Transportation

The transportation sector includes the movement of people and goods by car, truck, train, ship, airplane, and other methods of transit. The majority of GHG emissions from transportation are CO2 emissions resulting from combustion of petroleum-based products in internal combustion engines (ICE). The largest sources of transportation-related GHG emissions include passenger cars, medium- to heavy-transport trucks and light-duty vehicles, including sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. The EPA has indicated these sources account for over half of the emissions from the transportation sector. The remainder of GHG emissions come from other modes of transportation, including commercial aircrafts, ships, boats, and trains. 

Current Projects

Fleet Electrification 

Working with the Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition, Broomfield is implementing a 20-year plan to replace all internal combustion fleet vehicles (as technology allows) with fully electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The Broomfield fleet consists of 294 On-Road Vehicles and 88 Off-Road Vehicles. Delivery of the first EVs and PHEVs is scheduled for late 2022.    

Electric Vehicle Parking Ordinance

After a review of the electric vehicle (EV) development proposal, during a public hearing on August 9, 2022, City Council approved the electric vehicle (EV) parking ordinance, which will be effective on October 1, 2022. Among other requirements for commercial and multi-family developments, new single family and duplex dwellings must include at least one EV-Ready parking space per dwelling unit. The requirement to provide EV parking is applicable to only new development and not existing residences or businesses.

Broomfield Owned and Operated Charging Stations 

Broomfield has installed two, publicly accessible, level 2 charging stations on City property. These projects were completed with funds granted by Charge Ahead Colorado and are located at:

• Broomfield Health and Human Services Building at 100 Spader Way
• Paul Derda Recreation Center at 13201 Lowell Blvd

Where is Broomfield Right Now?

Current US GHG transportation emissions are 29% of the overall GHG emissions in the prevailing atmosphere. Reducing transportation emissions regionally will effectively contribute to national goals and efforts towards establishing long term air quality improvement. Regional transportation planning can play a role in reducing air quality impacts, including strategies such as Transportation Demand Management (TDM), which encourages employers to create new incentives and initiatives to reduce employee commuter traffic. 

Wherever possible, Broomfield seeks to align with the DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) Metro Vision Performance Metrics: 

• 20% housing near high frequency or rapid transit 
• 25% housing in urban centers (currently along Highway 36 and I-25/CO-7) as defined by DRCOG 
• 45% employment near high frequency or rapid transit 
• 50% employment in urban centers 
• 35% of commuters use travel mode other than SOV 
• 10% decrease in vehicle miles traveled per capita per day per the baseline of 2010 

Electric Vehicles

Do you have range anxiety? Not to worry! Check out this interactive map to plan your next trip or find the EV charging station closest to you.  

Electric Vehicles (EVs) do not require gasoline as their primary source of fuel and therefore do not directly emit greenhouse gasses (GHGs). While the majority of the electrical grid remains run by fossil fuels, EVs offer a cleaner form of transportation even when charged by legacy technologies. 

Current Broomfield demographics and traffic patterns highlight the need to switch from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs to reduce GHGs. Broomfield has the opportunity to lower carbon emissions and ozone dramatically by increasing EV adoption and infrastructure. 

Colorado ranks among the top three US states for EV adoption rates. While prices may be higher initially, individuals can save up to $4,600 in maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle, in addition to average $800-$1000 annual fuel savings. As EV demand and availability increases, the price for an EV will drop further, making EVs more accessible to a broader spectrum of consumers. In addition, used models of EVs are starting to become available, creating more accessibility to those who can not afford a new EV. 

Broomfield is well positioned for implementation of an expanded EV charging infrastructure, as it has been designated a key link in the statewide EV network due to its prime location between Boulder and Denver along the US 36 corridor and between Denver and Fort Collins along the I-25 corridor. 

Multimodality 

Multimodality describes the multiple ways community members can get to work, school, recreation, shopping, and other destinations. These methods include walking, biking, riding feeder public transportation systems (i.e., utilizing bus transport to connect with commuter rail), and other options other than the one-person-one-car model. 

Today, 86% of Broomfield residents travel outside of the area for work, while 88% of Broomfield-based employees travel into the city/county. To alleviate these challenges, one solution employed by many regions is the development of a robust multimodal transportation system. 

In addition to GHG generated through commuting. GHG is also generated by short, local trips. DRCOG data indicates that in the Denver region 43% of all trips are less than three miles and 19% of trips are less than one mile. Well-connected, high-comfort regional active transportation corridors, pedestrian focus areas, short-trip opportunity zones, and local active transportation networks work together to create the conditions necessary to make bicycling and walking viable for everyday trips and reduce unnecessary Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) trips. 

Broomfield continues to invest in multimodal transportation and micromobility (e-bikes, scooters, bicycles and motorcycles) as a way to connect the community in a way that safely and efficiently accommodates the diverse needs of local citizens. 

Recommended Transportation Policies and Programs 

As laid out in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan presented to the City Council by ACES and the Sustainability staff in 2022, the recommended high impact strategies to reduce emissions from transportation are the following: Also check out other community Transportation Resources.