Jefferson County is improving safe access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge with new trails, a bridge, and signage, as part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway project, ensuring environmental safety and educating visitors about the site’s history.
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.
FULL STORY: Greenway to Improve Safety for Visitors to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Study: How Urban Parks Can Support Biodiversity
Conservation and recreation can go hand in hand in urban green spaces designed to serve both humans and local wildlife.
BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.
Harnessing the Power of Fungi for Environmental Cleanup
Mycoremediation — the use of fungi to break down or absorb environmental pollutants — offers a promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods for restoring contaminated sites.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
The European Cities That Love E-Scooters — And Those That Don’t
Where they're working, where they're banned, and where they're just as annoying the tourists that use them.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)