Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority
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Local governments and businesses across the Yampa Valley are partnering to create a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The RTA would enhance the quality of life for area residents and shape the region’s future by supporting our local workforce, increasing transportation options, improving roadway safety, connecting our communities, and strengthening regional collaboration.
- Supporting Workforce
- Improving the Transportation Network
- Making Roadways Safer
- Connecting Communities
- Cooperating Regionally
RTA Valley-Wide Beneifts
An RTA is a voter-approved organization that plans, finances and operates a regional transportation system. RTAs are governed by a board of elected officials representing each member community and are transparent and accountable to taxpayers.
The RTA’s valley-wide benefits include:
- Providing a valley-wide, year-round transit system to help workers get to their jobs safely and provide transportation options for all residents, including seniors and students.
- Creating new transportation options in the communities of Craig, Hayden, Oak Creek, Yampa, Stagecoach and Steamboat II.
- Improving safety along our roadways by reducing vehicles on the roads, partnering to enhance pedestrian and wildlife crossings, and making transit-access improvements.
- Serving as a local partner on emerging transportation initatives like Mountain Rail to help drive our region’s future economy and serve our local workforce.
- Demonstrating the collaborative spirit among our communities, employers and partners by developing and implementing community based, long-range transportation planning and service improvements.
What will be on the November 2025 ballot?
The activities of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority will be guided by a governing document that is called an intergovernmental agreement, or IGA. The IGA has been adopted by the board and councils of each participating jurisdiction, and now it must be approved by the voters to establish the RTA.
Each community that approves the IGA becomes a part of the Regional Transportation Authority and, in turn, is eligible to receive enhanced transportation services and be represented by one of their elected officials on the board of directors.
The 2025 ballot question will serve to form the Regional Transportation Authority and does not constitute a financial commitment.
How will the RTA be funded?
There are many funding options that may be used to support an RTA. The IGA that voters are being asked to approve details funding options that have been chosen by the Formation Committee for consideration, as well as those that have been excluded such as a property tax.
Seed money is being provided by the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation for formation of the RTA and to provide basic start-up services in the near term.
The RTA board, which will include elected officials from each member community, will prioritize transportation improvements and services and develop appropriate funding strategies to accomplish those goals. This will include the 20-year commitment from the Resort to provide $1 million per year.
Steamboat Springs Transit will continue to operate within the city, and the U.S. 40 service provided by SST will transition to the RTA.
Proposed Yampa Valley RTA Service Improvements:
The projects below are being considered by the RTA Formation Committee. Operational projects enhance service options and regional connections and infrastructure/partnership projects improve transportation facilities and support operational projects. The goal of each improvement is supporting local residents and workers, increasing accessibility across the region and making roadways safer.
Roadway Safety Improvements | Support roadway safety projects like crosswalks, pedestrian improvements and wildlife crossings through planning, coordination and financial support. |
Bus Stop Amenities + Access | Improve existing bus stops and connectivity to transit access points, and develop new bus stops along new, currently unserved corridors. |
| Park-and-Rides | Create new park-and-ride lots for commuters accessing the Highway 40 bus route and other new routes. |
| Airport Transport | Provide new ground transportation options to/from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport for employees, local residents, and visitors. |
Highway 40 Service | Increase the number and frequency of buses on Highway 40 between Craig and Steamboat Springs. |
| Craig Circulator | Establish a new circulator bus route within Craig that would serve both local transportation needs and connect to the Highway 40 bus route. |
| New Routes | Provide new bus routes to unserved areas such as Oak Creek, Yampa and South Routt County and unincorporated areas along Highway 40. |
| Rail Planning | Establish the RTA as a stakeholder in commuter and regional rail discussions and planning. |
Formation Committee
Committee formed for the establishment of a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and bringing the RTA to a vote of the electorate. Meetings are held every two weeks from January through March, then monthly through the ballot question in November 2025.
| Member | Title | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Randy Looper | Councilor | City of Craig |
| Michael Buccino | Councilor | City of Steamboat Springs |
| Sonja Macys | Commissioner | Routt County |
| Ryan Banks | Mayor | Town of Hayden |
| Melissa Dobbins | Mayor | Town of Oak Creek |
| Stacey Geilert | Mayor | Town of Yampa |
Formation Documents
- Executed Intergovernmental Agreement
- Summary of Terms of The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
- RTA Timeline
Individuals requiring an alternate format to access our digital services can complete the Request for Assistance Form.
Meeting Videos
RTA Formation Committee meeting videos can be found on the city's YouTube Channel.
- What is the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)?
- How can the RTA benefit the community?
- Who is working on Yampa Valley RTA Formation effort?
- How can an RTA improve regional transportation?
- How will this be funded?
- What services are being considered?
- Will rail be part of the RTA?
- Where can I learn more and how can I get involved?