The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting office at 2045 13th St., Boulder is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are available on Tuesday but are not required. Schedule an appointment.

Mobility Options (M4A)

Learn Your Mobility Options

Access to transportation intersects with all other aspects of our lives. With access to a wider variety of reliable, affordable transportation options, people of all ages, abilities, and incomes have better access to all other aspects of their lives. Personal savings increase, employment and school activities remains steady, stress goes down and health improves. From buses, to bikes, to rideshares, M4A makes it easy to try out your back up options and explore new modes of travel, before it’s a necessity, to see what works for you. Check out the resources below to see what transportation options are available in the Boulder County area.

Are You Spending Too Much on Transportation?

Rent and transportation costs should not exceed 45% of your monthly income. However, including gas, maintenance, parking, and insurance, the true cost of owning a car ranges from $8,000-$10,000 a year. This has increasingly become a challenge for many Boulder County residents. Exploring a diverse set of mobility options can provide opportunities to reduce some burden of your expenses.

Find the Mobility Option That's Right for You

Mobility Options by Type

Bike sharing is a transportation system that allows a large number of people to share a small number of bikes. This is accomplished through short station-to-station bike trips.

Once you purchase a pass, you can take as many short trips as you want for the duration of that pass at no additional cost. Trip limits are 30 or 60 minutes in Boulder, depending on the pass type.

  • Where: Boulder
  • Hours: Any
  • Cost: Starts at $5 for 30 min, monthly and annual passes available
  • Discounts:
    • Boulder Housing Partners: email boulder@bcycle.com for instructions
    • Low-income Access Program: email boulder@bcycle.com for instructions
    • Book-A-Bike Library Program: Check out at Main Branch of Boulder Public Library
    • CU students (sign up with CU Boulder identikey)
  • Registration: Required to ride and access discounts
  • Website: Boulder BCycle

Boulder Creek Transportation is a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) company operating in Boulder, Colorado. They provide specialized door-to-door NEMT services to people using wheelchairs, senior citizens and people with disability in the Boulder County Area.

  • Where: Must start in Boulder County to any location in the Front Range
  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am-6pm
  • Cost: Costs vary depending on distance and time of trip, please call for more information
  • Accessibility: WAV available upon request
  • Pre-Schedule: at least 24 hours in advance
  • Website: Boulder Creek Transportation
  • Email: info@bctransport.biz
  • Phone: 720-428-2526

Car sharing is a type of short-term car rental where you only pay for what you use, resulting in access to vehicles without the high cost of car ownership. This includes cars (electric, hybrid, and fuel efficient), AWD vehicles, and trucks in convenient locations that are accessible 24/7 to members.

  • Where: Boulder, Longmont, Louisville
  • Hours: Any
  • Cost: Hourly + mileage fee (insurance included)
  • Discounts:
  • BCHA/BHP Tenant Discount: Contact info@carshare.org
  • CU Boulder/CU Denver/Naropa Students: Contact info@carshare.org
  • Registration: Required
  • Website: carshare.org/sign-up/
  • Phone: 303-720-1185

Volunteer drivers provide transportation services to Broomfield and Boulder Veterans (ages 60+) for local medical trips (doctor, dentist, P.T., pharmacy, etc.) as well as trips to VA appointments in Denver, Aurora, Golden, Ft. Collins, Greeley, and Cheyenne.

  • Where: Boulder and Broomfield Counties
  • Hours: Varies
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: Service is not wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Required
  • Website:  VetsGo
  • Phone: 303-443-1933

A FREE shuttle bus service on weekends and holidays during the summer and fall to carry passengers to Eldorado Canyon State Park. Easy and affordable access to Colorado’s trails and nature.

  • Cost: Free to ride. A valid state parks pass to ride the shuttle into the state park or $4 cash/ adult (exact change only)
  • Borrow a State Parks pass and Backpack kit from the Boulder Public Library for free park access
  • Registration: None
  • Accessibility: Shuttle and shuttle stops are ADA accessible. In the park, the Fowler trail is wheelchair accessible.
  • Website: Eldo Shuttle
  • Phone: 303-441-4910

CDOT provides a service that connects riders with the great outdoors! Starting in Denver, the Elkstang stops at select Boulder and Lyons RTD Park and Rides and takes passengers to Rocky Mountain National Park!

  • Where: From Denver, Boulder, Lyons, to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Cost: Up to $15
  • Discounts: Available for older adults (65+), children (2-12), and people with disabilities
  • Registration: None
  • Accessibility: Bustang Buses are ADA accessible. In the park, there are ADA accessible trails, but it is recommended to call prior to ensure trail conditions are good.
  • Website: Bustang to Estes
  • Phone: (800)900-3011

Door through door service from drivers who are specially trained to assist older adults and people with disabilities and health concerns.

