Traffic checkpoint aims to reduce traffic congestion in Eldorado Springs

Boulder County, Colo. - In an effort to relieve summer season motor vehicle traffic congestion and car parking issues in Eldorado Canyon State Park, Boulder County is conducting a temporary traffic checkpoint east of Eldorado Springs for the first three weekends of June.

The Eldo checkpoint will be in place for motorists driving westbound on CO 170, also known as Eldorado Springs Dr., at the Doudy Draw Trailhead, on weekends starting Saturday, June 5 through Sunday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Checkpoint hours may be adjusted to match peak times if needed.

What: Eldorado Springs Dr. temporary traffic mitigation checkpoint
When: Weekends of June 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Westbound CO 170, located 1 mile east of Eldorado Springs, at the Doudy Draw Trailhead

This temporary checkpoint system is similar to the one that Boulder County has successfully implemented for the Hessie and Fourth of July Trailheads west of Nederland.

The purpose of the checkpoint is to limit state park-bound traffic as much as possible from continuing up to Eldorado Canyon State Park once parking lots are full. Sheriff’s Deputies and Park Rangers at the checkpoint will be instructed to not let motorists through until parking spots in the state park open up.

At the checkpoint, motorists heading to Eldorado Canyon State Park will be informed of the option to take the free Eldo Shuttle bus when parking at the state park is not available. The Eldo Shuttle is intended to address automobile parking and traffic congestion-related impacts in Eldorado Springs and within the state park. Visit EldoShuttle.com for complete shuttle information, routes and maps.

Land managers and government partners participating in this trial Eldo checkpoint include the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Parks & Open Space, Community Planning & Permitting, and Public Works; and City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and the Colorado Department of Transportation.

After the trial period is concluded the partner agencies will evaluate how effective the checkpoint is and determine if the checkpoint should continue or not through the remainder of the summer season.

Residents of Eldorado Springs have been issued resident passes that will allow them to continue driving westbound past the checkpoint. The passes are intended to limit the inconvenience of residents having to wait at the checkpoint and are a visual clue to the Deputy or Ranger at the checkpoint to allow residents to pass and not wait in line. Visitors traveling to Eldorado Springs businesses and residences will be allowed to pass through the checkpoint. Pedestrians and cyclists are not required to stop at the checkpoint.

There are numerous variables involved in this project that will be monitored to gauge the effectiveness of the checkpoint, including traffic flow on CO 170 and through the turnaround area at the Dowdy Draw Trailhead, and staffing availability at the checkpoint. These issues along with others will be monitored so adjustments can be made as the viability of the checkpoint assessed.

Eldorado Springs residents who did not receive a pass and would like one are asked to contact Carla Weinheimer at 303-441-4894 or cweinheimer@bouldercounty.org.

Suggestions and comments on this trial checkpoint are welcome, and may be submitted using this online form.