Owl Canyon Improvements

Overview

As part of the Owl Canyon Roadway Corridor Plan, Larimer County is beginning safety and capacity improvements along County Road 70 between County Road 11 and County Road 15. Key Improvements will include the following:

• Roadway: Reconstructing and widening a two-mile section of CR 70 between CR 11 and CR 15. The new roadway will add 8’ paved shoulders in both directions.
• Roundabout: Building a single-lane roundabout at CR 70 and CR 15.
• Structure Replacement: Replacing four (4) bridges and two (2) concrete box culverts with longer concrete box culverts that will accommodate the widened roadway.
• Drainage Improvements: Curb & gutter, storm inlets, and concrete culverts will be installed to improve drainage.

Location

Project Background

Owl Canyon Road serves as a vital connection between I-25 and Highway 287 approximately four miles north of Wellington. In 2008, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Owl Canyon Corridor Project to complete improvements that will accommodate anticipated traffic growth on this important connection. This set in motion the process to engage the public, complete the design, and build the road as funding became available. To date, approximately 8.5 miles of Owl Canyon Road have been completed. Three miles remain to be completed between CR 9 and CR 15; of these, two miles between CR 11 and CR 15 have identified funding and are moving towards construction.

Project Status and Budget

CR 70 between CR 11 and CR 15 has been divided into three phases:

• CR 70 between CR 11 and CR 13: Design and right-of-way acquisition are complete, and the project has been advertised for construction. Construction is expected to begin in November and is anticipated to continue through summer 2027. This phase of construction is estimated to cost approximately $6 million and is funded through a Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) as well as County funds.
• CR 70 between CR 13 and CR 15: Design is approximately 90% complete, with right-of-way and utility coordination underway. Design and right-of-way acquisition are expected to be complete in spring 2027 with construction advertisement anticipated in summer 2027. Construction is planned to begin in November 2027 and will continue through winter 2028/2029. This phase of construction is estimated to cost approximately $8.5 million and is funded by County funds.
• CR 70 and CR 15 Intersection: Design is approximately 60% complete and is anticipated to be finalized in spring 2027. Right-of-way acquisition is anticipated to occur through fall 2027. Construction timing will depend on the progress of earlier phases and detour considerations; it is currently anticipated to begin in fall 2028 and continue through 2029. This phase of construction is estimated to cost approximately $5 million and is funded through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant and County funds.

Project Schedule

Monthly Status Updates

View current updates and monthly progress for the County Road 70 project on the Larimer County Project Status Reports page:

CR 70 between CR 11 and CR 13 (PN 329)

CR 70 between CR 13 and CR 15 (PN 352)

CR 70 and CR 15 Intersection (PN 353)