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DRCOG in the News

Check out recent news stories and articles featuring Denver Regional Council of Governments.

Articles

Is a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare supplement plan a better financial decision?

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program in Colorado is the best place for impartial, reliable information from their many experts. One of those experts is Lauren Bell at the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), who helped us sort out the details in the two primary vehicles that help to deliver your coverage. 9News, Nov. 30

Funds OK'd for three components of bus rapid transit between Boulder and Longmont

The Denver Regional Council of Governments — which includes members from dozens of Denver metro area municipal and county governments — awarded $8.15 million toward installing a bus bypass lane on two miles of the Diagonal, and bringing bus lane improvements to 28th and Coffman streets in Boulder and Longmont, respectively. Colorado Daily, Nov. 30

Denver: Here's How Much Income You Need To Buy A House

A new study ranks Denver near Washington DC in challenges to affordability of median-priced housing stock. In the metro-Denver suburban corridor, median salaries are around $71,926, according to the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Colorado Patch, Nov. 15

An international lens on sprawl

As cities around the world are enveloped in sprawl, its health and sustainability problems are going global. “One study by the Denver Regional Council of Governments found that conventional suburban development would cost local governments $4.3 billion more in infrastructure costs than compact, ‘smart growth’ through 2020, only counting capital construction costs for sewer, water, and road infrastructure. Congess for New Urbanism, Nov. 13

Mental stability can be challenge for aging

Isolation, depression key issues as seniors go through life changes. About six in 10 older residents say availability of mental health care is “good” or “excellent” in Douglas County, according to the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults from the Denver Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging. Northglenn/Thornton Sentinel, Oct. 31

Waze Announces Carpool Option During Go-Tober Competition

It’s Go-Tober and the competition is on. “People are competing for bragging rights to see who can shift the most into those smarter modes of transportation,” said Steve Erickson with the Denver Regional Council of Governments. CBS4, Oct. 10

Colorado commuters can get discounted or free rides as Google’s Waze carpool service goes national

Seeking to reduce traffic in metro Denver, DRCOG partners with Google-owned navigation app as it rolls out new service. Denver Post, Oct.10

Top 10 Largest Affordable Communities Completed in Denver

The Kestrel community, a Boulder County Housing Authority development, is located at 1890 Kaylix Ave. in Louisville, Colo. It encompasses 200 one-, two- and three-bedroom units, available for both families and senior residents, a community room, playground and 350 parking spaces. Last year, the project received the Denver Regional Council of Governments award for incorporating a number of sustainable and modern elements such as geothermal heating and cooling as well as low-energy use appliances into all 18 buildings. Multihousing News, Oct. 4

Beyond state projects, Colorado transportation sales tax would bring a bonanza for cities and counties

A proposed transportation sales tax on Colorado’s ballot this fall would “fund over 100 projects statewide,” as a recent TV ad says in promoting the measure, but that’s just the start. The sales tax’s backers implicitly are asking voters to place significant trust in future government decisions. Those will be spread among the state’s Transportation Commission, more than a dozen transportation planning organizations that review project priorities at a regional level — such as the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) in the metro area — and local elected officials across Colorado. Denver Post, Sept. 30

Arvada's 'Age Friendly' Resources In The Spotlight

Lifelong Colorado is a growing collaboration among Colorado's Governor's Office, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), AARP, Colorado Counties Inc., the Colorado Municipal League, and several communities around the state. It will be co-chaired by Colorado's Chief Operating Officer and Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne and John Suthers, mayor of Colorado Springs. Colorado Patch, Sept. 20

R TOWN: Aurora’s not on board light rail

Low gas prices and the metro’s strong economy will likely keep many commuters sequestered in automobiles, said Ron Papsdorf, director of transportation planning and operations at the Denver Regional Council of Governments. That’s even as the number of metro commuters in single-occupancy cars continues to decline. Papsdorf echoed calls for patience and said the R-Line is still a young transit system, but he’s optimistic that ridership will rebound. Aurora Sentinel, Sept. 20

Your First Look at Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's Proposed 2019 Budget

Denver also continues to leverage funding from regional partners and in 2019, capital funding is reserved as match for the 2020-2023 Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Westword, Sept. 13

Free Carpool Program Helps Parents & Students Get Extra Sleep

Parents are coming together to get their kids to school and cut down on traffic thanks to a free carpool program through Way to Go. CBS4, August 28

CAR-LESS IN COLORADO: Ditching your auto in the metroplex is possible, and a wheel pain

Winna MacLaren, a public relations coordinator for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, said sometimes it just takes a little persuasion to get people to switch over from driving to taking public transportation. Like me, they don’t think they can do it until they do. Aurora Sentinel, August 23

Network of Care

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Area Agency on Aging is the place to be for help for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and their families. We’re dedicated to making sure you get connected to the resources you need to age well and independently. 9News, August 3

Where to expect campus construction at CU Boulder this year

Construction is ongoing for a slate of big-ticket projects, and design work is ongoing for another slate of planned projects. Work is expected to start, tentatively, in 2019. The new bridge will cost an estimated $6 million — with 80 percent covered by the Denver Regional Council of Governments — and is expected to be completed some time in 2020. The Bond Buyer, August 3

