Johnstown will take ownership of approximately 3.9 miles of the Interstate 25 east frontage road after the Town Council approved the transfer Monday night in a 6-1 vote.
The roadway extends from Veterans Parkway — also identified as Weld County Road 50 and Larimer County Road 14 — north to Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The Colorado Department of Transportation formally relinquished the section in June, giving Johnstown 90 days to approve an agreement accepting the roadway as a Town street.
Councilmember Dee Anne Menzies cast the lone opposing vote. During the discussion, Menzies questioned what Johnstown would gain by taking ownership of the road and sought a clearer understanding of the benefits to the Town before assuming the long-term responsibility.
Town Manager Matt LeCerf responded by pointing to benefits Johnstown has already received through its relationship with CDOT, including bridge improvements and the state’s approval of artwork at the Colorado 402 interchange.
The transfer gives Johnstown greater local control over the frontage road but also shifts future responsibilities to the Town. According to the Council packet, Johnstown will become the permitting authority for access along the roadway and will assume responsibility for policing and traffic operations. Town staff said there is no immediate financial impact from accepting the road, although future maintenance costs will need to be considered.
Transfer Has Been Years in the Making
Johnstown’s interest in taking over the frontage road dates back to 2018, when the Town Council adopted a resolution indicating it would accept the roadway if CDOT first completed improvements requested by the Town. The arrangement was intended to ensure the road was in an acceptable condition before responsibility shifted to Johnstown.
On June 18, 2026, the Colorado Transportation Commission determined that the section between mile markers approximately 253.2 and 257.1 was no longer necessary as part of the state highway system and formally relinquished it to Johnstown. State law requires an affected municipality to adopt an ordinance accepting an abandoned highway segment before it becomes a municipal street.
Ordinance 2026-297 formally accepts the 3.9-mile segment and approves the intergovernmental agreement between Johnstown and CDOT governing the transfer.
What Changes for Johnstown
Taking ownership means decisions involving access along the frontage road will now fall under Johnstown rather than CDOT. That could give the Town more direct control over how properties and future developments connect to the corridor, while police and traffic responsibilities will also shift to the Town.
The tradeoff is long-term maintenance. Although staff identified no immediate financial cost associated with the transfer, Johnstown will ultimately have to account for maintaining the roadway as part of its local transportation system.
Monday’s approval converts what had been a proposed transfer into a new municipal responsibility along one of Johnstown’s major growth corridors.
The Johnstown Republic previously reported on the proposed transfer and the responsibilities Johnstown would assume. Read that earlier report here.
