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 $4.5 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 by fall 2027. Right-of-way acquisition is anticipated to occur through spring 2028. 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
Click to view larger image.
Project Detour
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are 8-foot paved shoulders necessary?
Wider shoulders improve the safety of the road by offering drivers a better view of the road, reducing run-off road crashes, and extending the lifespan of the outer parts of the road. Wider shoulders also offer room for vehicle recovery or breakdown.
Will the posted speed limit on CR 70 change once the construction is complete?
There are currently no plans to change the speed limit except for a possible reduction from 40 mph to 35 mph at the CR 70 & 15 roundabout intersection. Roundabouts naturally force traffic to slow down to 15–25 mph when entering the intersection.
Speed limits are set by speed studies and safety audits, which are not a part of this road improvement project.
Will widening the shoulders on CR 70 increase traffic?
Widening the shoulders on CR 70 is unlikely to cause a significant increase in traffic. Usually, increased traffic following a road improvement project happens when new travel lanes or road connections are added. Population growth and increased regional land development also affect traffic.
Can large vehicles and oversized trucks navigate the proposed roundabout?
Yes. The single-lane roundabout at CR 70 and CR 15 is designed to accommodate large vehicles.
How is this project being funded?
Funding is provided through:
- Larimer County capital improvement funds
- Federal transportation grants (Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund / Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant)
Where is the construction detour?
Traffic will be routed north to a detour on CR 11 and CR 15 to CR 72.
How will residents living along CR 70 access their properties during closures?
Access for residents in the construction area will be maintained. Contractors will coordinate with property owners ahead of any driveway disruptions.
How will mail delivery, trash pickup, and school bus routes function during road closures?
Larimer County coordinates with the U.S. Postal Service, local school districts, and trash haulers before construction starts. If service vehicles can’t access specific driveways, temporary centralized mailboxes and pickup locations will be set up at the edge of the construction boundary.
How will emergency service response times be affected during the detours?
Access for emergency services to properties in the closed areas of construction will be maintained throughout construction. Larimer County coordinates directly with local emergency services before construction.
What will Larimer County do about working hours, dust, and noise?
Construction work is restricted to daytime working hours on weekdays (usually 7 am to 6 pm) unless special requests are approved.
Gravel roads will be treated to minimize dust. Contractors will be required to use water trucks as needed for dust control.
Will the detour route and intersections at CR 15/CR 72 and CR 72/CR 11 be able to handle detour traffic?
Yes. Improvements have been made, and any obstructions have been cleared to ensure the area is prepared for detour traffic. The detour routes will be regularly inspected and maintained to reduce wear and tear issues throughout construction.
How long will traffic be detoured onto CR 72?
The CR 72 detour will be utilized during active construction phases, which are scheduled between 2027 and 2029.
Will utility services (water, electricity, internet, gas) be shut off during construction?
Utility relocations are scheduled before construction to reduce service interruptions. If service interruptions are required, (usually to connect new utility lines), utility providers are required to notify impacted residents.
Are dedicated bike lanes or pedestrian paths included in the design?
No. However, expanding the paved shoulders will improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and agricultural machines that use the road.
How will existing irrigation ditches, canals, and field access points be impacted?
The proposed construction design (which includes concrete box culverts) improves or maintains overall drainage capacity while preserving existing water flow. Larimer County Engineering is working with the ditch company and landowners to maintain field access and irrigation schedules during construction.
For CR 70 (CR 11 to CR 13)
Matt Johnson, Project Manager
(970) 498-5724
email Matt
For CR 70 (CR 13 to CR 15) and CR 15 Intersection
Devin Traff, Project Manager
(970) 498-5731
email Devin
