New Trail Project Enhances Safety and Access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Jefferson County, in partnership with several regional governments, is advancing the Rocky Mountain Greenway (RMG) project to improve safety and connectivity to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (RFNWR). Funded largely through a 2016 Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant, the project includes the construction of a bridge over Indiana Street and an underpass on Colorado Highway 128 to connect RFNWR with nearby public open spaces in Boulder and Jefferson Counties. These improvements are intended to make access safer for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting regional trail connectivity.

Given the site’s history as a former U.S. nuclear weapons production facility, Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) relied on environmental safety assurances from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Independent soil sampling confirmed that the site is safe for public use. To further mitigate risk, the new trails will be surfaced with offsite materials, helping reduce dust, erosion, and soil disturbance while encouraging visitors to stay on designated paths that also protect local wildlife and habitats.

The project also includes interpretive signage at RFNWR entrances to inform visitors about the site’s complex past, helping them make informed decisions about visiting. A key safety feature is the bridge over Indiana Street—built by the Federal Highway Administration—which replaces a dangerous road crossing with limited visibility. With 83% of project costs covered by federal funding and a 17% local match from JCOS, the RMG continues to fulfill its original vision as part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to expand equitable access to public lands.