Electric Scooters (Nearly 2,000 This Time!) Are Coming Back to Denver

You thought things were crazy when a few hundred scooters infiltrated Denver back in May? Get ready for a heck of a lot more. Nearly 2,000 of the two-wheeled rides will be landing in Denver over the next two months. Lime is partnering with organizations like BikeDenver, Bicycle Colorado, Walk Denver, and Denver Regional Council of Governments to provide more information to prospective Lime users. 5280, July 31

I-70 overhaul: What you need to know as Denver’s first major freeway project in more than a decade starts this week

Commuters who rely on Interstate 70 northeast of downtown Denver are still two years from the most jarring moment of the highway’s $1.2 billion expansion project. Hickenlooper, recent CDOT directors and city leaders have stood by the project against recurring community and legal challenges. Transportation officials maintain the project is worthwhile. “As the region continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, projects like Central 70 are important for providing regional mobility,” said Ron Papsdorf, director of transportation planning for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. “As with any improvement project, there will be challenges during construction, but the region will benefit from improvements along this important corridor.” Denver Post, July 29

Why driving alone is bad for your business

The way your team gets to the office is part of their work experience, and the commute is almost always a factor in whether someone chooses to work at your company or not. Another job may not have such a boring commute, so you’ll have to compensate in other ways to keep your awesome team. Don’t be a curmudgeon. Make commuting fun. Make your team smile. Every year the Denver Regional Council of Governments teams up with Denver area employers to challenge employees to commute differently. They engage individuals in a fun competition with novel prizes and events like mobile gaming trucks and ice cream deliveries, making getting out of your car even more fun. July 7, Santa Monica Daily Press

Foothills staff take Bike to Work Day seriously

Foothills Park & Recreation District staff members took part in their own version of Bike to Work Day at Clement Park on June 27. The Denver Regional Council of Governments estimates that more than 35,000 people traveled nearly 625,000 miles on June 27, according to the DRCOG website. July 5, Columbine Courier

Your 2018 Guide to Bike to Work Day in Denver

The Denver Regional Council of Governments uses Bike to Work Day to better understand travel behavior. This is the agency in charge of regional planning, doling out federal dollars to the Denver metro area. They want to know where people bike and who participates. June 26, Streetsblog

Denver’s Bike to Work Day is Wednesday — and it’s a chance for many Denverites to try something new

Last year’s Bike to Work Day saw over 30,000 people commute to their workplaces on two wheels and with city’s high priority on car-alternative forms of mobility, we could see even more at this year’s event, which happens on Wednesday. June 25, Denverite

Ditch the car keys: Bike to Work Day is next Wednesday

Bike to Work Day is celebrated in many communities along the Front Range and in the mountains, but our region's event is the largest in the state. The City of Boulder first celebrated Bike to Work Day in 1977. CDOT then began promoting it statewide, and in 1995 the Denver Regional Council of Governments began helping the area's cities and counties link their individual events together. June 20, 9News

Bike To Work Day Draws 20,000 Cars Off The Road

Bike to Work Day is hosted by Way To Go, which is a division of DRCOG. It’s dedicated to reducing traffic congestion, improve air quality and make life better for residents in the region. June 20, CBS4

Bike to Work Day

Trade in the highway drive for the Greenway Trail in this regional event. The city and Smart Commute Metro North are hosting a rest station complete with free food, drinks and promotional items on hand. Sponsored by the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Go to www.biketoworkday.us to register or for more information. June 11, Lakewood Sentinel

Rents Are Rising In Broomfield: New Study

According to data for Broomfield compiled by the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the city/county has 7,935 units of renter-occupied housing (or 32 percent of the total 24,581 households). The data show how prices have increased. In 2016, the median monthly renter costs in Broomfield, according to DRCOG were $1,417. In comparison, median home-owner costs were $1,589. June 7, Colorado Patch

County officials update public on Quiet Zone project

Boulder County Transportation Department held an informational meeting May 14 at Niwot High School to update the public on the status of the Quiet Zone project along Highway 119 between Boulder and Longmont. The project is funded by a grant received from the Denver Regional Council of Governments ($1.4 million) and an additional $300,000 from Boulder County Transportation. May 16, Left Hand Valley Courier

Roaring Fork Technologists empowers through collaboration

It was just going to be a Facebook page, Justin Lewis insisted about the Roaring Fork Technologists group he founded early last year. Lewis, a software developer from Washington who migrated to Denver, had bought a house in Marble. And while he loved the lifestyle and serenity his new zip code offered, he also felt professionally isolated. Sure he wasn’t the only one, he created Roaring Fork Technologists. April 25, Sopris Sun

County receives Metro Vision award

Clear Creek County recently received the 2018 Metro Vision Award by the Denver Regional Council of Governments to recognize the county’s efforts to establish the Idaho Springs Clinic and the county’s Prospector bus. May 9, Clear Creek Courant

