Boulder County creates region’s first communitywide transit pass program

Boulder County, Colo. – In partnership with residents of Gold Hill and other mountain communities, Boulder County has created the Climb Community Transit Pass to improve access to and from Boulder.

The program, the first of its kind in the region, continues Boulder County’s commitment to providing transportation options to residents by enhancing existing transit services.

The annual pass provides free, unlimited access to the “Climb” bus route from Ward and Gold Hill. The pass is available to residents who live within a half mile of the Climb route, including the areas of Ward, Gold Hill, Summerville, Salina, Four Mile Canyon and Logan Mill Road.

“Boulder County’s current transit subsidy program provides discounts to businesses and neighborhoods signing up for the RTD Eco Pass,” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “The Climb pass is similar to the RTD business and neighborhood Eco Pass program in that it helps people access and use the transit system. What is different about the Climb pass is that it is available communitywide, rather than on an individual neighborhood basis.”

Through the partnership, residents raise funds to cover the cost of the community pass contract. For every $2 raised, Boulder County contributes $3.

Residents and supporters of the Climb are asked to donate $120 per household to help provide the pass to their community. Residents who once paid $6 per day – or more than $120 per month – to ride the Climb can now ride the bus for an entire year for less than $120.

Boulder County is contributing up to $11,500 toward the program from the its Countywide Transit Education and Pass Support program, which uses a combination of funds from a Colorado Department of Transportation grant and matching county funds.

“While all residents have access to the pass free of charge, we ask that they show their support by making a donation to help keep the program running,” Climb owner/operator Phil Carter said. “Even donations of $20 can go a long way.”

The Climb is a nonprofit bus route that connects Ward and Gold Hill to Boulder via Fourmile Canyon Drive and Gold Hill Road. Service on the route started in early 2009 and provides peak commute-time service to the Boulder Transit Center and Twenty Ninth Street mall along Canyon Boulevard.

For more information about the Climb and the Climb Community Transit Pass, please visit www.the-climb.com or contact Boulder County Transit Coordinator Jared Hall at 303-441-4958 or jhall@bouldercounty.org.