address the following issues:

- Potential for an unattractive pattern of continuous, unbroken development along the corridor;
- Transportation issues resulting from inadequate access and circulation controls;
- Impacts on future transit opportunities;
- Uncoordinated expansion of municipal boundaries without adequate consideration for provision of public services; and
- Loss of our unique regional character and qualities.

The primary purpose of this project was to establish a vision and plan for the I-25 corridor. This included a set of performance standards and design guidelines that can be readily adapted and incorporated by each participating community. The primary product is a Regional Corridor Plan, which included the following elements:

Aesthetics - establishment of design guidelines and standards to provide for landscaping, building character, setbacks, building orientation, gateway treatment, signage, and other design criteria.

Transportation - establishment of standards for access control to local access roadways and other standards designed to ensure a functional, efficient multi-modal transportation network that supports the Interstate system.

Open Space / Natural Resources - consideration of protection and/or preservation strategies for natural resources, including river corridors and riparian areas, scenic areas, views, and other important resources.

The intent of the Plan is to establish a basic framework, common to all communities along the corridor, which can be tailored and individualized to meet the specific needs of participating communities. The plan is not intended to take the form of a traditional land use plan, nor supercede the land use plans of municipalities that area already in place. Rather, the plan is envisioned to provide a broad, regional approach to implementing a shared vision for the corridor.

4. Existing Plans - What about existing plans for the area?

Adopted local and regional plans that have specific recommendations for the I-25 corridor area were analyzed and integrated into the I-25 Regional Corridor Plan. Examples include the Northern Colorado Community Separators Study, the Northern Colorado Regional Planning Study, local plans and regulations, and the North Front Range Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study.

	Northern Colorado Community Separators Study	This study documents the results of a cooperative planning effort to maintain community separation in Northern Colorado. Currently this documents is being digitized to include all the photos and maps. Here is a text version.
	Northern Colorado Regional Planning Study
	City of Loveland Transportation Master Plan	The Transportation Plan addresses current trends and provides a summary of the considerable research, analysis, and public participation that have contributed to the preparation of this document over the last two years.
	CDOT's The North Forty	The North Forty transportation project on Interstate 25 encompasses 14 miles of the state’s high-priority transportation projects, as well as an additional 26 miles of highway that will undergo an environmental impact study.
	North Front Range Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study	Regional solutions to safety problems, traffic congestion, air quality issues and mobility problems between northern Colorado communities and the Denver metropolitan area. There are 2 major elements: a passenger rail system from Fort Collins and Greeley to Denver Union Terminal, focused on the I-25 corridor, and the addition of two High Occupancy Vehicle/Bus/General Purpose lanes on I-25 from SH 7 to SH 66.

5. Participants

Eight Northern Colorado jurisdictions have come together to address the future development of the I-25 corridor. Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Windsor, Johnstown, Timnath, and Larimer and Weld counties have all agreed to participate in the preparation of the plan, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation and North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The consulting team selected to assist the above jurisdictions includes Clarion Associates and LSA Associates.

City of Fort Collins
City of Loveland
Town of Windsor
Town of Timnath
Town of Johnstown
Town of Berthoud
Larimer County
Weld County
CDOT
North Front Range MPO
Clarion Associates
LSA Associates