Larimer County to Rebuild 2-Mile Section of Country Club Road with Federal Grant Support
Larimer County will reconstruct approximately two miles of Country Club Road between Highway 1 and Turnberry Road to address deteriorating pavement and rising traffic that has turned the rural corridor into a commuter shortcut, officials announced October 7.
The reconstruction project will transform the roadway with 11-foot travel lanes, four-foot paved shoulders, and a detached 10-foot multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists. A new roundabout at the Country Club Road and Lemay Avenue intersection will replace the existing crossing to improve traffic flow and reduce severe crashes.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Larimer County a RAISE grant to fund the design phase, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028. The county has not yet identified funding sources for construction costs.
Traffic Growth Drives Safety Concerns
County Road 50E experiences significant traffic increases as one of the limited east-west connections in southern Larimer County. Traffic forecasts project 50 to 60 percent growth by 2045 as commuters use the route to bypass more congested corridors.
The increased vehicle volume has created safety concerns for local residents, bicyclists, and pedestrians along the two-lane rural road that lacks sidewalks or dedicated bike facilities. Crash data shows a high percentage of severe collisions involve broadside and rear-end impacts at intersections.
The proposed improvements are expected to have "moderate to high potential" for crash reduction based on engineering analysis, according to county officials.
Roundabout Addresses Intersection Safety
The planned roundabout at Country Club Road and Lemay Avenue reflects engineering solutions that Larimer County has implemented at six intersections over the past 15 years. County traffic safety data shows roundabouts produce a "moderate drop in the number of overall crashes even though the average daily traffic at these locations has increased," with the "biggest safety benefit" being "the large reduction in serious crashes after roundabout construction."
Roundabouts eliminate high-speed right-angle conflicts by forcing vehicles to slow and travel in the same direction, reducing the severity of crashes that do occur. The design particularly reduces broadside collisions, which frequently result in fatalities and serious injuries at traditional intersections.
The project will also add raised crosswalks at several locations to enhance pedestrian safety and provide sidewalk access from Country Club Road to Tavelli Elementary School.
Multiuse Path Separates Vulnerable Users from Traffic
The detached 10-foot multiuse path will run alongside the roadway corridor, separated from vehicle traffic to provide safer access for bicyclists and pedestrians. The separation addresses concerns about vulnerable road users sharing space with commuter traffic on narrow shoulders.
New paved shoulders will provide space for disabled vehicles and emergency access while improving safety margins for all users. Improved drainage ditches and culverts between the roadway and multiuse path will address stormwater management.
Federal Grant Funds Design Phase
The county received a RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund design work beginning in fall 2025. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program provides competitive grants up to $25 million for transportation projects that advance safety, environmental sustainability, equity, and economic competitiveness.
RAISE grants are highly competitive, with only a small fraction of nationwide applicants receiving funding in each cycle. The program awarded nearly $2.2 billion nationally in 2022, with three Colorado projects receiving a combined $45.9 million that year.
Topographic survey and right-of-way research will begin in fall 2025, with a design consultant to be selected during the same period. Design is anticipated for completion in 2027.
Right-of-Way Acquisition Planned for 2027
The county will acquire necessary right-of-way from property owners along the corridor in 2027 following completion of design work. The acquisition process follows Colorado Revised Statutes governing eminent domain and property rights.
County officials will first conduct appraisals to determine fair market value, then negotiate purchases with affected property owners. Property owners who cannot reach agreement with the county have legal rights to challenge compensation amounts or the necessity of acquisition in court.
All property owners displaced by right-of-way acquisition receive relocation assistance under federal and state law, including counseling and financial aid to relocate. The county may acquire full ownership or lesser interests such as easements depending on project needs at specific locations.
The right-of-way phase typically takes 12 to 24 months for major projects, though complex cases with extensive negotiations can require additional time.
Phased Construction Dependent on Future Funding
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 for the first phase, though the county has not identified funding sources for construction costs. Due to anticipated expenses, the project may be constructed in phases over multiple years.
The overall project schedule depends on future funding availability, with specific construction timelines subject to revision as the county secures additional grant funding or budget allocations for capital improvements.
The project represents a long-term effort to address transportation challenges along County Road 50E. A comprehensive corridor study completed in early 2023 provided recommendations that form the basis for the current design approach. The study incorporated input from Larimer County and Fort Collins staff, area property owners, and stakeholders during public meetings held between March and July 2022.
Project Manager Clint Jones can be reached at 970-498-5727 for additional information about the reconstruction project.