  • Where: Boulder, Metro Denver, Adams, and Jefferson counties
  • Hours: 7am-7pm
  • Cost: Starting at $35, varies by location
  • Accessibility: WAV upon request
  • Registration:
  • Phone: 303-335-5207
  • Email: essieleefoundation@gmail.com
  • Website: Essie Lee Foundations

In partnership with Lyft, Faith in Action provides rides to medical appointments for older adults and people with disabilities.

  • Where: To and From Boulder County; possible trips to other counties with Lyft
  • Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Recommended to book in advance, preferably 1 week notice, but 1-3+ business days for emergencies
  • Website: Ability Connection Colorado – Faith in Action
  • Email: jdaviesfia@aol.com
  • Phone: 303-666-9312

FLEX is a Northern Colorado regional bus route serving stops between Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Longmont, and Boulder. This service is operated by Transfort and is made possible through regional partnerships. Transfers to the RTD bus system are available in Longmont and Boulder.

  • Where: Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Not Required
  • Website: Transfort
  • Phone: 970-221-6620

GoGoGrandparent is a way to access ridehailing like Lyft and Uber without access to a smartphone. All you have to do is call the number below and someone will be able to help you with ordering your ride.

  • Where: Anywhere there are Uber and Lyft drivers
  • Cost: $0.27/minute, please call for quotes using real time traffic data
  • Accessibility: Options to accommodate for disabilities
  • Pre-Schedule: Up to 6 months in advance
  • Website: GoGo Grandparent
  • Phone: 855-464-6872

The Hessie Shuttle is a free seasonal transportation option that takes you to the Hessie Trailhead. The Hessie Trailhead is operated by the US Forest Services (USFS) and is a popular access point to USFS lands, including Indian Peaks Wilderness, Devils Thumb, Lost Lake, King Lake, Woodland Lake, and Diamond Lake trails.

  • Where: Drive or take RTD’s NB Route to Nederland High School
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible
  • Website:  Hessie Trailhead
  • Phone: 303-678-6200

HopSkipDrive is the innovative, safe transportation solution for schools, districts, government agencies, and families. You can book a ride by downloading the HopSkipDrive app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

  • Where: Boulder
  • Hours: 7 days/week
  • Service For: General Public, Ages 6+
  • Cost: Cost varies by time and distance
  • Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible
  • Pre-Schedule: None
  • Website: HopSkipDrive
  • Phone: 844-467-7547
  • IntelliRide manages non-emergency medical and non-medical transportation for Health First Colorado members in the state of Colorado.
  • Where: to Medicaid appointments
  • Cost: Free for Medicaid clients
  • Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Required, Need a Valid Medicaid ID
  • Pre-Schedule: 3 Business Days
  • Website: IntelliRide – Health First Colorado
  • Phone: 303-398-2155

Lime is a scooter-share program that supports riders in completing the first and last mile of their trip. The City of Boulder and Lime established a Lime Scooter pilot in Boulder. The scooters are available for ages 18 and above. The first time you use it, a safety setting is in place that ensures you can practice at a lower speed. Each scooter is equipped with automatic headlights and rear lights for safe night riding.

  • Where: Boulder, East of 28th Street ONLY
  • Hours: Any
  • Cost: $1 to begin + $ 0.35/min (no time limit)
  • Registration: Required, access through the Uber app
  • Website: Lime

Boulder County, in partnership with the Town of Lyons, City of Boulder, Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Via Mobility Services, is restoring commuter transit bus service along US 36 between Lyons and Boulder.  The service, rebranded as the “Lyons Flyer,” will replace the Y route, formerly operated by RTD.

The Lyons Taxi Voucher Program provides a transportation option for travel between Lyons and Boulder or between Lyons and Longmont. Vouchers can be picked up from multiple locations within Lyons. The vouchers cover the taxi fare on zTrip rides up to $45 one-way.

  • Where: Travel to/from Boulder and Lyons or to/from Longmont and Lyons
  • Hours:
    • To/From Lyons or Boulder:
      • Monday – Friday, 5 am – 6 am or 9 am – 4 pm
      • Saturday – Sunday, 5am – 7pm
    • To/From Lyons or Longmont:
      • Any day of the week, 5 am – 7 pm
  • Cost: The program covers rides up to $45 one-way
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) upon request
  • Website: https://www.townoflyons.com/370/Sustainability-Resources-Transportation
  • Phone: 303-823-6622, ext. 30
  • Email: lramsey@townoflyons.com

A free, fixed-route service between Ward and Rollinsville.