Lone Tree’s solution to ‘last-mile’ dilemma receives top honor

DRCOG recognizes programs that shuttle light rail riders to final destinations. May 8, Lone Tree Voice

Lakewood playground, outdoor fitness zone earns award

Lakewood's newest and most inclusive park recently earned the city a 2018 Metro Vision Award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. May 7, Lakewood Sentinel

Idaho Springs, EDC commission parking study

It’s no secret that finding a parking place in Idaho Springs can be tricky during busy parts of the year, so Idaho Springs and the Clear Creek Economic Development Corp. hope to find a solution with a $15,000 study. Money for the “comprehensive parking strategy” comes from the CCED and, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and contributions from local business owners. May 2, Clear Creek Courant

State of the City Address offers update on Lone Tree

More than 300 people attended the annual State of the City Address at the Lone Tree Arts Center on May 17, where Mayor Jackie Millet addressed issues of growth, transportation and upcoming projects in the city. Attendees were treated to a video of Millet and city councilmembers taking a ride on the city's award-winning Link shuttle, narrating various highlights of the city. Lone Tree recently received the Metro Vision Award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments for the innovative free shuttle service that links riders from the Lincoln light rail station to major campuses within Lone Tree. May 22, Lone Tree Voice

Centennial council approves transportation agreement with other governments

The entities entering into the agreement, in addition to Centennial, are Arapahoe County, Aurora, Bennett, Bowmar, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Deer Trail, Englewood, Foxfield, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton and Sheridan. The role of the city will be to make recommendations to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) “to ensure adequate transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of Arapahoe County Residents …” Transportation improvements that will be eligible for funding may include such items as traffic signals, intelligent transportation systems and other projects. April 18, South Metro Villager

Longmont traffic study suggests elevating Colo. 119 over Hover Street, underestimates bicyclists

A study that suggests eliminating an intersection of major roadways by elevating Colo. 119 over Hover Street in southwest Longmont was criticized last week by residents who say it underestimated its count of bicyclists using the area's roads. Longmont Civil Engineer Micah Zogorski said the city may again collect data this summer to gain a clearer picture of bicycle traffic volume in a peak riding month.The city agreed to pay $375,000 to Short Elliott Hendrickson for the study and its design recommendations, with $300,000 coming from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. April 16, Colorado Daily

$10.7 million CU project calls for building three bridges over Boulder Creek

At 19th Street, across the creek roughly to the CU Recreation Center, the university is planning a $6 million bridge, with $4.8 million covered by the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the rest paid by CU. The bridge will replace the 19th Street Bridge, which was destroyed in 2013. April 3, Denver Post

Here's How Much You Need To Earn To Live In Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County is one of the priciest places to live in Colorado, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The organization recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of America's 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas. According to the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the median household income in the Arapahoe County is $69,459. But, compared to Broomfield, that might seem like a bargain. March 24, Colorado Patch

More than 100 older Coloradans searching for homes after assisted-living closures

The Denver Area Agency on Aging says more than 100 Coloradans are looking for a new place to live because of a series of closures. In the last two months, six assisted-living facilities have closed in the Denver metro area. For the people forced to look for a new home, their options are limited. Jayla Sanchez-Warren is with the Denver Area Agency on Aging and oversees the group helping them find another place. March 2, 9News

Denver’s family neighborhoods are increasingly to the east

When it comes to Denver's family neighborhoods, we know two things for sure: where families live now and where they lived before. What's difficult is predicting where they'll be even five years from now. You can take a look at what's being built for clues - those cranes looming over the skyline aren't building a whole lot of family housing in north and central Denver. Xavier Gitiaux, the research economist at DRCOG and lead on the Strategic Regional Analysis, said housing costs can play out differently in different neighborhoods depending on history and size units. Feb. 20, Denverite.com

Imagine if everyone in Buffalo moved to Denver. That's what traffic will be like in 2040.

Over the next 20 years, the Denver metro area's population growth will be like every person in Buffalo, N.Y. packed up their bags and came here. Feb. 14, 9News

Proposed sales tax increase could boost funding for transportation projects

A booming population across the Front Range has created traffic snarls on critical corridors like Interstate 25 as commuters drive to work. According to a 2016 report by Denver Regional Council of Governments, commuters spend 40 hours per year sitting in traffic. Feb. 22, Colorado Independent.

Cyclists brave chilly temps for Winter Bike to Work Day

More people are trading their cars for bicycles for the 6th annual Winter Bike to Work Day. Feb. 9, 2018, CBS4

Winter Bike to Work Day

Winter Bike to Work Day in Denver. Feb. 9, 2018, ABC7

Proposed sales tax increase could boost funding for transportation projects

A booming population across the Front Range has created traffic snarls on critical corridors like Interstate 25 as commuters drive to work. According to a 2016 report by Denver Regional Council of Governments, commuters spend 40 hours per year sitting in traffic. Feb. 22, Colorado Independent.

Media Date: 
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 - 11:30pm
Media Date: 
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 - 11:30pm