Trails, transit systems, and infrastructure projects across Colorado will receive new funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) through its Nonattainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise (NAAPME). The agency has announced that 11 projects will benefit from the Community Clean Transportation Assistance Program (CCTAP), aimed at improving air quality in the Denver and North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area. This region is known for exceeding federal ozone standards.
The CCTAP supports efforts to reduce auto emissions by funding projects that promote walking, biking, public transit, and other forms of active transportation. Projects also focus on increasing safety and connectivity via upgrades to local infrastructure and mobility hubs.
Twenty applications were submitted for this round of grants. NAAPME selected 11 recipients after a review process that prioritized proposals supporting communities most affected by air pollution. In total, $17.3 million was awarded statewide.
“This program is vital in our commitment to improving air quality and mitigating the impact of motor vehicle emissions in the Denver and North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area,” said NAAPME Program Administrator Darius Pakbaz. “These projects represent a significant step forward in our efforts to create a cleaner, healthier Colorado, especially for our disproportionately impacted communities.”
Some cities are using the funds to expand ongoing work while others will launch new initiatives. Loveland plans to use its grant to build a mobility hub and enhance traffic flow at US Highway 34 and US Highway 287.
“The City of Loveland is proud to partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation and NAAPME on a project that will enhance two vital regional corridors,” said Loveland City Engineer Nicole Hahn. “By 2028, we aim to deliver transportation improvements that will reduce congestion, expand access to active modes of travel and contribute to better air quality for the entire Front Range community.”
Greeley’s grant will fund four mobility hubs integrating various transportation options.
Victoria Leonhardt, senior urban transportation planner for Greeley, stated: “These hubs will help improve access, reduce emissions, and support a stronger local economy by connecting people to more options — whether they walk, bike, ride transit, or drive electric,” Leonhardt said. “This project moves us closer to achieving the ‘Greeley on the Go 2045’ vision of a safe and connected city.”
Other funded projects include intersection upgrades in Weld County designed to improve both traffic flow and safety; expanded programs addressing environmental justice; multimodal trails in Estes Park; sidewalk improvements in Adams County; planning active transportation networks in Fort Collins; as well as support for Boulder County’s CO 119 corridor enhancements.
Each recipient aims not only at reducing vehicle emissions but also at increasing equitable access across communities that have historically faced higher levels of air pollution.
