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First step taken in creation of new multi-use trail

Published on August 28, 2023

A sidewalk trail path running alongside trees.

Plans for a new multi-use trail in southwestern Weld County have begun taking shape. Last week, the Weld County Board of Commissioners awarded the trail alignment and design of the project to Otak, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1 million.

A majority of the funding for the design of the trail — $900,000 — was awarded to Weld County via a grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The remaining funding will be contributed by Weld County, Mead, Longmont and Firestone, with each entity contributing $25,000.

The trail will be located south of Mead and east of Longmont, running along Weld County Road 26 and connecting into the St. Vrain trail system to the east. Evan Pinkham, Transportation Planner for the Weld County Department of Public Works, said after many discussions the location was chosen because each entity saw value in designing a trail ahead of future development in the area.

“Much of the area has not been developed and is still largely unincorporated at this time, and we have an opportunity to plan for a trail connection before more development occurs,” Pinkham explained. “Our goal is to connect to existing and planned trails in the area, which will better serve residents in our partner communities and in unincorporated Weld County.”

Specifically, the intent of the trail is to connect people to Union Reservoir, Mead High School and St. Vrain State Park. Pinkham also said the trail will connect to the Weld Legacy Trail, which sits behind the Southwest Services Center in Firestone and was completed in 2021.

Preliminarily named the “Weld County Road 26 Multipurpose Trail,” no start date for construction has been identified. Weld County will complete the design contract with Otak, Inc. to solidify the trail alignment and construction plans in the next year. Until then, Weld County and the project team will continue to seek grants to help fund construction of the trail.

Learn more about the Weld County Department of Public Works.