I-270 Corridor Improvements Study

About the Project

Interstate 270 (I-270) runs from Adams County towards Boulder County in Commerce City and North Denver. Every day, more than 110,000 vehicles travel the highway. Nearly 10 percent of its daily traffic is freight trucks. The congested interstate carries far more traffic than it was designed for. The pavement and bridges are stressed by the traffic loads, and emergency repairs are needed regularly. The corridor also lacks safe and efficient walking, cycling, and public transportation options for residents and businesses near the highway.

Culturally diverse neighborhoods surround the I-270 corridor and rely on and are affected by the interstate. The state identifies these communities as “disproportionately impacted” meaning, among other things, these areas have large communities of color, are lower income, have higher housing cost burdens, and are at risk of experiencing higher levels of health or environmental impacts.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) began a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in 2020, initially anticipating an Environmental Assessment. Moving into 2023, CDOT determined a more detailed environmental review was needed and requested an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be initiated. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for this project is anticipated.

Schedule & Important Dates

Environmental Study Completion: Winter 2025

  • Public Open House: Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, Commerce City Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 5:00pm-8:00pm

  • Virtual Public Open House: Thursday, April 18th, 2024 5:30pm-6:30pm

  • Public Open House: Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, Commerce City, Saturday, April 20th, 2024 9:00am-noon


I-270 Corridor Improvements Study Area

I-270 Neighborhoods Base Map

A map of the project area with the project limits highlighted in
yellow along I-270 from I-25 to I-70.

The purpose of the I‐270 Corridor Improvements project is to:

  • Implement transportation solutions that modernize the I-270 corridor to accommodate existing and forecasted transportation demands.

The identified transportation needs are as follows:

  • Traveler safety
  • Travel time and reliability
  • Transit on the corridor
  • Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity across I-270
  • Freight operations

In addition to addressing project needs, CDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and participating agencies have established a key project goal: to minimize environmental and community impacts resulting from the project. The project planning and decision-making process will consistently remain mindful of this environmental goal.