New MAX BRT Route, Expanded Service Along College Avenue Planned for 2027
Fort Collins will launch a redesigned transit network in 2027 featuring a new Bus Rapid Transit route connecting Colorado State University's main and Foothills campuses, along with increased frequency on high-ridership corridors including North College Avenue and West Elizabeth Street, transit officials announced during an October 28 City Council work session.
The transit optimization plan creates what staff described as a "lean grid-based system" that prioritizes frequent service on productive routes while maintaining connections to key destinations including CSU, Front Range Community College, medical facilities and affordable housing communities.
Route 3 will provide direct service from CSU's Foothills Campus to the main campus transit center every 10 to 20 minutes during peak periods, consistent with the operational design established in the West Elizabeth BRT plan, according to Kaylee Zeisel, Fort Collins transit director.
"This is the same story we've been talking about with West Elizabeth BRT—a one-seat connection from Foothills to CSU transit center," said Steve Zaparo, Transfort senior operations manager.
The West Elizabeth BRT project was first proposed in 2014 during the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan process. Fort Collins pursued federal Small Starts funding for the corridor through 2021 but failed to secure sufficient grants to build the full infrastructure originally envisioned, which included dedicated bus lanes, enhanced stations and comprehensive streetscape improvements with total costs estimated between $80 million and $100 million.
The city adopted a phased "service-first" strategy in recent years, launching increased frequency and BRT branding in 2027 while deferring major capital infrastructure until additional federal or local funding becomes available.
Network Focuses on Frequency Over Coverage
The recommended transit scenario organizes routes into three tiers based on ridership demand and corridor importance. Frequent routes will operate every 10 to 20 minutes throughout the day, including MAX, North College, West Elizabeth and the on-campus Horn route connecting CSU facilities.
Core routes will maintain 30-minute service during peak hours on corridors including Prospect, Shields and Drake, ensuring connections to MAX and major destinations such as the Fort Collins Senior Center, social services agencies, Front Range Community College and Poudre Valley Hospital.
Local routes will serve corridors with moderate ridership potential including Harmony and Timberline, with service levels adjusted based on demonstrated demand.
The MAX Bus Rapid Transit line on the Mason Corridor will continue operating at current frequencies, with all east-west routes designed to connect with MAX stations to facilitate north-south travel.
Fort Collins projects ridership will grow from 2.62 million in 2024 to 3.35 million by the time the new network reaches full maturity approximately 18 to 24 months after the 2027 implementation, according to consultant projections presented to council.
Financial Pressures Drive Restructuring
Transfort faces significant budget constraints that necessitated the service redesign. Loveland's withdrawal from the regional Flex partnership eliminated approximately $750,000 in annual revenue, while reduced FASTER state funding cut another $200,000—nearly $1 million in combined losses.
Transit operating costs have increased 50 percent between 2019 and 2026, consistent with national trends driven by personnel expenses, vehicle maintenance and contracted services, according to city financial documents.
Fort Collins anticipates receiving $2 million to $3 million annually starting in 2026 from Senate Bill 24-230, which establishes funding from oil and gas production fees to support public transit statewide. That new revenue stream is incorporated into financial projections for the optimization plan.
The city's current cost per passenger of approximately $10.75 significantly exceeds peer transit systems in Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Boulder, which range from $6.10 to $8.85 per passenger, according to regional transit data.
Route Changes Affect Campus Access
The optimization plan modifies several routes heavily used by students. Colorado State University's Alternative Transportation Fee Board and Front Range Community College have raised concerns about proposed changes affecting campus connections.
Route 7, which currently connects directly to CSU's transit center, will instead terminate at Drake Avenue to provide transfers to MAX rather than continuing to campus. Route 2 will similarly end its direct CSU transit center connection, extending east of College Avenue to create an east-west corridor instead.
Route 19 serving Front Range Community College will maintain 30-minute frequency during peak hours—an improvement from the temporary 60-minute frequency implemented in September due to operator shortages, but not the 15-minute service the college requested.
Zeisel told council that despite geographic changes, the plan actually increases total service hours on routes heavily used by CSU riders compared to the current system. CSU students, faculty and staff account for more than 60 percent of annual boardings systemwide.
"We greatly value the partnership that we have with CSU and we do plan to engage further with CSU ATFAB and ASCSU to discuss the proposed system as well as their concerns and questions," Zeisel said.
Fort Collins and CSU must renegotiate their intergovernmental agreement in 2026 as the current five-year contract expires. That agreement governs how CSU's student-funded Alternative Transportation Fee supports Transfort operations. The university contributed $193,000 through the fee board in fiscal year 2025.
Paratransit Service Area Shrinks
The Dial-A-Ride paratransit service area will decrease as the fixed-route network becomes more focused. Federal ADA regulations require paratransit service within three-quarters of a mile from any fixed route, meaning Fort Collins must adjust the paratransit zone as bus routes change.
Approximately 39 existing Dial-A-Ride clients in portions of Laporte and southeast Fort Collins will lose regular eligibility under the new boundaries. Those residents will be "legacied in," meaning they will continue receiving service until they move or stop using the system, according to transit staff.
The city is restructuring its Dial-A-Taxi voucher program to help bridge gaps. Under the updated program, any Dial-A-Ride-eligible resident within the Growth Management Area can use taxi vouchers for trips beyond the service area any day of the week, including Sundays when Dial-A-Ride does not operate.
The program will provide approximately 18 to 25 subsidized taxi trips daily using $15 vouchers toward taxi fares, with an annual budget of $440,000. Riders pay any fare amount exceeding $15.
Dial-A-Ride currently averages 19 trips per Sunday. The service does not operate Sundays under existing budget constraints, and the optimization plan does not restore Sunday paratransit service.
Future MAX Connection Requires Additional Funding
Transit staff indicated they plan to eventually connect Route 3 to MAX on the east side of the corridor, creating a complete BRT link from the Foothills Campus through downtown to the MAX line. However, that connection requires approximately $600,000 annually in additional operating costs not currently available.
"That's a priority for us and one that we're looking at as we're able to secure funding," Zeisel said.
The optimization plan maintains regional Flex service to Boulder and Longmont, Gold and Foothill Shuttle routes serving CSU, and the Horn route circulating between campus facilities. All of these contracted routes will continue operating under the 2027 network.
Council members expressed general support for the optimization principles while acknowledging concerns about specific route impacts. Several councilors emphasized the importance of continued stakeholder engagement, particularly with institutional partners like CSU and Front Range Community College.
Mayor Jeni Arndt said the extended development timeline reflects the city's careful approach. "The two cities have been working very, very well together," Arndt said, referencing ongoing coordination with Loveland. "With this step, I have a feeling the airport will be well cared for in the time that it takes to stand up an authority."
The optimization plan maintains flexibility to adjust routes, add service or increase frequency as additional revenue becomes available, including potential future increases in the 2050 climate tax allocation or new federal and state grant opportunities.
For questions about Transfort service planning, contact Fort Collins Transit Services at 970-221-6620 or visit ridetransfort.com.