Ride Free Lafayette is an on-demand service, operating Monday – Sunday and Holidays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is free of charge. Riders will need to either call to schedule each trip or download the app to schedule trips. There is no way to set up reoccurring/standing trip requests. The service area is mostly just in Lafayette, but the Louisville King Soopers on S. Boulder Road is also included in the service area. Riders can reserve a trip byApp, Online, or Phone.

  • Where: Lafayette and Kestrel
  • Hours: Monday – Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Website: Ride Free Lafayette
  • Phone: 833-456-3359

Fixed route bus service

  • Where: Bus/rail schedule
  • Hours: Varies
  • Cost: Varies (Under $10)
  • Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
  • Discounts:
    • Discount for Low-income qualified households, older adults, and people with disabilities
    • Youth, 19 years and under, ride free for a year-long pilot starting September 1, 2023
    • Access-A-Ride participants ride fixed route buses for free
  • Website: Regional Transportation District (RTD)
  • Resources:
  • Phone:
    • General RTD Customer Care: 303-299-6000
    • RTD Transit Watch:
      • Call: 303-299-2911
      • Text: 303-434-9100.

Access-a-Ride is RTD’s ADA complementary paratransit service. It is a shared-ride service intended for those who cannot use regular fixed-route bus/light rail service due to a disability. Access-a-Ride is available during the same days and hours as the local RTD bus service. They offer curbside and door-to-door service, as well as subscriptions for passengers who make regular trips to the same destination.

Riders may take a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for free with them on trips, and they can take another guest for the same charge as an AAR rider.

You can schedule a trip within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in Colorado, as long as your starting point and destination are within 3/4 mile of RTD’s Local fixed-route transit system.

  • Where: Within ¾ miles of RTD fixed route
    • Check if you are in their service area at RTD’s Access-A-Ride site
  • Hours: Corresponds to RTD fixed-route hours and days excluding the hours of 2 AM and 3:59 AM
  • Cost: Starting at $5 one way
  • Exact change required
    • $5 or one ticket – local one-way trip
    • $20/person – Airport trip
  • Discounts:
    • Access-A-Ride certified riders can use the fixed route RTD service and RTD FlexRide for free
    • Access-A-Ride riders that are LiVE eligible get a discount on fares
    • Youth riders (19 and under) can ride for free starting September 1, 2023
  • Pre-Schedule:
    • 1-7 days in advance, if scheduling a ride one day before, complete prior to 5:00 PM
    • If taking guests or a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), schedule early and be sure to specify if your PCA and guests are ambulatory.
  • Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, ADA certified only
  • Registration: Required
  • Website: RTD: Access-a-Ride
  • Resources:
    • Access-A-Ride certified riders are eligible to enroll in Access-on-Demand which partners with Uber, Lyft and zTrip to provide subsidized ridehailing trips
  • Phone:
    • Schedule a Ride: Access-a-Ride Customer Portal or call 303-292-6560
    • Dispatch for Same Day: 303-480-2000
    • General RTD Customer Care: 303-299-6000

Access-on-Demand, formerly Access-A-Cab, is available to eligible Access-a-Ride customers as a curb-to-curb, same-day alternative service. The service providers now include Uber, Lyft, zTrip, and Metro Taxi.  Individuals with current eligibility for Access-a-Ride service may take up to 60 trips per month between the 4 on demand providers. RTD will pay for the first $25 of the trip cost, and the remaining portion is paid by the individual through the provider’s payment platform.

FlexRide provides extended bus service in specific Denver metro areas, delivering first- and last-mile connections to other RTD Park-n-Rides and stations, medical centers, and business parks. Similar to a ride share, FlexRide is available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Where: Longmont and Louisville
  • Hours: Varies
  • Cost: Starting at $3
  • Discounts: discounts for low-income households, older adults, children and people with disabilities
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Pre-scheduling rides is recommended
  • Website: rtd-denver.com/services/flexride
  • Phone: 303-299-6000

Passage Quality Mobile Transit is a full-service transportation service for those with disabilities and special needs in Boulder and Broomfield counties.

  • Where: Trips must start in Boulder and can go to any location in the Front Range.
  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Cost: Fares starting at $40 one-way
  • Accessibility: WAV upon request
  • Registration: Not required
  • Pre-scheduling: At least 24 hours
  • Website: Mobile Transit in Boulder
  • Email: passage08@aol.com
  • Phone: 303-847-9130

The Park-to-Park shuttle operates on summer weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend (late May) to Labor Day weekend (early September). For 2023, the shuttle begins operating Saturday, May 27, and runs through Monday, Sept. 4.

Access-A-Ride certified riders are eligible to enroll in Access-on-Demand which partners with Uber, Lyft and zTrip to provide subsidized ridehailing trips

Uber

Lyft

  • Where: Anywhere drivers are available
  • Cost: starting at $6
  • Accessibility: WAV not guaranteed, some drivers may have space for a wheelchair in their trunk
  • Registration: Smartphone app download required
  • Website: Lyft
  • Resources:

zTrip

zTrip is a ride hailing service, similar to a taxi. Call or go online to reserve a cab immediately or for the near future.

