Fort Collins Vision Zero: what the plan aims to do

Fort Collins' Vision Zero plan guides transportation decisions, with safety work focused on the High-Injury Network, where 63% of serious crashes happen on 8% of city roads.

Here's the city's Vision Zero goal, which roads were prioritized, what safety improvements it uses and how it tracks traffic safety.

What is Fort Collins' Vision Zero goal?

Fort Collins' City Council adopted Vision Zero with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries in the city by 2032. The city dates its Vision Zero commitment to 2023 and describes its target as eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes by 2032.

The city says it is committed to eliminating serious and fatal crashes through safer design, proactive planning and community partnerships.

Which Fort Collins streets were prioritized for safety work?

The Safer Streets Northwest study identified three high-priority listings:

• Shields Street between Mulberry Street and Lake Street, together with Stuart Street and Swallow Road
• Taft Hill Road between Mulberry Street and the Spring Creek Trail
• Laurel Street between Shields Street and College Avenue

Phase 1 in June 2025 gathered input on which northwest Fort Collins streets and segments to prioritize. The study combined that input with crash analysis and reviews of past plans and studies. The first two engagement phases ran from June through September 2025 and engaged more than 500 community members.

The city describes Safer Streets Northwest as a study that builds on its Vision Zero Action Plan, Active Modes Plan and Transportation Capital Improvements. The page describes the study as focused on major streets in northwest Fort Collins and as creating a plan for safety upgrades, street-design improvements and long-term improvements.

What street improvements does Fort Collins use to improve safety?

The NTMP is a partnership between residents and city staff to address traffic issues and concerns on neighborhood streets. Through the program, you can:

• Report issues such as speeding or cut-through traffic
• Help gather data and feedback about traffic behavior
• Work with staff on potential solutions
• Implement improvements such as signs, striping or street redesigns

Common physical improvements installed through the NTMP include speed bumps, raised crosswalks and curb extensions. Fort Collins operates more than 275 signalized intersections with advanced features intended to increase safety.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) are activated by pedestrians to stop traffic at mid-block crossings where standard traffic signals are not present. They stay dark until activated, flash yellow to warn drivers to prepare to stop, and show solid red while pedestrians cross.

Green bike lanes use high-visibility paint in areas where bikes and vehicles may conflict to increase awareness.

How does Fort Collins track traffic safety?

The City of Fort Collins compiles crash and safety information and tracks trends on public streets in Fort Collins. Traffic Operations analyzes intersection safety on the High-Injury Network and evaluates previous work to identify safety outcomes.

You can request the latest Traffic Safety Summary report by calling 970-221-6630.