  • Where: Anywhere drivers are available
  • Cost: $2.50 flat + $2.25/mile
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) upon request
  • Website: zTrip
  • Phone: 303-699-8747

The Climb serves select mountain communities in western Boulder County managed by Via Mobility Services.

  • Where: Stops between Boulder, Poorman, Salina, and Gold Hill
  • When: Monday – Friday
  • Cost: Free
  • Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
  • Website: Via Mobility Services – The Climb
  • Phone:
    • 303-447-2848 (English)
    • 303-444-3043 (Español)

Via is a full-spectrum mobility manager offering paratransit and mobility options information and referral services. Via also provides a wide range of community and group educational resources related to transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and others living with mobility limitations.

  • Where: Boulder – Denver metro area
  • When: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Via Mobility Services has limited Town-to-Town options:
    • Boulder – Longmont: Mon, Wed, Fri – 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
    • Longmont – Lafayette: Tues only – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Boulder – Louisville – Lafayette: Wed, Fri – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Lyons – Longmont: Tues only – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Cost: As of September 1, 2023
    • In-Town: $6 each way
    • Town-to-Town: $12 each way
  • Discounts:
  • Pre-Schedule: 1-7 business days, can request same day ride
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Registration required: Via Registration
  • Website: Via
  • Phone: 303-443-3043

Via Mobility Services Family & Friends Mileage Reimbursement Program:

This program reimburses registered Via riders for the mileage expenses of family members, friends, or neighbors who provide a ride when Via cannot. It is designed to increase your transportation options and is not intended to subsidize rides you already depend on others to provide.

This program reimburses registered Via riders for the mileage expenses of family members, friends, or neighbors who provide a ride when Via cannot. It is designed to increase your transportation options and is not intended to subsidize rides you already depend on others to provide.

Did you know that walking just 10 minutes a day can help improve your mood and lift your spirits?

Want to Carpool but don’t know anyone with the same commute? Don’t worry, Way to Go can help find local matches for residents throughout metro Denver.

If you need help transporting your kids to and from school, Way to Go can help you get started with Schoolpool for FREE. Its system will connect you with families in your neighborhood to share in the responsibilities of getting the kids to school and back via carpooling, walking, biking or riding either RTD or the school bus together.

  • Where: See list of schools on website below
  • Cost: Free
  • Registration: Required
  • Website: DRCOG WayToGo School Pool
  • Phone: 303-458-7665

If you travel more than 15 miles one way to your job, Way to Go Vanpool will help you connect with other commuters and employees in your area, and then provide the vehicle, insurance, fuel and maintenance to commute by van to work and home together. There are several different vans to choose from, including 15 passenger vans, and there are options to make vans ADA accessible.

  • Where: Denver Metro Area
  • Cost: Varies – Cost is split among each vanpool members monthly
  • Registration: Required
  • Website: DRCOG Program – Vanpool
  • Phone: 303-458-7665

A Car Sharing option for University Colorado Boulder Affiliates (Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni)

  • Where: Round trip rides starting and ending in Boulder County
  • Cost: Annual Memberships available for University Colorado Boulder Affiliates
  • Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible
  • Registration: Required, Sign up on their website
  • Website: University of Colorado: ZipCar
  • Phone: 866-4ZIPCAR (866-494-7227)

Mobility Options by City/Town

Information and Referral Services

  • Denver Regional Mobility & Access Council (DRMAC)
    • Region/Area: Denver Metro Region (including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson Counties)
    • Contact Info
      • Email:
      • Phone: (303) 243-3113
  • RideNoCo
    • Region/Area: North Front Range Region (including Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, and Johnstown communities)
    • Contact Info
      • Email: mobility@nfrmpo.org
      • Phone: (970) 514-3636

Commuting to Work:

  • Boulder Transportation Connections
    • As one of eight Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) in the region, they assist businesses, employees, and residents within the City of Boulder in choosing more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable transportation options.
    • Contact Info
      • Email: info@bouldertc.org
      • Phone: (303)442-1044
  • Commuting Solutions
    • Commuting Solutions works in partnership with a regional network of eight Transportation Management Organizations (TMOs) throughout the Denver metro area.
    • Contact Info
      • Phone: (303)-604-4283
  • Smart Commute
    • Smart Communte services covers Adams County, Brighton, Broomfield, Commerce City, Dacono, Erie, Federal Heights, Firestone, Frederick, Longmont, Northglenn, Thornton, and Westminster
    • Contact Info